Woolly Worm Gazette 2019

Woolly Worm

GAZETTE 2019

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO THE 42ND ANNUAL WOOLLY WORM FESTIVAL

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION TO

• Vendors List and Map

Inside

• Festival Gives Back • By the Numbers • Training a Champion Woolly Worm

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WOOLLY WORM GAZETTE • MOUNTAIN TIMES PUBLICATIONS • OCTOBER 9-10, 2019

Festival boasts rich history, weekend of family fun

BY JAMIE SHELL editor@averyjournal.com

T

he time has arrived for another Woolly Worm Festival, recognized as “The Official Woolly Worm Festival of North Carolina.” This year’s festival, in its 42nd year, promises to be one of the greatest festivals to date, with wriggling worms working their way up a string to bring glory (and some folding money) to its owner, as well as the time-honored tradition of the worm predicting the upcoming winter weather in the High Country.

The festival, which has been going strong in the High Country since 1978, has transcended its local, small town roots and firmly planted itself, much like worms on a string, upon the national stage.

Festival co-founder Jim Morton, who spent his first autumn in the area in 1973, was enamored by the local legend of the woolly worm as a weather forecaster.

According to folklore, the 13 segments of a woolly worm correspond with the 13 weeks of winter. Black segments are said to indicate severe weather, while orange or brown segments are indicative of milder weeks.

Morton put the worm to work in Banner Elk when he, along with a group of local merchants, was tasked to find an annual event to bring to the area.

While Morton had faith in the little worm’s accuracy, not all worms tell the same story.

Some of the High Country’s woolliest denizens warned of severe winter weather with their solid black coats. Other, perhaps more optimistic worms in the same area would have more brown on their backs, indicating that the winter would be mild.

While all the worms were woolly, not all the the worms could be right, so Morton set

PHOTO BY CARL BLANKENSHIP Adam Binder doles out the hard-earned top prize of $1,000 to Carolyn Thompson for her winning worm, “Montgomery County’s Best.”

out to find only the best wormy weathermen by means of a race, of course.

It stands to reason, at least to all of those learned in worm lore, that the fastest, most fit woollies will naturally be the most able forecasters of the weather.

So it has been ever since. Woolly worms and their handlers have flocked to Banner Elk every year from all over the world for

the chance to win the right to warn the High Country about its upcoming season.

Banner Elk’s small population swells during the festival. More than 20,000 people have attended the past few events. People flock from all over the country, and not just to gratify the olympian ambitions of their woolly worms. The Banner Elk festival has something to offer to the whole family.

In recent years, more than 150 art and craft vendors have been present at the event.

Prospective vendors are juried by the Woolly Worm Festival Committee so that only the best handmade wares are allowed to be sold.

No buy and resell vendors are allowed at the festival.

The festival, while now a mega-modern woolly worm event to rival the very woolliest the world has to offer, had humble beginnings. The first Woolly Worm Festival took place at Banner Elk Elementary School on a cold and windy day. The festival organizers discovered through their groundbreaking worm research that woolly worms, like people, aren’t usually too interested in recreational climbing when it is too cold.

Unfortunately, it is currently impossible to impress the importance of the race upon the woolly worms who, while they are endowed with certain meteorological abilities, resolutely don’t speak English.

To combat the cold, which typically hasn’t totally taken hold over the High Country by mid-October, handlers have now learned that worms can be motivated by hot air blown through a straw, as well as vocal encouragement.

Woolly worms, many festival attendees are surprised to learn, are not actually worms at all, but are the caterpillar larvae of the Isabella Tiger Moth. The worms, like many Hollywood actors gone wrong, prefer to be known for their adolescent work rather

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than any perceived grown-up shortcomings (although waking up and finding that you’ve grown wings must be nice).

The worms that festivalgoers race in the fall aren’t just adept at predicting the winter, they are also well equipped to survive it.

Woolly Worms outlast the winter in hibernation. Instead of burrowing deep underground like many animals, they choose to spend the winter closer to the surface, under rocks, fallen foliage or logs. The worms produce a chemical called cryoprotectant that allows their bodies to totally freeze solid with no adverse effects. Some worms are known to survive as many as 14 winters using this method.

