Woolly Worm Gazette 2017

Woolly Worm GAZETTE 2017

40TH

ANNUAL

The Official Guide to the 40th Annual Woolly Worm Festival

OCTOBER 21 & 22

Roy Krege, Mr. Wooly Worm

· Four Decades of Giving (Festival Philanthropy) · New Limited Edition Collector’s Book · Training a Worm to Victory

Jim Morton, Woolly Worm Founder

· Tribute to Festival Pioneers Jim Morton & Roy Krege · Woolly Wules & Wegulations · 2016: A Look Back Illustration design by Nancy Morrison & Danica Goodman

A Special Publication of

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WOOLLY WORM GAZETTE

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Have a wild and WOOLLY time at Banner Elk Woolly Worm Festival

BY JAMIE SHELL editor@averyjournal.com

F

or 40 years residents of the High Country and beyond have set aside the third weekend in October of every year to celebrate a festival dedicated to the fuzzy, furry woolly worm. This year’s edition of Banner Elk’s Woolly Worm Festival occurs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 22, at Historic Banner Elk School in downtown Banner Elk. The festival, which started on a cool, blustery day in its first year of competition with only 63 worms and eight heats, has grown to FILE PHOTO more than The woolly worm shines in the spotlight 1,200 worms, during the 40th annual Banner Elk Woolly Worm Festival on Oct 21 and 22, at 25 worms in each heat, with Historic Banner Elk School in downtown owners hoping Banner Elk. that theirs is the resourceful worm that will win the grand prize of $1,000 that is awarded on Saturday.

Banner Elk Woolly Worm Festival is sponsored by Banner Elk Kiwanis and Avery County Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s a great festival, as it has something for everyone,” said Roy Krege, who for the past four decades served as “Mr. Woolly Worm” before hanging up his colorful festival-inspired suit following the 2016 event.

Participants may provide their own worm to race, or worms may be bought onsite for a small fee.

Besides the obvious motivation that cash provides, the winning worm is also given the distinction of being used as the “worm of record” to predict the weather for Banner Elk and the surrounding High Country during the winter months to come. The champion woolly worm’s markings are interpreted by 7’2” former North Carolina State University star player, 1972 Olympic basketball team member and Avery County native Tommy Burleson. The bands of fur on the worm that vary in shading and color between brown and black determine the weather forecast. The 13 segments on the woolly worm’s back correspond to the 13 weeks of winter, progressing from the head to the tail. The darker the band, the more severe the weather forecast for that week.

The fun doesn’t stop with Saturday’s races. Competition continues from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, as racers compete for the ultimate goal of taking home the Sunday grand purse of $500. Generally, statistics show that there are fewer heats that occur on Sunday, which naturally increases a competitor’s opportunity to haul in extra spending cash with the help of a furry friend.

To race a worm, the cost is $5.

In addition to the races, there will be food and craft vendors throughout the festival grounds with artifacts, various snacks and meal items as dulcet tones from the onsite DJ fills and air.

For more information, contact Avery County Chamber of Commerce at (828) 898-5605 or click to www.averycounty. com.

PHOTO BY JIM MORTON The champion woolly worm at the 2016 Woolly Worm Festival was Hans Solo, who was handled by owner Reyn Beekman of Boone. Hans Solo was examined by official festival forecaster Tommy Burleson. The annual festival celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2017 on Oct. 21 and 22.

WOOLLY WORM GAZETTE

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Woolly Worm Legends Jim Morton, Roy Krege honored at 40th festival “I was immediately struck by the need to have a process for selecting which woolly worm to believe,” Morton said in the interview. “We also needed an annual event for Banner Elk. The two problems solved each other.”

Morton passed away on April 1, leaving behind a legacy that has touched hundreds of thousands of lives. From his mountainous work on Grandfather Mountain to his passion for the diminutive woolly worm, Morton will be remembered especially for his love of these two things, the great and the small.

BY MATT DEBNAM matt.debnam@averyjournal.com

I

t’s that time of year again. The cool, crisp winds of autumn are in the air, and Avery County is crawling with the wonderful little brown-and-black creatures known as woolly worms, a sure sign that one of the area’s largest and most well-attended events has arrived.

While each instance of the Woolly Worm Festival is unique and special, this year’s event marks a particularly significant milestone, as the festival celebrates its 40th anniversary.

In addition to celebrating four decades of wild and woolly fun, this year’s festival will celebrate the legacies of Jim Morton and Roy “Mr. Woolly Worm” Krege, two men who made the festival what it is today.

In many ways, the Woolly Worm Festival has come a long way since its humble origins in 1977. While the first year saw 63 contestants, today the festival draws an average of 20,000 people to Banner Elk, with 1,000 contestants over the course of the weekend.

The event garners tremendous media coverage both locally and nationally. Behind the growth and success of the festival, two men can be credited with bringing the Woolly Worm Festival to mass popularity.

JIM MORTON, FOUNDER OF THE FESTIVAL The first, Jim Morton, in addition to being a tremendous advocate for conservation on Grandfather Mountain, was also the founder of the Woolly Worm Festival, tirelessly promoting the event throughout the years.

