Highlands NC Hosts Annual Motoring Festival Featuring BMW

June 9 - 12, 2016    9th Annual Highlands Motoring Festival   Participants range from pre-war to classic Europeans to American muscle. Featured Marque for 2016 is BMW.  Get local information and a map on our Highlands NC Visitor Guide.

This fun, family oriented event is a must event for the vintage car enthusiast who wants to show or just to browse these great cars from the past. Enjoy the altitude and cool weather, while you get away from the summer heat. Come for the day or the weekend.  

Festival events include:

Welcome Party at the Ugly Dog Pub. Thursday, June 9th (evening).  Entertainment for the evening featuring WellStrung, a popular Highlands bluegrass band. This event is open to the public. No cover charge, however, donations may be made to this year’s charity, The Literacy Council of Highlands. This event is being hosted by The Literacy Council of Highlands. 


One Lap of the Mountains (Day-long drive)  The annual One Lap of the Mountains Cruse will be held this year on June 10. This very popular driving event, sponsored by the Highlands Motoring Festival, will traverse approximately one hundred and sixty miles (out and back) of beautiful less traveled and exciting back roads of Western North Carolina. One Lap will begin at 8:00 AM with coffee and a continental breakfast, at Bake My Day, Wright Square, Highlands NC.  After the drivers’ meeting, the distribution of driving logs, instructions, and gifts the group will depart from Highlands at 9:00 AM sharp. Lunch will be at Rib Country in Murphy, NC.  From Murphy the tour will return to Highlands via another interesting route, arriving back in Highlands at 3:30 PM. All interesting cars are welcome to participate whether old or new, but please be aware that whatever you bring should be up the task of many twists and turns on mountainous roads. The price of admission is $75.00 per car and driver and $25.00 for each additional passenger. Each driver will be given a Highlands Motoring Festival cap and the new 2016 HMF poster. Each passenger will also receive a HMF cap. A detailed trip log and instructions to assist with navigation along the route will also be provided for each car. All meals are Dutch.


Motoring to the Beach Gala Friday, June 10th (evening) Again this year, is Motoring to the Beach Gala. A special Motoring Festival opening party with a highly popular Beach Music band, The City Street Band, will provide entertainment for a Motoring to the Beach Opening Party on Friday evening. Located at the lovely Bascom Art Center, on their campus in Highlands NC. The facility provides a chance to view cars as well as enjoy the art exhibits on their expansive campus. This promises to be an event that will quickly sell out.The event is organized and hosted by The Literacy Council of Highlands. All inclusive ticket price is only $85 per person. Party begins at 5:30. There will be an opportunity to view new cars from the Platinum sponsors, as well as some older, classic cars. Location is the Bascom: Center for Visual Arts, 323 Franklin Road Highlands NC.  

photos courtesy Highlands Motoring Festival

Highlands Motoring Festival Classic Car Show Saturday, June 11th (day) The 9th Annual Highlands Motoring Festival Car Show will open at 10:00 (Registration to begin at 8:00, and ends at 11:00) at the Kelsey-Hutchinson Park on Pine Street (the site of the first several Shows). Entrance will be at 5th Street and Pine. Judging will begin at 11:00 AM. This venue will feature classic cars surrounded in the new park, created by the Town. Vehicles will be grouped in 8 different classes, for viewing and participant judging. Trophies, crafted by a local pottery artisan, will be presented to cars designated as Best in Class, and Outstanding in Class. Also presented will be the Best of Show.  

Music on the Park Saturday, June 11th (evening) New this year, is Music on Pine Street. This is the same location as the Classic Car Show, held earlier in the day. At 6:00 PM, the Town of Highlands NC, and numerous participating merchants, provide a band for your relaxation and enjoyment. There is no charge for this activity. This is a chance to unwind from the day’s actions, and have time with new and old friends. Food and drink, may be brought to the event. Additionally, there are options to purchase food from vendors adjoining the park. Come and enjoy the music, have food and drink and relax.  

Cars and Coffee on Main Street -  Sunday, June 12th (day) Highland’s version of Cars and Coffee, known in Highlands as Butts on the Bench, will commence at 9:00 AM. The location is the “Loafer’s Bench”on Main Street, next to the Stone Lantern, across the street from Buck’s Coffee. The gathering is a time to say goodbye to new friends, and renew acquaintances with old friends. This is a very casual gathering, that usually happens every weekend in Highlands.  

Public admission is FREE and the Festival benefits the Literary Council of Highlands.