{"id":52937,"date":"2025-04-19T13:00:45","date_gmt":"2025-04-19T17:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/?p=52937"},"modified":"2025-05-15T18:39:10","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T22:39:10","slug":"woolly-worm-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/woolly-worm-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"Travel Guide to the Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk, NC (Updated for 2023)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Blue Ridge Parkway<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOn your mark. Get set. Go!\u201d Almost at once, thousands of spectators began clapping and cheering. Live commentary echoed across the festival ground, drowning out the murmurs of a hundred conversations. When the race leader was overtaken by an opponent, the crowd erupted into a thunderous ovation. It was a bewildering event to witness \u2013 especially considering all the hoopla was about a race between twenty-five woolly worms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For many people, the woolly worm races are the reason they attend the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.woollyworm.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Woolly Worm Festival<\/a>. But it\u2019s not the only thing to do at the annual event \u2013 hundreds of juried vendors sell their handcrafted artwork, food trucks feed the masses, and entertainment plays in every corner of the open field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was entirely a coincidence that I checked into a condo for a one-week stay in Beech Mountain the day before the festival. \u201cAre you going to the Woolly Worm Festival?\u201d the woman asked as I picked up the keys. I didn\u2019t know the first thing about it \u2013 but it sounded intriguing. So the very next day, I drove down the mountain and found myself at the most bewildering and exciting festival I\u2019d ever attended.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"64454\" class=\"elementor elementor-64454\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c010e1 elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0c010e1\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"pinterest-box-parent\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-170c1fd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"170c1fd\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e683b31 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e683b31\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"pinterest-box\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b474027 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36.4 19.4 81.7 50.3 96.1 4.7 2.2 7.2 1.2 8.3-3.3.8-3.4 5-20.3 6.9-28.1.6-2.5.3-4.7-1.7-7.1-10.1-12.5-18.3-35.3-18.3-56.6 0-54.7 41.4-107.6 112-107.6 60.9 0 103.6 41.5 103.6 100.9 0 67.1-33.9 113.6-78 113.6-24.3 0-42.6-20.1-36.7-44.8 7-29.5 20.5-61.3 20.5-82.6 0-19-10.2-34.9-31.4-34.9-24.9 0-44.9 25.7-44.9 60.2 0 22 7.4 36.8 7.4 36.8s-24.5 103.8-29 123.2c-5 21.4-3 51.6-.9 71.2C65.4 450.9 0 361.1 0 256 0 119 111 8 248 8s248 111 248 248z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Save to pinterest<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-deb5590 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"deb5590\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"pinterest-box-image\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30c8d95 e-con-full e-flex 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now?<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-572cecf elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"572cecf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Save this page on Pinterest for later and don't forget to follow me for daily travel and road trip pins.<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9236b97 elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"9236b97\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/woolly-worm-festival\/&#038;media=https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Website-Pinterest-Image-jpg.webp\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-pinterest\" viewBox=\"0 0 496 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M496 256c0 137-111 248-248 248-25.6 0-50.2-3.9-73.4-11.1 10.1-16.5 25.2-43.5 30.8-65 3-11.6 15.4-59 15.4-59 8.1 15.4 31.7 28.5 56.8 28.5 74.8 0 128.7-68.8 128.7-154.3 0-81.9-66.9-143.2-152.9-143.2-107 0-163.9 71.8-163.9 150.1 0 36.4 19.4 81.7 50.3 96.1 4.7 2.2 7.2 1.2 8.3-3.3.8-3.4 5-20.3 6.9-28.1.6-2.5.3-4.7-1.7-7.1-10.1-12.5-18.3-35.3-18.3-56.6 0-54.7 41.4-107.6 112-107.6 60.9 0 103.6 41.5 103.6 100.9 0 67.1-33.9 113.6-78 113.6-24.3 0-42.6-20.1-36.7-44.8 7-29.5 20.5-61.3 20.5-82.6 0-19-10.2-34.9-31.4-34.9-24.9 0-44.9 25.7-44.9 60.2 0 22 7.4 36.8 7.4 36.8s-24.5 103.8-29 123.2c-5 21.4-3 51.6-.9 71.2C65.4 450.9 0 361.1 0 256 0 119 111 8 248 8s248 111 248 248z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Save to Pinterest<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fec671c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"fec671c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Website-Pinterest-Image-jpg.webp\" title=\"\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group toc-container\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-table-of-contents\">Table of Contents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list toc-list-bottom\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/woolly-worm-festival\/#h-how-did-the-woolly-worm-festival-begin\">How Did the Woolly Worm Festival Begin?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/woolly-worm-festival\/#h-when-is-the-woolly-worm-festival-in-2022\">When is the Woolly Worm Festival in 2023?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/woolly-worm-festival\/#h-the-woolly-worm-race\">The Woolly Worm Race<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/woolly-worm-festival\/#h-juried-craft-vendors\">Juried Craft Vendors<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/woolly-worm-festival\/#h-food-at-the-woolly-worm-festival\">Food at the Woolly Worm Festival<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/woolly-worm-festival\/#h-parking-at-the-woolly-worm-festival\">Parking at the Woolly Worm Festival<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/woolly-worm-festival\/#h-tips-for-the-best-experience\">Tips for the Best Experience<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/woolly-worm-festival\/#h-places-to-stay\">Places to Stay<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"47637\" class=\"elementor