Asheville Reporter

Asheville City government offices will be closed on Thursday, November 28, and Friday, November 29, 2024, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. This closure affects various city services and facilities.

Points of Distribution (PODs) and Community Care Stations will halt operations on Thursday but will reopen on Friday. These PODs distribute non-potable water, bottled water, MREs, and blankets while Community Care Stations provide additional services.

The ART bus service will not operate on November 28. "Thanksgiving is one of two holidays during which the City of Asheville’s ART system closes." More information about ART routes can be found at RideTheArt.com or by contacting the city's transportation office.

Sanitation services, including trash and recycling collection, will be suspended on Thanksgiving Day. Collections scheduled for Thursday will occur on Friday instead. Customers should place their carts at the curb by 7 a.m. Yard waste collection remains limited to specific types and days. For further inquiries regarding sanitation services, residents can contact the City of Asheville or Curbside Management for recycling questions.

Storm debris collection pauses on November 28 with limited operations resuming over the weekend and full operations restarting December 2.

Most parks in Asheville are open following Hurricane Helene with some exceptions. All APR community center buildings will close for both holiday days; however, outdoor amenities remain accessible from 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

Events planned for November 23 include the Holiday Jamboree in Pack Square Park from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Friendsgiving Potluck at Burton Street Community Center from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center's turkey giveaway from 1-6 p.m. The Holly Jolly Holidays series starts December 4 with various activities scheduled throughout the month.

Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville operates only Tuesday and Wednesday during Thanksgiving week but closes for the holiday itself. The Aston Park Tennis Center also closes on Thanksgiving Day but reopens on Friday with normal hours until season end on November 30. The golf course follows similar closure plans but reopens with restricted play to back nine holes only.

The WNC Nature Center remains closed due to ongoing recovery efforts post-Hurricane Helene.

Water Resources staff are available around-the-clock for emergencies related to water issues over the holiday period. Residents should report any problems using the customer service line provided by the city.

Public safety services continue as usual without interruption during this time.