Asheville, NC.
After 34 years, the annual three day street event known as Bele Chere bids a fond adieu to those who patronized its last 34 years of offerings of music, food, beer, and the ever increasing ubiquity of street preachers. Begun in 1979 as an attempt to revitalize the economy of downtown Asheville, the event continued to reinvent itself over the years. Abhorred by some, loved by many, the festivities provided a boost to the image of the little bohemian town of the hills.
Over the last several years, I enjoyed wandering the streets during the early setup of the event on Fridays, capturing a tapestry of intimacy and serendipity that caught my eye. Vendors seemed more relaxed. Street performers are livelier. People are less inebriated!
I caught a few images for my liking: various performers, people just strolling and eating, cops—those overcome with religious fervor! While preparing to leave, I noticed a street performer dressed in a black and white striped costume replete with a red tutu. He was dancing in front of some street preachers that were engaged in a yelling match with onlookers.
I snapped off several shots documenting this narrative that played out before me. The image of the final embrace I believe summed up a positive lasting image of a street event that I’ve both enjoyed and tolerated since my first Bele Chere in 2000.
Bele Chere, you’ll be missed, and definitely remembered.
For more photos, go to 34th Annual Bele Chere on Flickr.
All images © Joe Longobardi. All Rights Reserved. joelongobardiphotography.com/