elementor-47637\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b317ab2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b317ab2\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"mediavine-advertisement-desktop\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91875b8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"91875b8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-450af8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"450af8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">advertisement<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7685227 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7685227\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content_hint\">\u00a0<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/woolly-worm-festival\/?tp_image_id=52945\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb007-1800x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52945\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb007-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb007-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb007-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb007-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb007-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb007.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-did-the-woolly-worm-festival-begin\"><strong>How Did the Woolly Worm Festival Begin?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1978, <em>Grease <\/em>premiered during the summer movie season, NASA unveiled the first group of female astronauts, and the residents of Banner Elk held the first Woolly Worm Festival. Although the idea for a fall festival had come about a few years earlier, it wasn\u2019t until Jim Morton moved to the small mountain community that the woolly worm became involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of Morton\u2019s earliest adventures in the area was a trip to Grandfather Mountain. During the visit, he learned about the local folklore of the woolly worm\u2019s ability to predict the upcoming winter\u2019s weather. He became fascinated with the prognosticator.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"59872\" class=\"elementor elementor-59872\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a93b79 elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6a93b79\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"mediavine-advertisement-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f47d793 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f47d793\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b537ca5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b537ca5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">advertisement<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9cd65f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9cd65f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content_hint\">\u00a0<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n<p><strong>READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/road-trip-blue-ridge-parkway\/\">Road Trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A few years later, Morton wrote an article for <em>Mountain Living Magazine,<\/em> including a section predicting the winter\u2019s weather. He photographed the first woolly worm he found and used that as the basis for his prediction. But the very next day, he found another woolly worm with an entirely different forecast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Morton was pleasantly frustrated by the encounter. How could the folklore be correct if woolly worms offered competing predictions? He realized there needed to be a way to select which woolly worm would be crowned as the ultimate prognosticator. He approached the committee formulating a plan for a fall festival and suggested the featured event be a woolly worm race. The idea took off \u2013 and the Woolly Worm Festival became a reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group story\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>Short Story<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-folklore-of-the-woolly-worm-s-winter-prediction\"><strong>Folklore of the Woolly Worm\u2019s Winter Prediction<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The woolly worm\u2019s body is divided into 13 sections \u2013 coinciding with the number of weeks of winter. A furry coat develops on each section and is typically colored either brown or maroon. According to folklore, a black section predicts harsh winter weather while a brown section predicts mild weather.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\t\t<section data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"27930\" class=\"elementor elementor-27930\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c478303 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c478303\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-afb5e21 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"afb5e21\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-894aa4e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"894aa4e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-df83c1e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"df83c1e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">do you love<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3badda2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3badda2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">road trips?<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9eef3ab elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9eef3ab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Sign up and be the first to read new road trip itineraries and destination guides.<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c372a9 elementor-mobile-button-align-stretch elementor-button-align-stretch elementor-widget elementor-widget-form\" data-id=\"2c372a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;button_width&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;step_next_label&quot;:&quot;Next&quot;,&quot;step_previous_label&quot;:&quot;Previous&quot;,&quot;step_type&quot;:&quot;number_text&quot;,&quot;step_icon_shape&quot;:&quot;circle&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"form.