Always known for his steady hand on the shutter button, Morton had a special gift for capturing the excitement of the event on film.

“A gentleman who worked at Grandfather Mountain told me about woolly worms being

ROY KREGE, “MR. WOOLLY WORM”

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION Festival founder Jim Morton, who passed away at age 65 in April, is remembered not only as the man who dreamed up the Woolly Worm Festival, but also as a champion for conservation and stewardship on Grandfather Mountain. Like his father, the late Hugh Morton, Jim was never far from his camera, always striving to capture on film the people around him and the wonders of the natural world.

used to forecast the winter,” Morton said in an interview with The Watauga Democrat.

“When I finally found a woolly worm, it was completely brown from end to end. I come home from (a) meeting, and right there on my porch was another woolly worm with a

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FILE PHOTO No one, save Jim Morton, has been a greater advocate for the Woolly Worm Festival than Roy “Mr. Woolly Worm” Krege, pictured here in his signature threads promoting the festival at an after hours event in Banner Elk.

lot of black on it, and only a minimal amount of brown.”

But which worm would be used to forecast the winter’s impact? According to legend, Morton had the epiphany to hold races as he watched a woolly worm crawl up a long blade of grass. To this day, the fastest worm during the Saturday competition is used to predict snowfall for any given week of winter based on the coloration of black and brown bands as read from head to tail.

Equally tireless in his promotion of the festival, this year’s event will also honor Roy Krege, known to many festival attendees simply as “Mr. Woolly Worm.” Always one to stand out in the crowd, thanks to his signature pink pants and yellow jacket, Krege has been a constant presence at the Woolly Worm Festival since its inception.

From selling funnel cakes with his wife, Marion, during the first event to officiating and announcing the vast majority of races at the festival, Krege, in his role as “Mr. Woolly Worm,” has become synonymous with the festival in the hearts and minds of many.

Always quick to place a woolly worm sticker on anyone in reach, Krege has spent years building excitement about the festival both in Avery County and beyond.

From hosting woolly worm races at local elementary schools to appearing on regional television broadcasts to promote the festival, Krege has poured himself into the Woolly Worm Festival for decades, sharing his genuine love for the woolly worm to hundreds of thousands of people.

“If you can touch a life, your life is also touched,” Krege said in an interview last year. “Some philosophies say the reason SEE LEGENDS ON PAGE 4

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WOOLLY WORM GAZETTE

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PHOTO BY MATT DEBNAM, ILLUSTRATION BY NANCY MORRISON Roy Krege and Jim Morton were recognized for 40 years of service to the Woolly Worm Festival during the Sept. 19 meeting of the Banner Elk Kiwanis Club. Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Executive Director Jesse Pope is pictured here with Krege, accepting a framed festival poster on behalf of the Morton family.

Thursday, October 12, 2017

PHOTO BY JIM MORTON Always behind the camera eye, one of Jim Morton’s favorite Woolly Worm shots was the classic worm-onthe-nose. Here, Bailey Bartlett of Linville smiles for the camera in one of Morton’s photos.

LEGENDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

people do things like this is for their own good. Yes, it does make a difference in your life if you’re helping others. But at the same time, you’re touching other people.”

While his retirement announcement at the conclusion of the 2016 festival was met with sadness by many, Krege’s departure from the spotlight marks the beginning of a new era for the festival, as a trio known as the “Three Wormateers” takes up the mantle to host the festival.

Krege, the longest-serving member of the Banner Elk Kiwanis Club, has also held a number of positions at LeesMcRae College and was principal at the Grandfather Academy charter school. He has also been named Avery County Man of the Year and has been honored as one of the Legends of Avery County.

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Tuesday, Sept. 19 marked a very special meeting of the Banner Elk Kiwanis Club. Meeting at the Grandfather Mountain Nature Museum, the club gathered for the special purpose of recognizing the contributions of Morton and Krege to the Woolly Worm Festival.

In honor of the pair’s dedication to the festival over the years, the Woolly Worm Committee presented framed prints of this year’s festival poster, commemorating a combined 80 years of service to the event. Standing beside his wife, Marion, Krege accepted the gift with a smile.

“It’s been great,” Krege said. “I’m thrilled at how successful it’s been, and I’m more thrilled about the lives we’ve touched.

Not only with all the people that come to the festival and enjoy it so much, but the money that was then able to give back to so many needy organizations and especially to touch the lives of children.”

Accepting the framed poster on behalf of the Morton fami-

PHOTO BY MATT DEBNAM Event organizers Melynda Pepple, Mary Jo Brubaker, Kathy Boone and Adam Binder gave Roy Krege one final round of applause after the legendary “Mr. Woolly Worm” announced his retirement at the conclusion of the 2016 festival.

ly, Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Director Jesse Pope offered a few words on a man he considered a mentor and a friend.

“This was one of the things that Jim was most proud of,” Pope said. “He really was so proud of that event and he would go every year to see the crowd and the kids. He had a huge heart for children. We certainly miss Jim. He would be so proud of this day and where this festival is.”

In celebration of the pair’s contributions to the festival, this year’s commemorative poster features images of the two men, Morton with his camera in hand, and Krege in his signature Woolly Worm attire. A limited number of commemorative posters will be for sale during the festival.

