Bele Chere

Asheville is a unique city to begin with, but when it is Bele Chere weekend the people watching is unrivaled. Bele Chere is dubbed "the biggest festival in the Southeastern US". It's a crazy festival promoting art and music and lasts for 3 days. Most Ashevillians seek refuge elsewhere during this weekend as it is so crowed. There are an average of 350,000 people that attend. The Scala family decided to brave the crowds and check it out. We went down on Saturday afternoon battling 100 degree temperatures. As usual, it did not disappoint.

They shut down the entire city. People and tents are spread as far as the eye can see.

After walking around in the heat, the mist area was a much needed oasis.

We stayed in the mist for a looong time.

The boys were dancing to the music in the mist.

Street performers were on every corner. This was a really cool juggling act.

They had an "Air Dog" competition. The city set up a huge pool and the dogs launched themselves into the water, trying to catch a ball. G and M were attempting to get as close as they could to the dogs.

We met up with our friends Emily and Joey who were staying in a hotel downtown. Emily is an animal rehabilitator and had a baby possum that she had just been given. No the hotel does not allow possums, she was smuggled in. Of couse in the hallway G was yelling things about the possum. Hopefully, we did not blow her cover.

When G heard that Emily and Joey had a baby possum with them, he had to see it. We made a pit stop at the hotel to meet Lousia. She was adorable.

She has to eat every 4 hours or so and still eats formula. So, Emily had to bring her along. Emily and Joey don't have kids but they have enough animals to keep them very busy! You have to admit....this little girl is cute!