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<form class=\"elementor-form\" method=\"post\" name=\"New Form\">\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"post_id\" value=\"27930\"\/>\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"form_id\" value=\"2c372a9\"\/>\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"referer_title\" value=\"Road Trips &amp; Coffee\" \/>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-form-fields-wrapper elementor-labels-\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-email elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-email elementor-col-80 elementor-field-required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"form-field-email\" class=\"elementor-field-label elementor-screen-only\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmail\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input size=\"1\" type=\"email\" name=\"form_fields[email]\" id=\"form-field-email\" class=\"elementor-field elementor-size-md  elementor-field-textual\" placeholder=\"Email\" required=\"required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-type-submit elementor-col-20 e-form__buttons\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"elementor-button elementor-size-md\" type=\"submit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Sign Up<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/form>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-78e00f4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"78e00f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Yes! I would like to receive updates, special offers, and other \ninformation from Road Trips &amp; Coffee.<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/woolly-worm-festival\/?tp_image_id=52946\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb122-1800x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52946\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb122-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb122-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb122-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb122-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb122-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb122.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In 2019, the fall colors had just started turning by the third weekend of October. But just a week later, the colors exploded across the mountains. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-when-is-the-woolly-worm-festival-in-2023\"><strong>When is the Woolly Worm Festival in 2023?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Every festival since the inaugural in 1978 has been held on the third weekend of October. The timing can sometimes perfectly align with the peak of fall colors in the area and usually includes cooler, more comfortable daytime temps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 46<sup>th<\/sup> Annual Woolly Worm Festival will take place on October 21-22, 2023, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Woolly Worm Festival Race \u2013 the featured event for most attendees \u2013 begins around 9 a.m. on Saturday with the first of several dozen heats. Each heat lasts about 15 minutes with about a 10-minute break in between each. The final race \u2013 leading to the announcement of the champion \u2013 begins around 5 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Corporate Woolly Worm Race is held on Sunday. This smaller race features woolly worms sponsored by local businesses. The sponsoring business of the winner gets a trophy and bragging rights for the following year!<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"47637\" class=\"elementor elementor-47637\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b317ab2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b317ab2\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"mediavine-advertisement-desktop\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91875b8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"91875b8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-450af8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"450af8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">advertisement<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7685227 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7685227\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content_hint\">\u00a0<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/woolly-worm-festival\/?tp_image_id=52938\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb095-1800x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52938\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb095-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb095-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb095-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb095-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb095-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb095.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Woolly worms climb a four-foot string during each race &#8211; if they climb at all. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-woolly-worm-race\"><strong>The Woolly Worm Race<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>An elevated stage dominated one corner of the festival ground. A vibrant yellow wall \u2013 painted for contrast against the woolly worms \u2013 stretched the length of the stage. Every few feet, a four-foot length of thin white string ran vertically between two screws, creating \u201clanes\u201d for the race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anyone can enter the woolly worm race. All that\u2019s required is a small entry fee, a woolly worm, and a clever name. Most people arrive with their own woolly worms captured somewhere in the western North Carolina mountains \u2013 but you could also purchase a caterpillar at the entry table. As for the clever name, a few examples include Fuzz Lightyear, Dale Wormhardt, and Woolly Smith \u2013 what will you name yours?<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"59872\" class=\"elementor elementor-59872\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a93b79 elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6a93b79\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"mediavine-advertisement-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f47d793 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f47d793\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b537ca5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b537ca5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">advertisement<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9cd65f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9cd65f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content_hint\">\u00a0<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n<p>The race has grown to hundreds of entries in recent years, forcing the organizers to expand the heats \u2013 or smaller qualifying races \u2013 to twenty-five racers at a time. The announcement for the upcoming heat blares over the speakers, and handlers \u2013 woolly worms in hand \u2013 make their way to the stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Adam Binder \u2013 better known at the festival as Mr. Woolly Worm II \u2013 lays out the ground rules for the race. \u201cDon\u2019t place your woolly worm on the string until I say go. Once you release your woolly worm, you cannot touch it again until the race is over. However, you\u2019re allowed to blow on them with the straws we provided to encourage them to climb faster.