For more stories of the many adventures of Jim Morton and Roy Krege over the years, as well as the growth of the festival, pick up a copy of the Woolly Worm History Booklet, available for purchase at information booths near the festival entrances.

Thursday, October 12, 2017

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Woolly Worm makes monumental impact

BY MATT DEBNAM matt.debnam@averyjournal.com

F

or such a small creature, the Woolly Worm makes a tremendous impact on the local community.

While the Woolly Worm Festival may seem on the surface to be largely fun and games, few visitors to Banner Elk on the third weekend of October realize the deep and lasting effect that their dollars have on Avery County.

For both the Banner Elk Kiwanis Club and the Avery County Chamber of Commerce, the festival is the primary fundraiser for the year. All of the funds raised, after covering festival expenses and setting aside startup funds for the next year, go to support projects that help to meet the needs of children and families in Avery County, one of the most impoverished counties in North Carolina.

Proceeds are divided equally between the Kiwanis Club and the Avery Chamber. While Kiwanis distributes its portion by awarding grants to good causes and organizations in the area, the Chamber uses its funds to promote and support local businesses that benefit the

PHOTO BY MATT DEBNAM A portion of last year’s proceeds went to support the Avery County Schools ‘Back to School Bash,’ an event held each August where students can receive backpacks filled with school supplies they will need for the coming year.

entire county.

The 2016-17 grants distributed by Kiwanis were generated by proceeds from the Woolly Worm Festival, July 4 Duck Races and sale of Grandfather Mountain Highland Games programs.

When you give to the Woolly Worm, you give to the greater good and make a difference in the lives of many people.

From the 2016 festival: • $17,600 was earmarked for teacher projects/aids at Avery County elementary schools.

• $6,000 distributed to three Avery County relief/ homeless agencies.

• $7,000 spent on Reading is Fundamental program.

• $2,000 for student

scholarships (Avery High School and Lees-McRae College).

• $5,000 for new playground equipment at Tate-Evans Town Park.

• $5,000 for Project Eliminate Project (ending neonatal tetanus around the world).

• $1,500 to support Back to School Bash (supplies for students as school year starts).

• $1,500 to support Back Pack Program (food for malnourished kids).

• $1,000 to support Linville Y summer program (scholarships for kids to attend summer camp).

• $1,350 to support Halloween events (safe/fun environment for kids) • $1,500 to support

Avery High Key Club (club that develops leadership/ giving among high school students).

• $1,300 to support local Scouting Troops.

• $2,000 to Avery YO! program.

• $700 to support Coat Drive.

• $1,000 to support Aktion Club.

• $3,550 to support other causes.

PHOTO BY JIM SWINKOLA Last year’s festival allowed the Kiwanis Club of Banner Elk to gift every elementary school student three books through its Reading is Fundamental program. Here, Newland Elementary students Miguel Vargas, left, and Salvador Barajas were happy to unload boxes of RIF books for their classmates.

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WOOLLY WORM GAZETTE

Thursday, October 12, 2017

2017 Woolly Worm Festival Committee

GRAPHIC BY MATT DEBNAM, WOOLLY WORM ILLUSTRATION BY NANCY MORRISON Behind the scenes at each Woolly Worm Festival, a hard-working and dedicated committee, made up of Kiwanians and members of the Avery County Chamber of Commerce, works year round to ensure the event’s success. This year’s committee, pictured clockwise from top left, are Mae Weed, Brenda Lyerly, Babette McAuliffe, Committee CoChair Kathy Boone, Melynda Pepple, Hallie Tucker, Committee Co-Chair Nancy Morrison, Shelly Johnston, Teresa Huffman and Amy Southern.

Thursday, October 12, 2017

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Woolly Worm Festival crawls to center stage

BY THOMAS SHERRILL thomas.sherrill@averyjournal.com

T

he town of Banner Elk, population just over 1,000 with one stop light, will see its population swell several times over as visitors from far and wide descend on an area of less than one city block on the third weekend of October in the name of a fuzzy creature no bigger than your thumb.

The event, the 40th Annual Woolly Worm Festival, will take place Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 21 and 22, on the front lawn of the Historic Banner Elk School.

“Having a festival of this size to a onestop-light town, with 10,000 people per day, it’s quite something,” said Avery County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Melynda Martin Pepple. “It just brings such an enormous economic advantage to Avery County. “ The festival is the big fall event in Banner Elk, culminating the fall leaf season and giving a glimpse into what the coming winter will hold.

The first sight visitors will see when arriving at the festival will be the sheer number of tents for the vendors at the event.

With more than 200 vendors, customers

can enjoy a little Christmas shopping with a wide variety of items and a selection of local foods and drink.

“There’s all the exciting vendors who have different crafts and food,” Pepple noted. “There’s a lot of commotion.”

Entertainment in the form of dancers and singers and musicians will be constantly ongoing throughout the two days, and kids will have ample amusement during the festival as inflatables, face painting and much more will be onsite.

“A lot of people coming up aren’t from here,” Pepple said. “People come from all over the United States.”

Down by Shawneehaw Avenue will have the heart of the festival, as the big board will feature Woolly Worm races, 25 at a time, starting promptly at 9 a.m.

