Highlands Heritage Jamboree

Written By: Mary Jane McCall | Issue: September 2024

Highlanders are deeply proud of our mountain heritage and recognize the hard work, sacrifices, and vision of our ancestors that shaped this little slice of heaven we call home.

They understood that building a sense of community was an integral part of what made the hard work worth it all and life enjoyable. They always took time out to gather with neighbors and dancing and music were often a part of those celebrations.

For the third year Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands NC is hosting the Highlands Heritage Jamboree, a delightful family-friendly event celebrating our rich heritage.

Held this year on Saturday, October 12, from 3:30 until 7:30 P.M., they’ve planned an afternoon of music, dance, barbecue, and moonshine. Make plans now to join the celebration and kick up your heels to the best the mountains have to offer.

The Jamboree will be a chance for us all to celebrate and honor the town’s history with traditional music, dancing, and more. Residents and visitors will enjoy music, mountain clogging, bagpipe performances, and barbecue among other things.

“We’re pleased to provide this event to Highlands in honor of the rich heritage of the area,” says Kaye McHan, executive director of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC. “The skill, artistry, and joy that goes into the creation of music and dance is something we want to continue to preserve and celebrate.”

Performances at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park will include the Highlands Bagpipers celebrating our Scottish heritage.

Once again, the Bailey Mountain Cloggers, a championship dance team from Mars Hill University, will perform. The Bailey Mountain Cloggers are one of a few college-based performing clog teams in the nation, serving as ambassadors of goodwill for the college and the folk-dance traditions of the Southern Mountains. During their 48-year history, the Bailey Mountain Cloggers have performed throughout the United States and internationally in Canada, Mexico, England, Scotland, Austria, and Ireland. Seeing these exceptionally talented young dancers is a real treat.

The Highlands Historical Society will have an authentic moonshine still on display and be on hand to share riveting stories of moonshiners and revenuers.

Capping off the event will be the Saturdays on Pine concert by Nu Blue, hosts of TV’s Bluegrass Ridge show. A former Carolina Music Awards Country Band of the Year, they tour over 200 days each year, have made national TV appearances, have had five albums on the Top 10 Billboard Charts, and a #1 most played song on Sirius/XM radio.

Visit highlandschamber.org for updated information.