Special Announcement:

During these challenging times, the Highlands Motoring Festival Committee is closely following events and government recommendations regarding the Coronavirus / COVID-19 situation. As the Motoring Festival is still 2 1/2 months away, we are continuing to plan for it, but we are also prepared for the possibility of having to adjust, postpone, or cancel the event for 2020.

The HMF Committee intends to make a final decision regarding HMF2020 no later than May 1st. In the meantime, registration is still encouraged.

In the event that HMF2020 is postponed, you will have the option for a full redund. If the event is cancelled, all registration charges will be refunded in full.

Additionally you will be given the option of donating part or all of your registration fees to the local human needs charities HMF supports; The Literacy Council, The Community Care Clinic, and R.E.A.C.H. of Macon County.

The Highlands Motoring Festival

A Festival With An Altitude!

The name says it all…what better place to be in the middle of June than in the cool, crisp Blue Ridge Mountains at an altitude of 4118 feet? The Highlands Motoring Festival has been recognized as THE motoring festival event in June in the Southeast. Enjoy the mountain town with a casual and sophisticated atmosphere and cool climate. Improve your Attitude by improving your Altitude (4118 ft).

Change is Coming for 2020

Apply for the Classic Car Show

Register for 2020 Events

June 11-14, 2020 in Highlands, NC

The festival begins in:

The 13th Annual Highlands Motoring Festival

A friendly event that appeals to everyone.

The focus, of course, is the field of over 75+ high quality invited classic cars. Owners of their collector pieces have gone to considerable effort and expense to put these cars on the show field for all to enjoy. An eclectic field of entries will ensure that there is something for everyone.


A Local Non-Profit Festival

Powered by an all-volunteer group.

Over the years, the net proceeds have gone to many different charities. This year, REACH of Macon County, Literacy Council of Highlands, and the Community. Care Clinic have been selected as the charity partners. Spectator entry to the show field is free, but a contribution to our charities is appreciated.


Coming Attractions

See some of the Vehicles coming in 2020.

See Coming Attractions

Event Schedule

The 2020 schedule for the 13th Annual Highlands Motoring Festival
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  • Day 1 - Thursday

    June 11, 2020

  • Highlands Motoring Festival’s celebrated, and extremely popular, One Lap of the Mountains is expanded for 2020. Now with 4 tour options spanning 2 days. Carefully curated, mountain routes with some of the best scenery in the South.

    Thursday

    A morning road course of less than 100 miles, followed by a lunch stop.

    1. One Lap Speciale - Open to all interesting automobiles
    2. One Lap Classic - Open to vintage cars only

    "One Lap of the Mountains- Speciale" - open to all interesting cars

    10:00am - Driver’s Meeting
    10:15am - Depart K-H Park

    "One Lap of the Mountains- Classic" - open to pre-1960 cars

    10:15am - Driver’s Meeting
    10:30am - Depart K-H Park
    3:00pm - All cars have returned to Highlands

    Register Now

    Where
    Kelsey Hutchinson Park in Highlands NC

  • For 2020, the Highlands Motoring Festival Welcome Soirée will be a very unique event. You won't want to miss AN EVENING OF CUBA, featuring an enthralling presentation by special guest Mr. Bill Warner, Founder and Chairman of the world renowned Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.

    Titled The Cars of Cuba, this presentation is the culmination of five trips to Cuba over the past 15 years by Mr. Warner, to both study the Cuban car culture and meet those people involved in it. A very limited number of the book Cuba's Car Culture, by Mr. Warner and Mr. Tom Cotter, will be available for purchase and signed by Mr Warner.

    The Welcome Soirée, at the newly redesigned and refurbished Highlands Falls Country Club, will also include heavy hor d'oeuvres (Cuban and traditional), liquid refreshments, both silent and live charity auctions, and even some slot car racing - all for only $85 per person.

    "Welcome Soiree" An Evening of Cuba at Highlands Falls Country Club

    6:00pm - Doors open, Cuban cuisine and beverages served
    7:30pm - Presentation of the “Cars of Cuba” by special guest Bill Warner
    8:30pm – 9:30pm - Live Auction

    Register Now

    Where
    Highlands Falls Country Club

  • Day 2 - Friday

    June 12, 2020

  • Highlands Motoring Festival’s celebrated, and extremely popular, One Lap of the Mountains is expanded for 2020. Now with 4 tour options spanning 2 days. Carefully curated, mountain routes with some of the best scenery in the South.

    Friday - "The Original"

    A longer road course of greater than 150 miles, divided with a noon lunch stop.

    1. One Lap Grande (First departure) - Open to all interesting automobiles
    2. One Lap Grande (Second departure) - Open to all interesting automobiles

    "One Lap of the Mountains - Grande", Kelsey-Hutchinson Park

    7:30am - Breakfast buffet
    8:00am - Driver’s Meeting - Group A
    8:30am - Group A Departs K-H Park
    8:30am - Driver’s Meeting - Group B
    9:00am - Group B Departs K-H Park
    4:00pm - All cars have returned to Highlands

    Register Now

    Where
    Kelsey Hutchinson Park in Highlands NC

  • A free social at High Dive Tavern
    Where
    High Dive, Highlands, NC

  • Day 3 - Saturday

    June 13, 2020

  • The Premier Event - 13th Year 2020 Marque of the year - Packard
    • Curated field of special and classic automobiles manufactured prior to 1990
    • Show begins at 10 AM, judging at 11AM, awards at 3PM
    • Awards for winners are unique (much like the cars for which they are presented): ceramic pottery designed by Highlands’ own master potters, Frank Vickery and Pat Taylor
    • Food will be available both on the show field and in the many great restaurants just steps away.
    • HMF posters, caps, polo shirts, and “One Lap of the Mountains” tour books will be available for purchase in support of local charities.
    Where
    Kelsey-Hutchinson Park, Highlands, NC

  • Day 4 - Sunday

    June 14, 2020

  • • A less formal automotive gathering
    • Any special interest car is eligible
    • No registration or judging
    • Entry is free for vehicles and spectators
    • Late arrivals and early departures permitted
    Where
    Wright Square, Main Street, Highlands NC

2020 Event Brochure

Download a pdf of the 2020 Highlands Motoring Festival Brochure.

Download the 2020 Brochure [PDF]

One Lap of the Mountains (Book)

Exciting Drives for Car Enthusiasts

To better accommodate all our mountain driver friends, in 2018 the Highlands Motoring Festival published “One Lap of the Mountains, Exciting Drives for Car Enthusiasts”, a route guide of mountain drives suitable for all interests.

Learn More


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