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/woolly-worm-festival\/?tp_image_id=52939\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb118-1800x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52939\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb118-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb118-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb118-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb118-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb118-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb118.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Adam Binder &#8211; also known as Mr. Woolly Worm II &#8211; in his official festival garb.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Binder took on the role as the official commentator of the woolly worm races in 2017 following the retirement of Roy Krege \u2013 also known as Mr. Woolly Worm \u2013 after serving in the position for 38 years. But Binder did not walk into the position \u2013 he endured 7 years as an apprentice under Krege before he was granted the moniker Mr. Woolly Worm II.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The stage was crowded with twenty-five handlers gingerly holding their woolly worms, a friend or family member, and support staff to monitor the race. Binder lifts the microphone to his bearded face, a shadow cast from the ballcap covered in stuffed woolly worms. \u201cOn your mark. Get set. Go!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Almost at once, thousands of spectators began clapping and cheering. Binder provided live commentary, his voice echoing across the festival ground and drowning out the murmurs of a hundred conversations. Wool-Verine was in the lead, but Night Flurry was catching up fast \u2013 no, wait, now Pokey had taken the lead! The crowd erupted into a thunderous ovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"47637\" class=\"elementor elementor-47637\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b317ab2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b317ab2\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"mediavine-advertisement-desktop\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91875b8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"91875b8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-450af8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"450af8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">advertisement<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7685227 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7685227\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content_hint\">\u00a0<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n<p>It was bewildering to witness \u2013 especially considering all the hoopla was about a race between twenty-five woolly worms. Eventually, one of the caterpillars reached the red tape at the top of the string, and a winner was announced. Squeals pierced the air from the teenage winner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1988 \u2013 just before the 11<sup>th<\/sup> annual Woolly Worm Festival \u2013 Jim Morton wrote in the <em>Johnson City Press<\/em>, \u201cTo find one specific caterpillar for an official prognostication is the essential purpose of the popular woolly worm races.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that&#8217;s exactly what they do. Dozens of heats throughout the day &#8211; each lasting a mere 15 minutes &#8211; leads to a semi-finals round, and eventually the finals. Around 4 p.m. Saturday, as the crowds begin to thin and vendors start winding down, the final race begins. The race victor will be crowned the official prognosticator, and the color bands read aloud as the official prediction for the upcoming winter&#8217;s weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group did-you-know\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-did-you-know\">Did You Know?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The woolly worm is not a worm at all. It is the Isabella Tiger Moth caterpillar. The caterpillar has a woolly fur coat that first led to the nickname, and the Southern folklore of its weather predictions cemented the name. However, throughout the New England and Midwestern states, the caterpillar is known by another inaccurate nickname \u2013 the \u201cwoolly bear.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"42913\" class=\"elementor elementor-42913\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9576e93 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9576e93\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"internal-advertisement\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40ca1a8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"40ca1a8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-58d21f2 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget-mobile__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"58d21f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/20210319-castillo-de-san-marcos-national-monument-jb0124-1800x1200.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-76385 not-transparent\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/20210319-castillo-de-san-marcos-national-monument-jb0124-1800x1200.webp 1800w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/20210319-castillo-de-san-marcos-national-monument-jb0124-1200x800.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/20210319-castillo-de-san-marcos-national-monument-jb0124-390x260.webp 390w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/20210319-castillo-de-san-marcos-national-monument-jb0124-768x511.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/20210319-castillo-de-san-marcos-national-monument-jb0124-1536x1023.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/20210319-castillo-de-san-marcos-national-monument-jb0124-150x100.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/20210319-castillo-de-san-marcos-national-monument-jb0124-jpg.webp 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" data-dominant-color=\"a4afbc\" style=\"--dominant-color: #a4afbc\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/woolly-worm-festival\/?tp_image_id=76385\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e097fff e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e097fff\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b9096b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2b9096b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">National Park Week 2024<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e18b7c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9e18b7c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Learn about the annual celebration of the National Park System and read my travel guides to national park units across the country.