RADFest Marks the Return of Asheville’s River Arts District After Hurricane Helene
Crowds gathered across Asheville’s River Arts District in November 2024 to celebrate the district’s soft reopening following the devastation of Hurricane Helene.
The event, known as RADFest, brought together artists, musicians, small businesses, and community members to support the hundreds of artists whose studios were damaged or destroyed during the historic flooding.
The storm, which struck Western North Carolina on September 27, caused catastrophic flooding when the French Broad River surged through the district. Nearly 80 percent of the River Arts District was damaged, leaving many artists displaced from their studios.
RADFest marked one of the first major public events in the district following the disaster, with visitors filling the streets along Roberts Street, Artful Way, Clingman Avenue, and Depot Street to support local artists and businesses.
Artists sold work from tents and temporary spaces while musicians and DJs performed throughout the district.
The event became a powerful symbol of the community’s determination to rebuild.
Despite the destruction caused by the storm, artists across the district continued creating, rebuilding studios, and welcoming visitors back to Asheville’s creative hub.
For many attendees, the festival represented more than a reopening. It was a celebration of the resilience, creativity, and collective spirit that defines Asheville’s River Arts District.