“The uniqueness to race woolly worms up strings makes people go ‘wow’,” Pepple explained. “People rush in and there’s always a waiting line to get registered first.

It’s quite amazing.”

Admission for adults is only $6 and $4 for kids ages 6 to 12. Free parking is limited and entry into a Woolly Worm race is $5.

Bringing your own worm is encouraged,

PHOTO SUBMITTED Thousands of visitors from across the country will converge upon the town of Banner Elk for the 40th annual Banner Elk Woolly Worm Festival.

although the festival will raise about 2,500 worms for people to choose from for the two days.

The winner of the Saturday race receives $1,000 and the worm will be used to predict the forecast for the upcoming winter.

Sunday’s race, despite no weather-related prizes, will receive $500.

The 40th Annual Woolly Worm Festival is co-sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Banner Elk and the Avery County Chamber of Commerce. All proceeds are given back to the community to enhance our local schools, children’s programs, and to promote business and tourism in Avery

County.

“The most important piece of this festival is that the money goes back into the community,” Pepple said. “The key to it all is that the money goes back into the community for the children, school program, promote business and tourism in Avery County. That is what makes this what it is.”

“When people hear a festival of this size gives all of the funds back to the community, they’re amazed.”

Vendor setup will take place all day all to put the final touches on preparations for the opening on Saturday at 9 a.m.

How to twain your pet woolly worm

BY JAMES BRANCH james.branch@averyjournal.com

I

f you have ever seen the movie ”Rocky” you know what it takes to transform a 40 year old man into a boxing machine who still loses at the end of a very long movie. Drinking raw eggs, running up stairs, getting yelled at by a crotchety old man are all things that can help a human get into shape for a boxing match.

But Wooly Worms and their trainers look at that movie for inspiration for what NOT to do.

Trainers and worms alike scoff at the idea that training like that would help at all. A good woolly worm trainer knows that there are five key training exercises to do when getting your worm ready for the race.

If you and your woolly worm are serious about winning not only money, but the

prestige that comes with the trophy, then remember this simple acronym.

C.L.I.M.B. The C stands, of course, for “Climb.”

Your worm needs to be able to climb forwards, backwards, side to side and even upside down.

The rope at the festival is only three feet in length, but if you want your worm to be successful in the race, it has to be trained like a shark. Even in their sleep they still swim, and even in your woolly worm’s sleep, it needs to be climbing that dream rope to victory.

The L in CLIMB stands for “Love.” Now do not go soft and give your worm a day off. That is not what love is. But try to abstain from yelling, keep up the positive reinforcement, and shy away from using name calling or negativity that might persuade your champion worm to perform more like a chump.

One of the more important letters in

your worm’s training is I, which stands for “Initiative.”

Your worm needs to have the “want to” to finish first and win. You cannot, and I repeat, cannot beat the want to win or compete into them. Their father or mother may have been great woolly worms and won many a competition, but that does not mean it wants to follow those same wiggling steps.

Your woolly worm may want to be an artist, or a dancer, and if that is the case, there is really no reason to make them train for a competition they do not want to be a part of.

Now, just because they cannot or do not want to climb that silk rope to victory does not mean they cannot still be a part of the festival.

If your woolly worm would rather boogie the night away then look at letter M of our acronym. M stands for “Moves,” as in, “Your woolly worm has some fly moves,

my guy!”

This can be used to your advantage. Just let your woolly worm dance away, but on a three-foot string. Also, make sure it keeps dancing upwards.

Is it cruel? Maybe, but it’s a worm, and it can’t call you out on it.

Now this may come as a shock, but the last letter B stands for “Back story.”

It is not enough to just train a worm to climb up a rope any more. Watch any “American Idol” show or any “American Ninja Warrior” episode and you might notice something that all the winners have in common: a sad back story that the viewers can relate too, and a reason as to why they are doing what they are doing.

If your woolly worm can win the crowd over before the race even begins, then the other worms may as well go home.

So remember all you trainers out there, if you want to win that sweet $1,000 prize for first place, just remember to C.L.I.M.B.

WOOLLY WORM GAZETTE

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Thursday, October 12, 2017

Wules and Wegulations to wace a woolly worm

BY THOMAS SHERRILL thomas.sherrill@averyjournal.com

W

hen it comes to predicting this winter’s forecast, Woolly Worm racing means serious business.

The bragging rights and cash prize that comes with having the fastest Woolly Worm is a big deal, not to mention the distinction of your worm forecast that winter. Thus, the wild and wondrous racing requires a strict set of rules put together by the top minds and industry veterans.

Home-owned worms are encouraged to be brought, although they must pass a rigorous inspection by the

powers that be to determine that the worm is indeed eligible to compete. If an entrant doesn’t have a worm, one can be purchased for a small fee onsite.

Racers then must pay the steep admission fee of five dollars and perform the difficult task of naming their Woolly Worm. The wackier, the better. If you’re bringing your own Woolly Worm, it’s recommended to name him or her in advance, rather than having to name them on the spot at the festival.

Timeliness is key, as those who register early will race earlier. Heats are limited to 25 Woolly Worms each and the number of heats is contingent on number of entrants and the weather.