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d8f014 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"0d8f014\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/national-park-week\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-arrow-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M190.5 66.9l22.2-22.2c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0L441 239c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9L246.6 467.3c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.2-22.2c-9.5-9.5-9.3-25 .4-34.3L311.4 296H24c-13.3 0-24-10.7-24-24v-32c0-13.3 10.7-24 24-24h287.4L190.9 101.2c-9.8-9.3-10-24.8-.4-34.3z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Read about national park week<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/woolly-worm-festival\/?tp_image_id=52940\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb015-1800x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52940\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb015-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb015-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb015-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb015-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb015-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb015.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">There are all sorts of items for sale from the craft vendors, but they all had one thing in common: they were handcrafted.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-juried-craft-vendors\"><strong>Juried Craft Vendors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ever since the inaugural Woolly Worm Festival, juried craft vendors have been a main staple of the weekend event. A festival committee examines the artwork of all applicants to determine if they are genuinely handcrafted. As a result, you won\u2019t find antique dealers or dollar store candelabras at this festival!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the center of the festival grounds, nearly 200 brilliant white tent tops stand above the sea of festival goers. Beneath each top, a vendor has tables, shelves, and bins stocked full of handcrafted artwork for sale. Woodworking, jewelry, clothing \u2013 you\u2019ll also find fine art photography and stunning pieces of home d\u00e9cor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ll admit I did not spend much time browsing the vendor booths \u2013 but others sure did. At the 10\u2019 entrance to each booth, a gaggle of window shoppers jostled for position with earnest buyers. People walked away with artwork wrapped in bubble wrap or shopping bags stuffed full. Two men slowly worked their way through the crowd with an endless string of excuse me\u2019s as they carried a ginormous wooden eagle carved with a chainsaw.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"47637\" class=\"elementor elementor-47637\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b317ab2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b317ab2\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"mediavine-advertisement-desktop\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91875b8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"91875b8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-450af8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"450af8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">advertisement<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7685227 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7685227\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content_hint\">\u00a0<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-food-at-the-woolly-worm-festival\"><strong>Food at the Woolly Worm Festival<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m fairly certain the \u201csecret\u201d ingredient in all festival food is grease. But I guess that\u2019s not much of a secret, considering I could hear the deep fryers fifty feet away from the nearest food truck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A long row of food trucks and trailers lined the back of the festival grounds. Lights glittered overhead as thin wisps of smoke disappeared into the sky. Enormous menu boards presented just about every kind of food you could imagine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lines moved quickly. In less than five minutes, I walked away with a basket of chili cheese fries and chicken tenders. But, hey \u2013 my watch had already notified me of achieving my walking goal for the day, so I could binge just a little, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/woolly-worm-festival\/?tp_image_id=52942\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb001-1800x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52942\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb001-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb001-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb001-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb001-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb001-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb001.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I wish I would have seen this sign before parking nearly a mile away in a gravel lot without any restrooms.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-parking-at-the-woolly-worm-festival\"><strong>Parking at the Woolly Worm Festival<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I had it easy. From my condo on Beech Mountain, all I had to do was descend the mountain through about a dozen hairpin curves, and I came out on Main Street in Banner Elk near Lees-McRae College. A vacant lot on the corner had been co-opted by a non-profit for the weekend &#8211; $10 cash, and I was safely parked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Depending on which direction brings you into Banner Elk, you may have it that easy \u2013 but it could potentially be much more difficult. It seemed the worst way to enter town during the festival was Tynecastle Highway \u2013 NC Highway 184 from near Grandfather Mountain. Festival goers crossed the road \u2013 often outside the crosswalks \u2013 halting traffic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During the Woolly Worm Festival, local non-profit organizations take the opportunity to raise money for their causes. Parking lots at Lees-McRae College, local churches, and banks are taken over for the weekend, and parking is permitted for a small cash fee. The average attendee spends about 2-3 hours at the festival, so parking lots often have a few empty spaces throughout the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"47637\" class=\"elementor elementor-47637\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b317ab2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b317ab2\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"mediavine-advertisement-desktop\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91875b8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"91875b8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-450af8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"450af8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">advertisement<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7685227 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7685227\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content_hint\">\u00a0<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1195\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/woolly-worm-festival\/?tp_image_id=52943\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb233-1800x1195.