From the RiverLink site:
Both the event and its title are inspired by Thomas Wolfe’s 1935 fictionalized autobiography that examines the the passing of time and the evolution of the creative process. It’s that theme, says RiverLink founder and executive director Karen Cragnolin, that closely parallels the recovery and growth of the French Broad alongside Asheville’s arts scene.
One of the other inspirations for the show is Wilma Dykeman, and her renowned book The French Broad . It's a book that traverses time, covering the early settler days of the French Broad Valley through Civil War days and beyond, giving the reader insight into just how large a part the river played in our local history.