Asheville East KOA Holiday (North Carolina) will mark its official reopening this weekend with a community celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony following months of recovery from Hurricane Helene.
The event, hosted by Kampgrounds of America (KOA) and the Black Mountain-Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled for Saturday, October 4.
The reopening ceremony will take place at the campground in Swannanoa, where local leaders, KOA representatives, and community members are expected to gather. The celebration comes after extensive restoration efforts that repaired damage sustained during the hurricane.
According to a press release, the event will include a ribbon-cutting, campground tours, refreshments, entertainment, and family-friendly activities. The gathering is designed to showcase the campground’s return while also offering opportunities for guests to connect with local leaders and KOA representatives.
“While this grand reopening marks an important return for campers, the Asheville East KOA Holiday will continue enhancing its grounds and facilities as part of a long-term restoration effort,” the press release indicates.
Toby O’Rourke, president and chief executive officer of KOA, will join Cheryl Hyde, executive director of the Black Mountain-Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce, and Doug Wisz, general manager of the Asheville East KOA Holiday, in leading the ribbon-cutting.
KOA, which operates more than 500 campgrounds across North America, has played a role in supporting franchisees and owned properties affected by natural disasters.
Founded more than six decades ago, KOA is the world’s largest network of privately owned campgrounds open to the public. Along with its flagship KOA brand, the company operates Terramor Outdoor Resorts, which opened its first property in Bar Harbor, Maine, in 2020.
KOA also extends support to campground owners and operators by offering resources in education, design, recruitment, marketing, and technology, helping them enhance operations and strengthen their presence in the outdoor hospitality industry.
For more information about Asheville East KOA Holiday, visit their website here.