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52943\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb233-1800x1195.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb233-1200x797.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb233-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb233-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb233-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20191019-banner-elk-north-carolina-jb233.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Win or lose (this couple obviously won) the biggest tip I can give anyone is just to have fun!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tips-for-the-best-experience\"><strong>Tips for the Best Experience<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even after reading everything in this guide \u2013 because you did read everything \u2013 there are still a few more tips for the best experience at the Woolly Worm Festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-default\">\n<li>Bring cash to pay for parking and those vendors that do not take credit or debit cards \u2013 there are no ATMs at the festival, but there are nearby banks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Arrive early and leave late to avoid the inevitable traffic jam<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make reservations \u2013 if allowed \u2013 at local restaurants if you want lunch or dinner<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be prepared for unpredictable weather \u2013 it could be hot, cold, raining, or snowing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you purchase large pieces of artwork, ask the vendor if you can meet them after festival hours for easier pick up<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do not publicly denounce the ability of the woolly worm to accurately predict winter weather \u2013 this is for your own safety from the locals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1195\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/woolly-worm-festival\/?tp_image_id=52944\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20210430-blowing-rock-north-carolina-jb053-1800x1195.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52944\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20210430-blowing-rock-north-carolina-jb053-1800x1195.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20210430-blowing-rock-north-carolina-jb053-1200x797.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20210430-blowing-rock-north-carolina-jb053-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20210430-blowing-rock-north-carolina-jb053-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20210430-blowing-rock-north-carolina-jb053-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20210430-blowing-rock-north-carolina-jb053.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Blowing Rock Inn features no-frill, comfortable rooms about twenty-five minutes from Banner Elk.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-places-to-stay\"><strong>Places to Stay<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Banner Elk area is known for its ski resorts \u2013 Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain are two of the most popular skiing destinations in the state. Condos, rental homes, and cabins are plentiful throughout the area. While these are great options, the full kitchens and locations might be overkill for a festival getaway over the weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are a few places in Banner Elk to stay, including a lovely bed and breakfast within walking distance of the Woolly Worm Festival. But the best places to stay for the festival are in nearby Boone and Blowing Rock. Here are some options to help you plan the best weekend getaway for the festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group pro-travel-tip\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-pro-travel-tip\">Pro Travel Tip<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Make weekend bookings for any of these properties as far in advance as possible. Weekends tend to book up fast, especially once the fall colors start changing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-banner-elk\"><strong>Banner Elk<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Best Western is the only chain hotel in Banner Elk \u2013 fortunately, it\u2019s a great option. With an outdoor swimming pool and two beds in all the rooms, the hotel is a great option for families. The only downside to this motel is that it\u2019s not within walking distance to the festival. Book now with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/us\/best-western-plus-mountain-lodge-at-banner-elk.html?aid=1608798\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Booking.com<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/expedia.com\/affiliate\/mlPcsKf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Expedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Little Main Street Inn &amp; Suites is one of the best options for places to stay during the festival. With free on-site parking, you can leave the car behind while walking about half a mile along Main Street to the festival. Each room is nicely equipped for a perfectly comfortable weekend getaway. Book now with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/us\/little-main-street-inn.html?aid=1608798\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Booking.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/theazaleainnbb.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Azalea Inn Bed and Breakfast<\/a> is a charming and comfortable place to stay \u2013 and the building sits on a corner lot across from the festival! It would provide the shortest walk and best place to stay for this particular weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At <a href=\"https:\/\/www.perryhouse.