BANNER ELK, N, C, -- For 34 years this little picturesque town in the mountains of wesern Nortn Carolina plays host to thousands of people who want to take part in a huge festival starring woolly worms.

According to local legend oldtimers say the worms are an accurate way to predict the degree of harshness of local winters.

This year's event is set for Oct. 15-16.

This family event, co-hosted by the Avery County Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Organization of Banner Elk, is expected to be attended by more than 23,000 people.

The worms are the stars but there will be lots of music, food and crafts to keep visitors busy.

Those attending even get a chance to win big bucks in the annual Woolly Worm race.

The High Country events begin at 9 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, with entertainment all day. Bring your dance shows because you never know when a line dance will begin. Great music by local groups and check out the wace stage for impromptu guests.


The added time at the festival gives festival goers more time to take in the over 140 food and craft vendors with their handcrafted items, plus rides, musicians and dance teams.


Expected to be on hand is many returning vendors who make worm houses and pins, face painting and also include artists who do photography, pottery, stained glass and much more.

“It’s a great festival, as it has something for everyone,” says Roy Krege, also known as Mr. Woolly Worm, one of the many volunteers helping to organize the event and add to its success.

Participants wishing to race their worm may register at 9 a.m., and shortly after that races begin. 25 worms are in each heat, “but please come early as race entries fill up early and we want,” says Director of the Chamber, Susan Freeman.

Saturday’s winning Woolly Worm holds the esteemed honor of predicting the winter weather season and the Woolly Worm wins prize monies of $1,000, which the winning worm shares with its owner. Sunday’s winning Woolly Worm is worth $500.

For more information contact The Avery County Chamber of Commerce at 800-972-2183 or visit their website at www.averycounty.com.

This story was published on 29 Aug 2011.