About Highlands Festivals, Inc.
Highlands Festivals, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization that produces the annual Highlands Food & Wine and Bear Shadow festivals in Highlands, NC. HFI promotes Highlands, NC as an inspiring place to visit and live by producing world-class events that showcase, enhance, and support The Highlands-Cashiers Plateau’s vibrant culinary, visual, and performing arts organizations while contributing funds and resources that directly benefit similar local initiatives.
Goals
Promote Highlands, NC as an inspiring place to live and visit by producing world-class events that showcase, enhance, and support the region’s vibrant culinary, visual, and performing arts organizations.

Contribute funds and resources that directly benefit similar local initiatives to strengthen our community.

2025 Board Members
Jack Austin
David Bock
Debi Bock
Tricia Cox
Thomas Craig
Marjorie Deal
Stephanie Edwards
Drew English
Pat Gleeson
Liz Harris
Bryan Lewis
Sam Lupus
Steve Mehder
Drew Townes
Mary Adair Trumbly
Hilary Wilkes
Advisory Committee
Marlene Osteen
Steve Palmer
Board Contact Information
P.O. Box 2713 Highlands, NC 28741
info@highlandsfestivalsinc.org