The entrants must pass the rigorous testing process and authenticated as 100 percent woolly and worm.

To make sure the entrants are legit Woolly Worms, they must have 13 segments and some color variation of black and brown. If a woolly-looking worm doesn’t have 13 segments, it is ineligible to race and should be returned to nature to live out its days free range.

The race is as simple as it is wacky. A starting signal will go off and handlers can release their worms to climb up a string no thicker than some forms of modern beachwear. Once released, the worm, string or board can’t be touched by the handlers. What is allowed is encouragement in the form of talking to, yelling at, whistling at or even blowing on your worms through a drinking straw. Even music is allowed, but, though legal, dousing your worm in liquid substances prior to racing has been observed to negatively affect performance.

In the words of fictional race car driver Ricky Bobby, “If you’re not first, you’re last.” The winning Woolly Worm will be determined by seven-foot, two-inch Tommy Burleson, who is in his third decade of officiat-

FILE PHOTO Kids of all ages enjoy the friendly competition of the annual Woolly Worm Festival.

ing these races. Burleson’s word is final, as he’s likely the only person tall enough to see the finish of the races at the top of the race board.

The strings that the

wonderful Woolly Worms race up are designed to have the texture and tension of a strand of milkweed.

Legends has it that the late festival founder Jim Morton

found inspiration from watching two woolly worms race up a stalk of milkweed in the wild and wondered which would reach the top the quickest.

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By the Numbers

BY JAMES BRANCH james.branch@averyjournal.com

I

f for some reason you are not excited for this year’s Woolly Worm Festival, here are some numbers and facts for you to catch up on the hype train the rest of us are on.

1: The first-place winner will be taking home the grand prize of $1,000 which can buy you either a lot of woolly worms or one really nice suit for your woolly worm to wear around the town.

2: To save you a trip to your attic, pay attention to the worms.

If they have two black bands on them, go get your winter coats, if not, maybe grab your shorts and an inner tube.

3: The amount of rope in feet the woolly worm must climb in order to taste that sweet victory.

4: Four-dollar entrance fee for kids 6 to 12.

5: If you are under the age of five, you get in for free... and none of that “kid at heart” nonsense.

6: Price for adults to enter the 2017 festival.

21: The first date of the October weekend of the Woolly Worm Festival.

25: The number of woolly worms racing in each heat, starting at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.

40: For this year’s 40th anniversary of the Woolly Worm Festival.

67: The perfect high temperature for Saturday’s races.

160: The amount of vendors the 2016 festival attracted.

1,000: The amount in cold hard cash paid to Saturday’s winner.

16,000: The approximate number of visitors at the 2016 festival.

(828) 898-5605: The phone number to call for more information regarding the Woolly Worm Festival.

FILE PHOTO Competitors prepare to place their worms on the string to begin a race at the annual Woolly Worm Festival.

A Day in the Life of a Woolly Worm

BY JAMES BRANCH james.branch@averyjournal.com

W

hen one might first hear about the annual Woolly Worm festival, they may think it is silly, fun and a light-hearted event.

On the outside it may be. Enjoying some local food, handmade arts and crafts and, of course, watching woolly worms compete in a race that could only be conceived by a local visionary.

However, for the worms and their trainers, it is a much different story.

Behind the scenes, there are managers that would make handlers of professional wrestlers quake in their boots, while ambushes by worms and trainers alike on other unsuspecting competitors take out the competition one by one.

Only the strong make it to the race.

In the locker rooms where worms get ready, trash talk rings out and falls on hardened fur and bristles back with more taunts and jeers.

“You think you could ever predict the weather with stripes like that?” a spunky, confident worms says to a fellow competitor.

“Well at least I didn’t take a fall halfway up the rope last year,” the timid under-

worm responds. Maybe this year will be the year for the worm from the other side of the tracks to take home the prize.

Only time will tell.

Both on and off the festival stage, trainers and managers try to get the upper hand for their worms while seeking to gain a psychological or physical advantage on the other racers.

Some may even try to gain an edge through performance-enhancing means, but the festival judges are swift to identify and eliminate the guilty offenders.

Perhaps leaving behind the hectic open rooms, last year’s winning worms eat breakfast together, talking strategies and what they would do should they attempt an unthinkable: a repeat victory.

A good woolly worm’s breakfast consists of cabbage and kale, cooked by an award-winning worm food specialist.

All kidding aside, each worm puts aside all their differences and rivalries, shake bristles with one another as a sign of respect, not only for themselves, but out of respect for the game and competition itself, and focus on the task at hand, shimmying up a three-foot string to the top.

For this is the Woolly Worm Festival. A day of competition and coming together for a great cause.

