North Carolina
Asheville Orchid Festival brings ‘best of the best’ to region
ASHEVILLE – The Asheville Orchid Festival will return in all its showy glory for 24th time March 27-29.
The festival, hosted by the Western North Carolina Orchid Society and the North Carolina Arboretum, will have an “Orchid Kingdom” theme this year, and will be an American Orchid Society sanctioned judging event.
Festivalgoers can expect to experience world-class orchid growers and breeders, regional orchid societies displays and hundreds of orchids presented in displays.
Orchids will be for sale from across the United States and Ecuador and will include rare species and cutting-edge hybrids.
“The Asheville Orchid Festival has been recognized as one of the best orchid shows in the country today,” Mike Mims, past president of the WNC Orchid Society said. “A huge orchid festival that is unlike any other orchid event in the region and lures the best of the best in the orchid industry to come to Asheville for a few days to engage and show off.”
WNC Orchid Society President Graham Ramsey, and his wife, artist Leslie Keller, each year create a theme for the festival.
Last year the two created the “House of Orchids” theme to transport visitors to another time, with a Victorian-inspired model greenhouse.
“Usually we arrive at a theme, believe it or not, when we’re out hiking. We try to think of a theme that we can also come up with a neat display to match,” Ramsey previously told the Citizen Times.
In 2023, for the “Orchid Express” theme, Ramsey and Keller created a 24-foot-train that functioned as an eye-catching display for many orchids featured by the festival.
The Asheville Orchid Festival is one of the most important events of the year for the WNCOS. Beyond the opportunity for members of the society to “strut their stuff” as Ramsey put it, the event also provides crucial funding for the nonprofit’s operations.
Ramsey said the group welcomes any orchid enthusiast, “whether you have one orchid on your windowsill or 1,000 orchids in your greenhouse.”
He encourages anyone with even a passing interest in orchids to stop by the show this weekend.
“When you walk into the auditorium and see all the orchids on display, it’ll just blow your mind,” he said.
If you go
The Asheville Orchid Festival will be 4-7:30 p.m. March 27 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 28-29 at the North Carolina Arboretum. Admission is $5 for attendees older than 12 and free for WNC Orchid Society members.
As of March 1, parking fees were increased to $25 for personal/standard vehicles. On the first Tuesday of every month, a $10 discount is offered for personal vehicle parking.
Admission fees include all orchid exhibits, programs and educational lectures and benefit the Western North Carolina Orchid Society to help expand the mission of “sharing the excitement and joy of cultivating orchids and promoting orchid conservation.”
GASTONIA, N.C. (WBTV) – An overturned transfer truck shut down traffic along an I-85 exit ramp in Gaston County on Monday morning.
The crash happened around 7:20 a.m. on Monday, May 4, along I-85 North off-ramp (Exit 17) near N. New Hope Road in Gastonia. Officials said the accident was causing major traffic delays.
The Gastonia Police Department said the road was closed for the next couple of hours as cleanup and recovery efforts were underway. Drivers are asked to avoid the area if possible and use detour routes.
Officials said the driver of the truck was taken to the hospital. The driver’s condition was not immediately clear, or what caused the truck to turnover.
A transfer truck is a large truck that pulls a separate trailer, typically containing construction materials up to 25 tons.
Read more: Tick population becoming more active in Charlotte amid hot and dry weather
Copyright 2026 WBTV. All rights reserved.
UNC is still high on Denis as backcourt depth piece despite coaching change and lack of playing time last season.
While North Carolina continues to rebuild its backcourt, one of its key guards is officially returning.
Guard Isaiah Denis re-signed with the Tar Heels on Sunday afternoon, the university announced on social media. The move comes after Denis withdrew his name from the transfer portal on April 18.
Denis was among the first UNC players to enter the transfer portal when it opened April 7. But after a meeting with head coach Michael Malone and the coaching staff, he reconsidered and decided to return for another season.
A former four-star prospect, Denis was part of North Carolina’s 2025 recruiting class that also included Caleb Wilson and Derek Dixon. Denis appeared in 10 games last season, averaging 1.9 points and 0.6 rebounds while shooting 50% from the field.
UNC remains high on Denis and his ability to provide depth in the backcourt.
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No. 8 Virginia (10-6, 2-2 ACC) defeats No. 5 North Carolina (12-3, 2-2 ACC) to claim its first ACC Tournament title since 2019. Updates are in reverse chronological order with the most recent events at the top.
Virginia 16, North Carolina 6 | FINAL
Virginia 16 North Carolina 6 | Q4 FINAL
Hudson Hausmann scores in transition before UNC scores on the man up. Kyle Morris is now in net. Minutes later, Burke McFarlane scores as the Hoos pile it on.
Virginia 14 North Carolina 5 | Q4 7:40
James Matan scores to open the fourth quarter for the Heels before Ryan Duenkel fires back with a behind the back goal on the other end.
Virginia 13 North Carolina 4 | Q3 0:00
Duffy scores to break UNC’s deadlock before McCabe Millon pierces a corner to restore Virginia’s advantage. Short;y after Ryan Colsey scores a twister as Virginia continues to pile on the goals. Later on Pietramala scored his first goal of the day.
Virginia 11 North Carolina 2 | Q2 1:38
McCabe Millon scores again as he has three goals and two assists. Truitt Sunderland scores his fourth of the day shortly after.
Virginia 9 North Carolina 2 | Q2 4:51
Hudson Hausmann scores in transition to make it eight straight for the Cavaliers. Jake Marek makes another unbelievable save. Truitt Sunderland scores again as the Hoos have scored nine straight goals.
MAKE IT 8 GOALS IN A ROW💥#GoHoos🔸⚔️🔹 pic.twitter.com/4S65OEKjso
— Virginia Men’s Lacrosse (@UVAMensLax) May 3, 2026
Virginia 7 North Carolina 2 | Q2 10:48
Will Inderlied stretches Virginia’s lead to six. After the goal Marek makes another massive save on the other end. He’s got seven saves so far. B. Millon finds Duenkel to make it 7-2 Hoos. Timeout UNC.
Virginia 5 North Carolina 2 | Q1 2:20
McCabe Millon scores in transition off of a feed from Sunderland. On the other end Marek makes another save before M. Millon returns the favor with a feed to Sunderland.
Virginia 3 North Carolina 2 | Q1 5:38
Virginia goes man up with Brendan Millon finding Truitt Sunderland to take the lead. UNC received the penalty for an illegal stick.
Virginia 2 North Carolina 2 | Q1 6:26
In need of an answer McCabe Millon scores the first of the day for the Hoos. Chase Band recorded the assist. Minutes later, Joey Terenzi splits his man and scores from the top of the key.
Virginia 0 North Carolina 2 | Q1 10:04
The Hoos fail to score on their opening two possessions. James Matan on the Tar Heels first possession finds nylon with an on the run shot. Pietramala feeds Brevin Wilson to give UNC an early advantage.
Virginia vs North Carolina Pregame Notes
For a preview: Virginia Lacrosse vs. North Carolina ACC Championship Preview
- Virginia fell to North Carolina 16-15 in overtime in Charlottesville, Virginia in April
- Virginia is seeking its first ACC Tournament title since 2019
- North Carolina defeated Syracuse 12-10 in the second semifinal to advance to Sunday’s championship
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