Governor Josh Stein has announced that the North Carolina Awards, the state’s highest civilian honor, will be held on November 13 in Asheville. The event’s net proceeds will support communities recovering from Hurricane Helene.
“I am proud that this year’s North Carolina Awards will be held in western North Carolina to help shine a light on the fact that the area is open for folks to enjoy,” said Governor Josh Stein. “This year, we will honor the very best of North Carolina while encouraging tourism and helping support the ongoing recovery out west.”
NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell added, “For more than 60 years, the North Carolina Awards have celebrated the outstanding people who make North Carolina a great place to live, learn, and work. We are excited to host one of our state’s most prestigious events in Asheville this year and to dedicate proceeds from the event to western North Carolina recovery efforts.”
The awards ceremony is part of an initiative by Governor Stein and Visit NC called “Rediscover the Unforgettable,” aimed at promoting tourism in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. The initiative was launched in June during the reopening of Chimney Rock State Park.
The event will take place at Grove Park Inn, with tickets available soon. Established by the General Assembly in 1961 and managed by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, these awards recognize significant achievements by citizens in literature, science, fine arts, and public service.
Notable past recipients include William Friday, James Taylor, Etta Baker, Maya Angelou, Lee Smith, Eric Church, Selma Burke, and Branford Marsalis.