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L Saliva on Army 12x12

M LMC Nursing 12x12

E Susan Koman 12x12

F Blue Ridge Discovery 12x12

H HC Breast 12x12

18 Beech Mtn Bee-Keeping 12x12

19 Bear Den Carvings 12x12

6 Dogwood Petwear 12x12 7 Darlene’s Sewing Garden 12x12 8 Green Thumb 12x12

12x40

16 Free Reign 12x12

Worm Doctor

Elk

42 Coffey Birdhouse 12x12

55 Avery Journal 12x12

68 Mallory Candles 12x12

132 Dichroic Glass 12x12

97 Designs by Lynell Jewelry 12x12

110 Bear Bows 12x12

112 Mike Merrit Birdhouses 12x12

Highway 184

31

101 & 102 Americamanta Na ve Cra s 12X24

114 3 Came Home Aranoff Books 12x12

128 & 129 Face pain ng

by Donnie 12X24

136 & 137 Robin Goodwin Seasonal Cra s 12x24

32 Spirit Stone 12x12

49 Angelia Fineart 12x12

62 Flo Totes 12x12

75 Redbird Photo 12x12

Worms PTO

77 Forever Flowers Metal 12x12

92 Sonrise Po ery 12x12

105 Dan Goad Fine Art 12x12

118 Supple Bu a 12x12

52 Secret Springs 12x12

65 1 Pluse Ou i ers 12x12

157 3B Concessions 12X20

80 Element Tree Essen als 12x12

93 Blue Ridge Belts 12x12

106 Robert’s Wood toys 12x12

119 DB Glass 12x12

37 & 38 Appalachian Rus c Furniture 12X24

54 Rebeca Hia Photo 12x12

67 Mountain Hollow Cra s 12x12

36 Stone Dreamer 12x12

53 Bath Fi er 12x12

66 Sam’s Spoons 12x12

78 & 79 Beelite Candles 12X24

34 & 35 Smith Enterprise Bird houses 12x24

51 Da l Sensa on 12x12

64 Paw Paw Po ery 12x12

33 Old Sarges Jerky 12x12

50 Seasons To Sew 12x12

63 Jolin Jewels 12x12

76 Ocean Palms Jewels 12x12

91 Lyons Woodworking 12x12

103 & 104 Oak & Rope Design 12X24

90 Spiral Dyes 12x12

156 ACHS Key Club Italian Ice 12X12

Entertainment

155 Boy Scouts 12X20

115, 116 & 117 Turtle Man Jewelry 12X36

154 Captain Jim Seafood 12X20

88 & 89 Silver & Stones Jewelry 12X24

Jewelry

By Sharla 12x12

48 Curlinator Designs 12x12

61 West End Wreaths 12x12

74 Harry’s Hot Sauce 12x12

30 Unique & Crea ve Gi s 12x12

47 Sallie W. Photo 12x12

60 Stoned Beau ful Jewelry 12x12

29 Gu er Dome 12x12

46 Bu erfly Effects 12x12

12x12

59 Morgan's

Art Crea ons

73 The Minky Bou que 12x12

87 Stonegate Candle Crea ons 12x12

100 Pops Krea ve Woodtunring 12x12

113 Bounty Hunter Hats 12x12

126 & 127 Colonial Wagon Wheel 12X24

135 Howard Distributers 12x12

4 Blossom & Gauge 12x12

2 Carolina West Wireless 12x12

2B Ashley Bags 12x12 134 Heather Applegate Photography 12x12

3 Tar Heel Basements 12x12

153 Asia Fusion 12X20

1 Mountain Pride Cra s 12x12

152 Rock Star Grill 12X20

1B Girlbage Metal 12x12

85 & 86 Holston Mountain Hats 12X24 72 Silly Willy Caricatures 12x12

ELK

45 Pain ng Deligh uls 12x12

ELK

44 Cazui Pugante Jewelry 12x12

151

12X20

Sounthland

98 & 99 Jason Penland Photography 12x24

111 Forhim Press Books 12x12

125 The Goose 12x12

133 Jeri’s Jewels 12x12

150 Steak Boys 12X40

58 57 Moonlow My Mountain Flower Fine Wood 12x12 12x12

70 & 71 7th Moon 12X24

83 & 84 McNeill’s Po ery 12X24

96 Log Cabins Naturals 12x12

109 Tommy’s Old F. Jerky 12x12

ELK

43 Highland Rugs 12x12

56 Fake A Face 12x12

12x12

69

Jewelry Desgins by Heidi Cline

81 & 82 Avery Farms & Trinity Trees 12X24

95 Fire Fly Cove Needlework 12x12

94 Stanley’s Produce 12x12

Mini Golf

108 Treasures Jewelry 12x12

Sound Radio

12x24

Adoughables Ornaments

27 & 28

26 The Nut House 12x12

12x36

25 Dick Crowder Artwork Wood

131 Sister's Act Two Needle work 12x12

149 Paris Fes val 12X16

122, 123 & 124 In the Po er’s Hand 12X36

130 High Ridge Woodworking 12x12

107.

