Planning a major event in April, in Highlands, is a tricky proposition.
For the event organizers of the Bear Shadow Music Festival a mix of perfect timing and good fortune from Mother Nature came together to make the 2023 event a success.
An all-day rain on Thursday and into Friday morning gave way just in time for the festival to kick off. The first night featured three bands, including headliners Spoon. It was cool, but at least it was rain free.
Saturday produced a near-perfect day for The Head and the Heart just before more storms moved in on Saturday night and rolled through until mid-day Sunday, when again the skies parted in time for the festival to start. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit brought the festival to a close.
In three years since its inception, Bear Shadow has grown to a point where it’s almost even in prestige with the Highlands Food and Wine Festival in November. Saturday’s crowd surpassed any single day in the festival’s history.
With more vendors than previous years, the festival had a little something for everyone. Highlands’ businesses may not have been the centerpiece of the scene, but they were an integral part of making it a success. Unique food offerings and craft cocktails were also a big part of the experience.
Music festivals have become a big part of the entertainment landscape in recent years. While the Bear Shadow may never be mentioned alongside Bonnaroo, or Coachella, it has emerged as a large-scale event the adds to Highlands’ spring lineup in April. The slate of performers seems to grow in prestige each year, which is a tribute to the event’s growing reputation.
As Highlands continues to develop into a year-round destination in regards to tourism, having a well-regarded “major” event to kickoff the year is a big boost. People who visit for Bear Shadow tend to come back year after year, and not just during the weekend of the festival.
With Memorial Day on the horizon, and the full tilt action of Summer not far behind, it’s a good time to prepare for “the season” and all that it entails. Here’s to another successful year in Highlands.