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Highlands board hears safety, noise and economic arguments over Food and Wine festival
Summary
At a Jan. 15 work session, police and fire officials warned that holding the Highlands Food and Wine main event on narrow Main Street creates crowding, delayed emergency access and public‑safety risks; festival organizers and hospitality representatives defended the event’s economic benefits and offered mitigation steps. The board agreed to convene stakeholders for further study.
The Town Board of Commissioners on Jan. 15 held a work session focused on the Highlands Food and Wine festival after police and fire officials flagged safety and public‑nuisance concerns while festival organizers and local businesses described economic benefits.
Chief Holland, the town police chief, told the board that "the Highlands food and wine event brings significant tourism and visibility to our town" but warned that "the narrow space between buildings becomes dangerously congested when large crowds gather, especially with widespread alcohol consumption." She said emergency response during the November event was delayed because "crowd congestion and barricades delayed emergency response" and reported multiple intoxication incidents and patrons who required first‑responder assistance.
Captain Forrester of the Highlands Fire Department described egress and apparatus‑access problems, saying crews at times must "get the ambulance ... to them ... and get all their equipment, which is a lot in that situation," and that moving…
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