Woolly Worm Stuff 12x12

12X24

Apples

Bill Elder

120 & 121

148 Souvenir Shirts 12X20

Port-AJohns

Bridge from BE Town Park

166

OPEN SPACE

Aun e Ruth’s Doughnuts 12x32

167– Saturday

Grill 12x36

Interna onal

165 Carolina BBQ 12x20

164 Roops Imbiss 12x16

163 Brick Oven Pizza 12x12

162 Homestead Creamery 12x20

161 That’s A Wrap 12x16

160 Rainbow Rosters 12x16

159 Alf’s Ke le Corn & Co on Candy 12x20

158 V & J’s Funnel Cake 12X16

Alys Kars Car ng 12x16

167– Sunday

Tickets

INFLATABLES TRAMPOLINE

Worm Regis

146D Marie Lynn Designs 12x12

146C Ray’s Weather 12x12

15 Whitson Cra s 12x12

12x24

146A Po ng for Fun 12x12 146B Worley’s Best 12x12

13 & 14 Stanley’s Produce

12x24

Harry’s Wood Work

145 & 146

12 Blue Ridge Light 12x12

11 Pecan Yummies 12x12

144 Appalachian Shed 12x12

23, 24 &

22 Persinger Sewing 12x12

10 Jacob & Mabry’s Gourmet 12x12

143 Davis Dyes 12x12

12x24

21 Firefly Glass 12x12

20 Big Bang Books 12x12

17 Santa’s Bag 12x12

5 Palm Tree Po ery 12x12

9 Simple Mom Photo 12x12

141 & 142 Historic Trade Sock

140 Kimberly Allynne Designs 12x12

12x24

138 & 139 Backyard Furniture

Entrance

40th Annual Woolly Worm Fes val 185 Azalea Circle Banner Elk Historic Elementary School

WOOLLY WORM GAZETTE

Tickets

May Wildlife 12x12

O

Foscoe Church 12x12

N

K Town of BE 12x12

D Avery Democra c 12x12

G Marcy’s Law 12x12

J Beech Mt TDA & Beech Mt Ski 12x12

I Avery Chamber & Volunteers 12x20

Air Patrol

Civil

Pet Care

C Avery Humane 12x12

B Boone DAR 12x12

A Crossnore Weavers 12x12

Tickets

VENDORS

10 - Mountain Times Publications Thursday, October 12, 2017

CE RA RM GE O W STA

WOOLLY WORM GAZETTE

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Mountain Times Publications -

11

40th Annual Wooly Worm Vendors List Booth #

Craft Vendors

65 114 27 & 28 101 & 102 49 37 & 38 2B 81 & 82 55 138 & 139 53 110 19 18 78 & 79 20 120 & 121 91 4 93 12 113 46 2 44 126 & 127 48 105 7 51 143 119 97 132 23 24 & 25 6 42 80 128 & 129 56 95 21 62 77 111 16 1B 8 29 74 145 & 146 134 130 43 141 & 142

1Pulse Outfitters 3 Came Home Adoughables Americamanta Angelia Young Fine Art Appalachian Rustic Furniture Ashley Bags Avery Farms Avery Journal Backyard Log Furniture Bath Fitter Bearabows Bear’s Den Inc. Beech Mountain Beekeeping Beelite Candles Big Bang Books Bill Elder Apples Bill Lyons Woodworking Blossom & Gauge Blue Ridge Belts Blue Ridge Light Photography Bounty Hunter Hats Butterfly Effect Carolina Wireless Cazou Pugante Colonial Wagon and Wheel Curlination Designs Dan Goad Fine Art Darlene’s Sewing Garden, LLC Datil Sensation Davis Dyes DB’s Glass Shack Designs by Lynell Dichroic Glass Art Dick Crowder Artworks Dogwood Petwear Douglas Coffey Birdhouses Element Tree Essentials Face Painting by Donnie Fake-A-Face Painting Fire Fly Cove Creations Firefly Recycled Glass Flo Totes Forever Flowers Forhim Press Free Reign Farm Girlbage Green Thumb Pottery Gutter Dome Harry’s Hot Sauce Harry’s Woodworking Heather Applegate Photography High Ridge Woodworking of Deep Gap Highland Braided Rugs Historic Trade/Sock Zen

85 & 86 135 122 123 & 124 10 98 & 99 133 31 69 63 140 22 96 68 146 D 83 & 84 112 57 59 1 67 58 103 & 104 76 33 45 5 64 11 100 146A 146C 54 75 106 136 & 137 47 66 17 50 52 70 & 71 72 88 & 89 9 131 34 & 35 92 90 32 13 14 & 94 60 36 87 118 3 125 73

Holston Mountain Hat Project Howard Distribution/ RB of hickory In the Potter’s Hand Jacob & Mabry’s Gourmet Cotton Candy Jason Penland Photography Jeri’s Jewels Jewelry by Sharla Jewelry Designs by Heidi Cline Jolin Jewels Kimberly Allynne Designs Linda Persinger Log Cabin Naturals Mallory Candle Company Marie-Lynn Designs McNeill’s Pottery Mike Merritt Moonglow Fine Woodcrafts Morgan’s Art Creations Mountain Pride Crafts Mtn. Hollow Crafts My Mountain Flower Oak and Rope .com Ocean Palms Jewelry Old Sarges Jerky Painting Delightfuls Palm Tree Pottery Paw Paw Pottery Pecan Yummies Pops Kreative Stache Potting for Fun Ray’s weather Rebecca Hiatt Photography Redbird Photo Gallery Roberts Wood Toys Robin Goodwin Crafts Sallie J Woodring Photography Sam’s Spoons Santa’s Bag Seasons to Sew Secret Springs Studio Seventh Moon Gifts Silly Willy Caricatures Silver & Stones Jewelry Simple Moments Photography Sisters Act Two Smith Enterprise Sonrise Pottery Spiral Dyes Sprit Stone Stanley’s Produce Stoned Beautiful Jewelry Stonedreamer Stonegate “Candle Creations” Supple Butta Tar Heel Basement Systems The Goose - Berry Patch The Minky Boutique

