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Distinctly Highlands
Written By: Deena Bouknight | Issue: May 2023
The Highlands Motoring Festival’s opening June 8 Meet and Greet celebration at Art Highlands Gallery revs up the town’s social calendar.
The 16th Annual Highlands Motoring Festival begins Thursday, June 8, with a weekend packed full. In fact, the festival has grown from a Saturday afternoon car show for local enthusiasts into a four-day global festival. Attendees and spectators come from far and wide, and thousands of dollars are raised for three charity partners: Literacy and Learning Center of Highlands, REACH of Macon County, and the Community Care Clinic of Highlands and Cashiers.
Distinction surrounds the festival, starting with the 5:00 P.M. June 8, Social Gathering Meet and Greet at Art Highlands Gallery (formerly Invocative Fine Art), a new gallery at 521 North 4th Street. Founded by Chiropractor Steve Hinkey and his long-time partner/girlfriend Beata Gola, an art curator, Art Highlands Gallery provides plenty of space for festival participants to get to know fellow auto enthusiasts among the backdrop of not only Dr. Hinkey’s creative art, but also with 30 other top contemporary artists’ works on display.
Art Highlands Gallery’s official grand opening is June 16, following the festival. Unique cars will be parked on the gallery’s lawn.
During the Thursday evening reception is also a focus on world-renowned British-born race car driver Brian Redman. On Friday evening, the festival committee, with assistance from Highlands Police Department, will stage a Main Street Parade where interesting and collectible classic cars will be highlighted.
The centerpiece event of the festival is Saturday’s “Cars in the Park” car show in the Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park in downtown Highlands. Eighty-five special classic cars have been invited through a rigorous application process. There will be classics ranging from 1907 to 1989, both American and European.
The 2023 featured marque is BMW, where 15 carefully curated classics will tell the history of the brand. Other 2023 entries will include cars from Duesenberg, Ferrari, Porsche, Ford, Cadillac, Jaguar, Chevrolet, and many others.
On Saturday night there will be a “Fundraising Gala” with a dinner and program at Wildcat Cliffs Country Club. Brian Redman will discuss his 60-plus year career in international motorsports.
The festival concludes on Sunday morning with the “High Octane” car show and social gathering at Kelsey Hutchinson Founder’s Park.
The Highlands Motoring Festival is free to the public, but donations are suggested. To volunteer or for more information visit the festival’s website at HighlandsMotoringFestival.com.
