Lake Eden has been a cherished home for LEAF Festival and Retreat, and LEAF Global Arts is deeply grateful for its history, but the organization is turning over a new LEAF by moving the October Festival to Deerfields. 

“Our new Festival location has the same magical vibe festival-goers experienced at Lake Eden, with music stages framed by lakes and mountains, and plenty of space for camping and gathering”, shares LEAF Global Arts Executive Director, Erinn Hartley. “With an intentionally curated lineup of global artists, immersive healing and culinary arts, festival vendors, and local kids performing alongside LEAF’s Teaching Artists and Culture Keepers from around the world, we continue to honor our global arts mission. At the same time, this move ensures the LEAF Festival can grow, evolve, and thrive for many years to come.”

Deerfields, just 30 minutes from Asheville in Mills River, offers an escape to an unspoiled outdoor experience. There is abundant camping space, two lakes on the property to swim or paddle board, two outdoor stages, fields to dance or do yoga, a ridge-line trail to hike, and a rocking chair porch to relax. 

Deerfields has been the home of many large family and friends events for over 20 years, hosting music festivals, weddings, and various outdoor adventure events. Protected by Carolina Conservancy, the land is protected from development, ensuring it will continue to provide a habitat and haven for many of the species found in this biodiverse corner of the world. In short, a beautiful place to create lifelong memories with friends and family, in a magical new LEAF location!

LEAF Global Arts originally started as a festival at Lake Eden, and the name initially came from an acronym, Lake Eden Arts Festival- connected to the place where the festival was founded. Over time, as the organization grew beyond the festival and expanded its work in arts education locally and around the world, LEAF stopped using the full name, and in 2013 the organization became LEAF Community Arts, while the festival continued as the LEAF Festival. As LEAF kept growing and evolving, the name changed once more in 2020 to LEAF Global Arts, reflecting the full scope of LEAF’s work today; global arts education in schools in Asheville and WNC, and in 10 countries all around the world.  

Srouce: LEAF