High Country Honey Festival

The High Country Honey Festival was established to promote the judging of world class honey and honey products; to crown a Honey Queen from the state of North Carolina to represent the “Tarheel State” at the national level; and to enjoy and celebrate all things related to beekeeping with people who want to enjoy the fall color change in the beautiful western North Carolina mountain community of Ashe County.

Honey Judging of local and state honey producers by nationally recognized judges for large cash prizes in several categories. Anyone may enter the honey judging contest!

Crowning the first North Carolina Honey Queen in almost 50 years! The winner of the event will receive a $5000 college scholarship as she becomes a spokesperson for the beekeeping and honey producers of the Tarheel state!

There will be 3 live bands performing throughout the day! Come bring a lawn chair or blanket and listen to some great bluegrass and mountain music throughout the day. See the schedule for band performance times!

There will be 12+ food trucks providing an assortment of great food and snacks all day long! Come hungry!

There will be a FREE honey tasting bar for attendees to try honey from all over the state, and some from around the world! Come see and enjoy the many differences in what makes honey so yummy!

There will be over 100 vendors, selling everything honey products to arts and crafts and more! The vendors will be inside the new Agriculture Expo Center, so the event will happen rain or shine!