What is the HFW COVID-19 protocol for 2021?
Highlands Food & Wine is committed to providing a safe event for everyone in attendance. The health and safety of our patrons, staff and vendors are our top priorities. Therefore, a full COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID-19 test result is required to attend Highlands Food & Wine Festival 2021. For your convenience, Mountain Lakes Physicians Group is offering FREE drive through Covid testing / vaccination checks and the ability to get your ‘covid cleared” wristband prior to your arrival at event gates. This will expedite entry for all! Please see times and locations below. For more information, visit our Health & Safety page.
MOUNTAIN LAKES PHYSICIANS GROUP HEALTH & SAFETY STATION
Location: 478 Dillard Road, Highlands, NC
- Wednesday, Nov.10: 10am-3pm
- Thursday, Nov.11: 9am-12pm
- Friday, Nov.12: 9am-12pm
- Saturday, Nov.13th: 9am-12pm
- Sunday, Nov.14th: 9am-12pm
Is Highlands Food & Wine Festival 21 and up?
All Highlands Food & Wine events are 21+. Valid ID is required at all events. If we cannot verify your age, you will not be allowed into the festival. Anyone under the age of 21 will be stopped at the gate and refused entry. Passes will not be refunded. Please don’t bring infants, small children in child carriers, or strollers, as they will not be permitted entry.
Can I purchase a weekend pass?
Weekender VIP passes are currently sold out. You can add your name to the waitlist, on our official ticket exchange, LYTE.
Will more tickets to the sold-out events be available?
We will not release any more tickets once events are sold out. We have partnered LYTE, our official ticketing resale partner. You can access LYTE and the festival waitlist via the festival website. Please note that Highlands Food & Wine cannot verify any tickets purchase through social media or directly between guests. We can only guarantee tickets purchased or sold through LYTE.
Can I purchase a ticket for a friend/as a gift?
Sure! Please include their email address to allow them to receive all important information!
Can I receive a refund if I have bought a ticket and cannot attend the event?
Unfortunately, Highlands Food and Wine Festival has a no refund policy. You can resell your ticket through LYTE.
What If I Still Need More Information?
For the up-to-the-moment event updates and event details, please join the mailing here. For specific questions, contact the festival at info@highlandsfoodandwine.com
Is Highlands Food & Wine a Non-Profit?
Yes! Highlands Food & Wine is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a year-round mission to promote and market the Town of Highlands, NC as a culinary, retail, and tourism destination. Highlands Food & Wine is property of Highlands Festivals, Inc. and is produced by Eleven Events.
What is the festival doing to help the environment?
Highlands Food & Wine is committed to preserving the pristine beauty of our community and promoting good environmental practices. We are proud to partner with Zero Hero to recycle and compost waste created by our weekend celebration. Since 2016, we have diverted over 18,0000lbs of recycling and compostable waste from of our landfills.
Attire
Mountain Chic, Resort Casual
Rules and Restrictions
- No one under the age of 21 are permitted.
- You must bring proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative PCR COVID-19 test.
- Please no pets (service animals are permitted).
- No outside food or alcohol will be permitted in the events.
- We encourage wearing a mask when not eating or drinking
- Chairs are not permitted at events unless stated otherwise.
- Complimentary water will be provided. Empty refillable water bottles are permitted.
WEATHER
All events are in tents or outdoors and will happen rain or shine. Please be prepared for forecasted weather. Should dangerous weather arise, all ticket holders will be contacted via email and we will utilize our social media platforms.
PARKING
There is limited parking at each of the events. Please consider walking or carpooling to limit cars needing to park.
TICKETS/WRISTBANDS
Can tickets be purchased?
Tickets can only be purchased via the festival website.
Where do I pick up my tickets/wristbands?
Wristbands will be distributed at the gates of each event, unless you have Weekender Passes – those will be available for early pickup at the ticketing box and production office (424 Pine St. Highlands NC 28741). You must have a printed ticket or barcode on your phone to present at the gate for wristband and entry.
VIP ticket holders will be able to pick up tickets at the Box Office (424 Pine St. Highlands NC 28741)
What do I need to get into the event?
You need your ticket bar code, your ID, proof of vaccination or negative COVID test (PCR test). After receiving your COVID wristband and event wristband, you must wear both wristbands for the duration of the event. Weekender VIP Pass Holders must wear Weekender wristbands for the duration of the festival. Weekenders will be able to pick up wristbands in advance and can provide proof of vaccination / negative COVID test at that time. Weekender Pass early pick up will be at 424 Pine St. Highlands NC 28741.
What if I lose or cut off my wristband?
Wristbands must be worn at all times. Individuals not wearing a wristband will not be allowed entry, no exceptions. Do not lose your wristband—these are not replaceable. The plastic security lock on the wristband is a one-way lock. Do not play with this lock to tighten the band too much.
How do I put on my wristband?
Treat your wristband like cash—lost, stolen, tampered with, and/or confiscated wristbands will not be replaced!
Festival security will put on your wristband for you.
RE-ENTRY
Your wristband allows you to come and go as you please to the events. You must have the specific event wristband on to enter/re-enter. Beverages may not leave the grounds.
WHAT TO BRING
- Government Issued Photo ID
- Barcoded event tickets from Universe
- Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test (received within 72 hours of event you are attending)
- Cash or Credit Card for Merchandise
- Proper attire for forecasted weather
WHAT NOT TO BRING
- Pets
- Outside food or drink
- Chairs
- Illegal drugs
- Children under the age of 21
- Cigarettes—this is a non-smoking event
