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Grandfather Mountain Highland Games highlights $1M+ revenue, local spending and scholarships to commissioners
Summary
Steve Quillen, president of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, told commissioners the event brings 40,000–45,000 visitors, generates more than $1 million in revenue and directs substantial dollars to local contractors, scholarships and emergency services.
Steve Quillen, president of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, addressed the Board of Commissioners Oct. 6 to describe the festival’s economic footprint and community contributions.
Quillen told commissioners the games drew visitors from 48 states this year and that gross revenue for the games exceeds $1 million annually. He described the festival as the region’s largest annual event, drawing an estimated 40,000–45,000 people over four days, and said the organization seeks to spend as much of its revenue as possible in Avery County.
Quillen outlined 2025 spending categories and figures the games paid inside the county: roughly $84,000 for capital improvements at McRae Meadow, $41,500 for tree- and disease-related mitigation, about $250,000 in seasonal payroll (largely Avery County residents), $45,000 for a shuttle contract, $55,000 for a patron reception in Banner Elk, approximately $12,000 to EMS and Avery Transport, and about $14,000 for hotel-room rentals within Avery County. He said the games spent about $71,000 on hurricane Helene mitigation repairs in 2025 and that the organization provides scholarships and payments to local school groups (about $44,000 in 2025; projected $48,000 in 2026).
Quillen asked commissioners to consider the games as part of county tourism strategies and noted the event’s long-standing ties to the community (2026 will mark the 70th year). Commissioners praised the games’ flexibility and logistical coordination following storm impacts this year.
Provenance: Presentation at 4991.035–5869.23.
Ending: Quillen invited commissioners to attend the games and encouraged county tourism promotion that leverages the Highland Games’ out-of-state audience.