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Perry House Bed and Breakfast<\/a>, guests can sleep in renovated rooms inside a 1901 farmhouse. The B&amp;B sits on a hill just above Main Street \u2013 guests can sit on the covered front porch and watch the festival before taking the short walk down the street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Beech Mountain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Beech Mountain is the best place to stay during the festival because it&#8217;s the easiest way into town. Find 2-night rentals at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mrbeech.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Charlie&#8217;s Beech Mountain Realty &amp; Rentals<\/a> that will be perfect for the festival. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.beechgetaway.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Beech Mountain Getaway<\/a> has a few vacation homes, cabins, and condos with spectacular views. These require a 3-night minimum stay &#8211; but you might want more after seeing the view. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-boone\"><strong>Boone<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>TownePlace Suites is always a great place for families to stay. Free on-site parking, an indoor swimming pool, and an outdoor cooking area with a firepit are a few of the fantastic amenities. The suites come with fully equipped kitchens and sleeper sofas. Book now with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/us\/towneplace-suites-boone.html?aid=1608798\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Booking.com<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/expedia.com\/affiliate\/eKb8btJ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Expedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fairfield Inn &amp; Suites offers an indoor swimming pool, free on-site parking, and comfortable rooms with one or two beds. Book now with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/us\/fairfield-inn-boone1.html?aid=1608798\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Booking.com<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/expedia.com\/affiliate\/VZquWJB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Expedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hampton Inn &amp; Suites is the hotel chain I recommend more than any other. The complementary, hot breakfast cooked every morning cannot be beaten by any other hotel chain. Along with an indoor swimming pool, rooms for solo travelers or entire families, and free on-site parking, this would be a fantastic place to stay. Book now with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/us\/hampton-inn-suites-boone-nc.html?aid=1608798\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Booking.com<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/expedia.com\/affiliate\/tQUUphI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Expedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-blowing-rock\"><strong>Blowing Rock<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Chetola Resort is the pinnacle of overnight lodging in Blowing Rock. The 3-star resort features an indoor swimming pool, on-site bar and restaurant, room service, and epically comfortable rooms. It might be tempting to never leave the lodge! Book now with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/us\/chetola-resort-at-blowing-rock-inn-amp-lodge.html?aid=1608798\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Booking.com<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/expedia.com\/affiliate\/G6WTSiZ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Expedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With an indoor swimming pool, complimentary breakfast, and plenty of on-site parking, the Meadowbrook Inn would be a great place to stay in Blowing Rock. The rooms are simply gorgeous with large picture windows, optional gas fireplaces, and comfortable furnishings. Book now with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/us\/meadowbrook-inn-amp-suites.html?aid=1608798\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Booking.com<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/expedia.com\/affiliate\/BlQWF59\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Expedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Blowing Rock Inn is a no-frills roadside motel where I spent several nights once before. The rooms are comfortable, simplistic, and rustic \u2013 but nothing was better than the wicker furniture on a covered front porch each morning to enjoy my coffee. Book now with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/us\/blowing-rock-inn.html?aid=1608798\">Booking.com<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/expedia.com\/affiliate\/21dLLAO\">Expedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re looking for a more traditional hotel experience in Blowing Rock, the Holiday Inn Express is about five minutes from the downtown area. The rooms are comfortable, but the hotel offers few amenities other than free on-site parking and Wi-Fi. Book now with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/us\/holiday-inn-express-blowing-rock-south.html?aid=1608798\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Booking.com<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/expedia.com\/affiliate\/GYfXodP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Expedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Get all the details on the festival dates, juried craft vendors, food, and the popular woolly worm race.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":52949,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3926],"tags":[635,3366],"national-forest-acf":[],"national-park-sites":[],"sponsored-post":[],"states-regions":[4075],"test":[],"travel-resources":[],"resources":[],"holiday":[],"locations":[3496],"rev-war":[],"class_list":["post-52937","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-destination","tag-autumn","tag-instagram-feed","states-regions-north-carolina","locations-north-carolina"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Travel Guide to the Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk, NC (Updated for 2023)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Get all the details on the festival dates, juried craft vendors, food, and the popular woolly worm race.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/woolly-worm-festival\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Travel Guide to the Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk, NC (Updated for 2023)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Get all the details on the festival dates, juried craft vendors, food, and the popular woolly worm race.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/woolly-worm-festival\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Road Trips &amp; 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