26 109 108 115 116 & 117 30 61 15 107 146B

The Nut House Tommy’s Old Fashion Jerky Treasures Jewelry Turtle Old Man Jewelry Unique and Creative Gifts West End Wreaths Whitson Crafts Woolly Worms & Stuff Worley’s Best

Booth #

Nonprofits

C D J

N H E M M G L K O

Avery Co. Human Soc. Avery County Democratic Party Beech Mountain Ski/Snowboard Education Foundation Beech Mountain TDA Blue Ridge Discovery Center Crossnore Weavers & Gallery Daniel Boone Chamber (DAR) Daughters of Am. Rev. Foscoe Christian Church High Country Breast Cancer Foundation Inc Komen Northwest NC Lee- McRae College Lees-McRae Student Nurses Association Marsy’s Law for NC The Salvation Army Town of Banner Elk Wildlife Rehab Lees-McRae

Booth #

Food Vendors

157 159 153 167 156 155 163 154 165 162 166 149 160 152 164 151 148 150 161 158

3bConsession/ Betty’s Burrito Barn Alf’s Kettle Korn & Cotton Candy Asia Fusion Elite Auntie Ruth’s Doughnuts Avery High Key Club Boy Scouts Troop 807 & Girl Scouts Brick Oven Pizzeria Captain Jim’s Seafood Carolina BBQ Inc Homestead Creamery, Inc. International Grill Company, LLC Paris Festival Rainbow Roasters Rock Star Grille Roops Imbiss Southland Concessions Souvenir Shirts Steak Boys Inc. That’s A Wrap V & J’s Funnel Cake

J F A B

Amusement Banner Elk Mini Golf Bouncin Kids Flexflying, Inc.

WOOLLY WORM GAZETTE

12 - Mountain Times Publications

‘Hans Solo’ and ‘Pumpkin’ take top honors at 2016 festival

BY THOMAS SHERRILL AND MATT DEBNAM thomas.sherrill@averyjournal.commatt. matt.debnam@averyjournal.com

New booklet celebrates Woolly Worm heritage

BY MATT DEBNAM matt.debnam@averyjournal.com

W

hen Han Solo warned Luke Skywalker to not get cocky, it’s doubtful he had Woolly Worm racing in mind, especially if Solo knew about the cash prize at stake.

After the smoke cleared and the din of war subsided, two worms were measured and found to be worthy of the title “champion” in 2016. After three rounds of elimination, with dozens of heats in between, two worms proved themselves faster than all others.

Standing as the grand champion of the Saturday final race on Oct. 15, 2016, “Hans Solo” moved at light speed up the string to defeat his opponents, earning his trainers, toddlers Reyn and Hickson Beekman of Boone, a cool $1,000 in cash, which was graciously accept-

Thursday, October 12, 2017

PHOTO BY MATT DEBNAM Brothers Reyn and Hickson Beekman, sons of Andy and Kay Beekman of Boone, won $1,000 during the main event at the Woolly Worm Festival on Oct. 15, 2016. The brothers’ worm, dubbed “Hans Solo,” smoked the competition to be named the weekend’s champion worm and to forecast this winter’s weather.

ed by their parents, Andy and Kathy Beekman, who were accompanied by the boys’ grandmother, Kathy Ligon.

Sunday’s competition proved to be just as interesting, with another local family taking home $500 after their worm, “Pumpkin,” won the day. This

worm, like “Hans Solo” before it, was also trained by a pair of youngsters.

Eden and Grady Gates, along with their mother, Holly Gates of Valle Crucis, took home the grand prize Sunday, Oct. 16, thanks to their black and brown little buddy.

With 40 years in the rearview mirror, there’s a lot to reflect upon when it comes to the Woolly Worm Festival.

From four decades of winners and their subsequent weather predictions, to the origins and evolution of the festival itself, the story of the Woolly Worm Festival is far more complex than it would seem to a causal observer visiting Banner Elk in mid-October.

To better tell that fascinating story, a group of creative ladies from the Woolly Worm Committee has been working for months to put together something special to commemorate the festival’s quadragennial anniversary.

Shining a spotlight on the festival’s history, the team of four, made up of Babette McAuliffe, Nancy Morrison, Mae Weed and Tamara Seymour, have compiled a 40-page commemorative booklet

GRAPHIC BY TAMARA SEYMOUR This new 40-page booklet celebrates the history of the Woolly Worm Festival.

to sell during the event.

“It’s the history of the event, the past winners and their predictions, a tribute to Jim Morton and Roy Krege, kids pages and a timeline of what happened when,” Morrison said.

While she, McAuliffe and Weed produced most of the writing for the book, Seymour, a graphic artist by trade, handled the book’s graphic design and pagination.

Copies of the booklet will be available during the festival for $5 each.