Carolina Bonsai Expo NEW DATE

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Omono
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I didn’t want anyone to get caught off guard on planning for this event this year as it has been moved from October to June. Here is the announcement. From what advance info I have heard Ryan Neil will be the featured artist this year.

Please note: The Bonsai Expo has been changed to June from the fall! We look forward to seeing everyone at this year’s Expo!

The North Carolina Arboretum’s 25th annual Carolina Bonsai Expo will be held on Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14. This nationally known event features juried displays by bonsai enthusiasts hailing from a multi-state region. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the displays, watch free demonstrations, and purchase bonsai plants and supplies. As the premier annual bonsai event of the Southeast, the Carolina Bonsai Expo offers programs for both the bonsai community and general public.
 
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jimib

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I booked my cabin a couple of months ago. Stayed there a few times, really nice places. Minutes from downtown, and the Arboretum.
 

bwaynef

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Is there an official announcement from the Arboretum?
 

bwaynef

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I copied and pasted it right off their website. See their events listings for June 2020.
Thanks for pointing me to it. I swear I looked earlier and didn't see it.
 

jimib

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We usually go to Asheville in October just for a little vaca. This year my wife wanted to go in the summer. I told her it was no big deal missing the Bonsai show. Then I hear they change the Bonsai show to June. Worked out perfectly. When I heard that, I told her and she emailed the Arboretum back in November and they sent her the dates and we booked our cabin around that.
 
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Booking my room today! Anyone know I'm of a decent place to stay outside of Asheville that doesn't cost a bunch? I've visited there so often. I don't really need to stay in the town this time.
 

WNC Bonsai

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Booking my room today! Anyone know I'm of a decent place to stay outside of Asheville that doesn't cost a bunch? I've visited there so often. I don't really need to stay in the town this time.
Your best bet is to look south of town down near Fletcher or Mountain Home. Heck even Hendersonville wouldn’t be that far to go. I would not look west or east of town as you’d have to face the traffic on I40 and with major interstate constructoin due to start soon it might be a mess. North of town there is practically nothing and also a traffic nightmare getting through town.
 

SouthernMaple

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Why the change?
So don't quote me on this but from what I have heard from people around town is that they wanted to change it because hotel prices will be less than they are in the fall during the leaf change. Tourism is a very big industry here and during October there are a lot of tourists here, sometimes up to an extra 20,000 people on the weekends. While Tourist season is April to December here, its not as crazy in June as it is during the fall.
 

SouthernMaple

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Booking my room today! Anyone know I'm of a decent place to stay outside of Asheville that doesn't cost a bunch? I've visited there so often. I don't really need to stay in the town this time.
Well the Arboretum is a little ways outside of town, if you are looking for a decent priced spot in a safe neighborhood next door to the arboretum there are a few Airbnbs in Bent Creek from 50-75 bucks a night.
 
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So don't quote me on this but from what I have heard from people around town is that they wanted to change it because hotel prices will be less than they are in the fall during the leaf change. Tourism is a very big industry here and during October there are a lot of tourists here, sometimes up to an extra 20,000 people on the weekends. While Tourist season is April to December here, its not as crazy in June as it is during the fall.

Interesting. I thought it was because it's close to the National expo. I did notice that the hotel rates are a lot less expensive. Almost 50% less at some places.
 

Adair M

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So don't quote me on this but from what I have heard from people around town is that they wanted to change it because hotel prices will be less than they are in the fall during the leaf change. Tourism is a very big industry here and during October there are a lot of tourists here, sometimes up to an extra 20,000 people on the weekends. While Tourist season is April to December here, its not as crazy in June as it is during the fall.
Arthur said that there were several reasons to change the date. Yes, hotel prices was a factor, the Arboretum also decorated the garden for Christmas with lights and stuff, so there’s an influx of visitors around that time. You see, they make their money on selling parking permits. If they sell out of parking places just on the Christmas decoration traffic, they don’t make additional money on the bonsai traffic. By shifting the bonsai show to another time of the year, when there’s less tourism, they can create more overall revenue.

And, yes, I believe there’s another major bonsai show that might be conflict with the old date. Not the National Exposition, but another regional one.
 

WNC Bonsai

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Arthur said that there were several reasons to change the date. Yes, hotel prices was a factor, the Arboretum also decorated the garden for Christmas with lights and stuff, so there’s an influx of visitors around that time. You see, they make their money on selling parking permits. If they sell out of parking places just on the Christmas decoration traffic, they don’t make additional money on the bonsai traffic. By shifting the bonsai show to another time of the year, when there’s less tourism, they can create more overall revenue.

And, yes, I believe there’s another major bonsai show that might be conflict with the old date. Not the National Exposition, but another regional one.
Yes, the Shohin show is in June every other year. As for the Christmas thing I don‘t see the resoning. The expo was in October, 2 months before the Christmas light show. Parking is sold either on a per car basis or annual passes, neither of which would conflict with the expo. I personally think they just wanted to fill out the schedule a bit. It takes a lot to organize two major events within a coulpe months of each other.
 
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Yes, the Shohin show is in June every other year. As for the Christmas thing I don‘t see the resoning. The expo was in October, 2 months before the Christmas light show. Parking is sold either on a per car basis or annual passes, neither of which would conflict with the expo. I personally think they just wanted to fill out the schedule a bit. It takes a lot to organize two major events within a coulpe months of each other.
Oh man, I didn't know that the shohin show existed. Maybe there's more bonsai available to me than I have ever known. I don't see a date for this year though. Is it every other year like the National?
 

Adair M

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Oh man, I didn't know that the shohin show existed. Maybe there's more bonsai available to me than I have ever known. I don't see a date for this year though. Is it every other year like the National?
Yes.
It has been held in late June during odd numbered years in Kannapolis, NC.

About the Christmas conflict, Arthur mentioned it when he announced the new date.
 
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