Woolly Worm Festival

Woolly Worm Festival

Woolly Worm Festival

2025 dates: October 18-19

For almost 50 years, the town of Banner Elk has welcomed visitors from many states and countries to the annual Woolly Worm Festival. This family event co-hosted by the Avery County Chamber of Commerce and the Banner Elk Kiwanis Club welcomes more than 20,000 people to the Greene in front of the historic school at 185 Azalea Circle. All proceeds from the festival are given back to the community to support schools, children’s programs, and to promote business and tourism in Avery County.

The festival features two days of racing woolly worms, aka woollybear caterpillars, with crowds cheering on their favorites. Races are held throughout the day Saturday and Sunday at Historic Banner Elk School in the heart of downtown. The overall winner of Saturday’s races earns a $1,000 grand prize and the honor of predicting the winter weather for North Carolina’s High Country. While Sunday’s races don’t involve forecasting privileges, participants still vie for prestige, along with a $500 prize.

More than 150 vendors join the fun with crafts, food, local art and souvenirs. Parking is available at many lots around town, a fundraiser for many non-profit organizations. There’s also a remote parking program and shuttle service with Lees McRae College. Pets are not allowed.

The quirky weather-forecasting tradition comes from mountain lore that says the 13 segments of a woollybear caterpillar represent the 13 weeks of winter. Black bands mean cold, snowy weeks, while brown bands indicate warmer conditions. However, each woolly worm sports a different color pattern, so the festival was started in 1978 to determine which worm provides the official forecast.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. To plan a visit, go to BannerElk.com, the official tourism website for the town.

For details festival and ticket information, go to www.WoollyWorm.com.