An annual dinner held in Asheville in October by the state Democratic Party since 1960.

The event serves three purposes: Raising money for the party, rallying the Democratic faithful ahead of the November elections and serving as a platform for state candidates.

Keynote speakers have included U.S. Sens. John Glenn, Joe Biden and Al Gore; Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter and vice presidential candidate Edmund Muskie. The event is usually held at the historic Grove Park Inn.

It was named for former governors Zebulon Vance and Charles Brantley Aycock, both Democrats.

In 2007, it drew controversy when a Republican group threatened to protest over Aycock's role in the 1898 Wilmington coup. State Treasurer Richard Moore, then a candidate for the gubernatorial nomination, also said the name should be changed.

The state party decided to look into a name change in January of 2008.

In 2008, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama spoke at the dinner while in town preparing for the second presidential debate.

A similar event, the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, is held in Raleigh in the spring.