After successfully finishing two nights camping at our second Lake Eden Arts Festival, I feel like I can finally and confidently call my family of four LEAF-ers. The spring LEAF was held two weeks ago in Black Mountain and our first one to attend was in the fall.
So what exactly is LEAF for you non-LEAF-ers? (Already sounding like a LEAF snob.) Simply put, it’s a four-day music and arts family festival on Lake Eden just outside of Asheville. Yes, there are hippies which is always the first question or comment when I mention LEAF to a friend. But seriously, have you ever known a mean, violent, trouble-making hippie? Let’s face it, they’re lovely people. They smile; spread peace and love; wear colorful, happy patterns; and sport magnificent man buns. Camping for a weekend with a thousand other campers and living the non-conventional lifestyle with some certifiable hippies had us all flashing peace signs and donning brightly-patterned head scarves by the end of Sunday.
LEAF is like a small, pop-up community tucked in the mountains with amazing food (think food trucks from the best Asheville restaurants), talented musicians, beautiful art, and activities galore for the kids. Puppet shows, stomp rocket stations, ziplining into the lake, kayaking, yoga, ninja warrior training, juggling, and so on. And get this…not one activity included a screen. Zilch. Screen-LESS. I actually saw my children play. PLAY! Kids everywhere were playing. Outside! They rolled down the hills, roasted marshmallows, played Tag, made up games, and talked to each other. With their mouths. No texting! It was a beautiful thing.
And wait for it…My teenager spoke WORDS to me. Actual words! I’d ask a question and instead of the, “I dunno,” shoulder-shrug response, he responded in a full sentence with added inflection to his voice indicating interest in what I was speaking. I mean, can you believe it?! Moms of teen boys, can I get an “Amen?!”
This is the number one reason we do LEAF – to spend quality, old-fashioned time with our kids. It’s the perfect place to kick back for a weekend, eat great food, and simply play. It also happens to be a fantastic place for a photographer to roam. Which is what I did. Camera at the ready.
So here are a few of the more interesting characters and activities from LEAF. Don’t forget, the tickets sell out so get yours early. Hope to see you at the next one!
Man bun and Potter
Stomp rocket station (breaking the distance record)
Roasting marshmallows
Until next time…
