In Photos: Best of WNC party at Highland Brewing Co.

Fun at the Best of WNC Party! Photo by Cindy Kunst

In a celebration of all things voted Best of WNC in 2018, Mountain Xpress and Highland Brewing Co. (winner in several beer and brewery categories) partnered to throw a party for the second year in a row. With nearly double the attendance from the previous year, the fun was flowing in Asheville.

Peggy Ratusz (Best Blues) kicked off the musical entertainment with her rollicking blues band and powerhouse vocals. She was followed up by Spaceman Jones & The Motherships (Best Hip-Hop Artist/Group), who spit rhymes about Asheville and oppression in America. Finishing up the festivities was Lyric (winner in several music categories) and her funky R&B hits. The band included a touching tribute to soul legend Aretha Franklin, who died earlier that day. DJ Kipper Schauer (Best DJ (Non-Radio)) spun some tunes between sets, and Heather Anders of 98.1 The River (one of the Best Radio Personalities) was on hand to emcee.

Meanwhile, some of the region’s best food and beverage purveyors were on hand to serve up the goods, including Melt Your Heart (one of the Best Food Trucks), The Hop (Best Ice Cream) and Buchi (Best Local Food/Drink Product).

And throughout it all, the LaZoom nuns (Best Comedy Troup or Series) were busy getting dunked in a dunk tank to raise money for BeLoved Asheville (one of the Best Nonprofits to Serve the Underprivileged).

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