What a weekend it was in Highlands.
The annual Food and Wine Festival drew big crowds as guests made their way to Western North Carolina from all across the South.
Every year the sights, sounds, and smells from the festival fill the town with all the best that the area has to offer. Thursday’s “Grand Tasting” at The Bascom featured gourmet bites from some of the most acclaimed chefs around a performance by Southern Avenue.
On Friday it was time for “Truckin’” perhaps the most laid back of the Food and Wine events. Held this year in Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, the new venue shined as food trucks, beverage carts, and vendor booths filled both sides of the promenade. End of the Line and Matt Koziol provided the music and the couch-covered hillside adjacent to First Bank became the go-to place to party.
The Main Event, which took over Main Street on Saturday, featured a first-ever all female music lineup with Katie Pruitt and festival headliner Grace Potter. With 18 culinary experts presenting their fare, there were options for and taste available.
On Sunday, attendees enjoyed a laid back brunch during “A Shot at Redemption.” The War and Treaty and the Harlem Gospel Travelers provided the soundtrack for an easy-going event to close the festival at Founders Park.
Overall, the Highlands Food and Wine Festival shined once again in 2023.
For those who may not be into the glitz and glamour of the festival, the weekend also featured plenty of Veteran’s Day activities. People gathered at Highlands Memorial Park on Thursday to place flags on the graves of deceased veterans. Friday featured a thank you lunch for veterans at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, and Saturday marked the annual observance of Veteran’s Day at the Highlands Veterans Plaza on Oak Street.
American Legion Post 370 goes above and beyond every year to make sure that Highlands’ veterans are honored and properly recognized for their service.
The second weekend in November is always special in Highlands, and this year was no different. Just 51 more weeks until we get to do it all again.