Getting to the Games: Parking and shuttling options

BY LILY KINCAID

LINVILLE — Parking can be a headache at any event, but there’s no reason to let it ruin your trip to the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games.

Parking on the mountain is limited, especially during the height of the Games, but GMHG offers a convenient shuttle service to make planning your weekend easier.

Patrons can park for free at all of the four designated parking lots, where each person can then buy a shuttle bus ticket and ride up to MacRae Meadows, where the Games are held. There are three shuttle bus lots in the Linville area and another one in Sugar Mountain. The exact locations of each parking lot are as follows:

Sugar Mountain Lot

Sugar Mountain Resort, 1009 Sugar Mountain Drive, Sugar Mountain, NC 28604

Linville Parking Lot

350 NC Hwy. 105, Linville, NC 28646

Avery County High School

401 Avery County High School Rd., Newland, NC 28657

The Millers Gap Lot

3000 Millers Gap Highway, Newland, NC 28657

Newland Elementary School (Handicap-Accessible Lot)

750 Linville St., Newland, NC 28657

The shuttle buses will run from 4 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, June 6, and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday through Sunday, June 7 through 9. The price for a round-trip shuttle bus ticket is $10 for attendees 13 and older, $5 for attendees ages 5 to 12 and free for attendees ages four and under. However, prices are not set by GMHG; they are set by the group providing the service, and are therefore subject to change. Handicap-accessible transportation will be provided out of the Newland Elementary School lot.

The situation for parking varies depending on the day. The following is a guide to follow when determining where to park or how to get to MacRae Meadows.

Thursday Night

Shuttle services will be provided from Avery High School. Buses will start taking people up the mountain at 3 p.m., and the last bus will leave MacRae Meadows at 10:30 p.m.

Friday

There is no general parking available at MacRae Meadows during the day on Friday. Only sponsors, Chieftain Patrons, Highlander Patrons, Clansman Patrons and participants are allowed to park on the mountain. Parking will be available in the Sugar Mountain, Linville and Newland shuttle lots from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday Night

General public parking is available on MacRae Meadows after 5 p.m.

Saturday

There is no general parking available at MacRae Meadows during the day on Saturday. Only sponsors, Chieftain Patrons, Highlander Patrons, Clansman Patrons and participants are allowed to park on the mountain. Parking will be available in Sugar Mountain, Millers Gap and Linville shuttle lots from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday Night

General public parking is available on MacRae Meadows after 5 p.m. on a first come, first served basis.

Sunday

There is no general parking available at MacRae Meadows during the day on Sunday. Only sponsors, Chieftain Patrons, Highlander Patrons, Clansman Patrons and participants are allowed to park on the mountain. Parking will be available in Sugar Mountain, Avery High and Linville shuttle lots from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.