When it decides it is ready and the spring thaw comes, the worm that stuck itself in the freezer emerges as a moth and spends its newly winged life fluttering around lamps and streetlights remembering the glory days when it was a weather-forecasting festival star.

Attempts to found moth festivals have been met with less success than the groundbased competition.

Entering its 42nd year, the Banner Elk Woolly Worm Festival will be held in downtown Banner Elk Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 and 20. Races will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Saturday’s grand prize winner will go home with $1,000, while Sunday’s races, which are typically smaller, will award a grand prize of $500.

Worms can be purchased at the festival for $5, but attendees are also welcome to bring their own worm. Also, no pets are allowed on the festival grounds during the weekend.

For more information, call the Avery County Chamber of Commerce at (828) 8985605 or click to www.woollyworm.com.

Find out about these and more in your local paper!

Participate in Democracy.

Read your Public Notices.

WOOLLY WORM GAZETTE • MOUNTAIN TIMES PUBLICATIONS • OCTOBER 9-10, 2019

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Looking Back: ‘Montgomery County’s Best’ claims 2018 title

BY CARL BLANKENSHIP carl.blankenship@averyjournal.com

Last year’s grand prize winner hailed from Montgomery County. The winning specimen, the one worm to rule them all, came to the stage at the festival grounds courtesy of worm coach Carolyn Thompson.

The champion caterpillar, crowned on Oct. 20, had to undergo a rigorous medical examination to rule out use of any WEDs (worm enhancing drugs), before local celebrity Tommy Burleson laid hands on the worm to read its 13 colored rings to predict the coming winter.

Last year’s color prediction was as follows: The oďŹƒcial color interpretation of the worms is designated as follows: Black: below average, snow. Dark Brown: below average. Light Brown: above-average. Flick: black and brown, below average, frost or light snow.

The oďŹƒcial color reading from Montgomery County’s Best prognosticates were black, black, black, flick, dark brown, dark brown, dark brown, dark brown,

dark brown, dark brown, flick, flick, flick.

That forecast indicated three weeks of below-average temperatures with snow, followed by a week with below-average temperatures with frost or light snow, six weeks of below-average temperatures and ending the season with three weeks of below-average temperatures with frost or light snow.

The predicted average temperature was 27 degrees. “Montgomery County’s Best� scored Thompson the $1,000 after 48 rounds of races, doled out in cash by announcer Adam Binder.

Unfortunately, the Sunday festivities for the next day had to be cancelled after a windstorm destroyed a number of tents on the festival grounds, but the festival managed to crown a champion before the weather spoiled the fun.

The closure, and the weather, were unprecedented for the long-running festival.

The festival is the largest annual fundraiser for both the Avery County Chamber of Commerce and Banner Elk Club of Kiwanis.

PHOTO BY CARL BLANKENSHIP Tommy Burleson taking a second glance at Carolyn Thompson’s champion worm, ‘Montgomery County’s Best,’ while Festival announcer Adam Binder and Festival Committee Chair Kathy Boone look on in 2018.

This year expect more of the same festivities: Crafts, food and plenty of speedy worms to go around.

The vendors selling their crafts come from far and wide to take part in the festival, and are a popular backdrop for the heated worm contests going on at the main stage.

PHOTO BY CARL BLANKENSHIP The hands of local celebrity Tommy Burleson as he carefully inspects the coloration of the winning worm to determine this year’s winter forecast.

Meet the 2019 Woolly Worm Festival Committee

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 consists of, top row (l to r): Hallie Tucker, Mae Weed and Mary Jo Brubaker; middle row (l to r): Babette McAuliffe, Melynda Pepple and Kate Gavenus; and bottom row (l to r): Talia Freeman, Brenda Lyerly, and Jim Fitzpatrick.

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Crossnore Weavers

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First Aid

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146D Becky Smith Jewelry 12x12

146C Ray’s Weather 12x12

146B Worley’s Best 12x12

146A Po ng for Fun 12x12

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Uncle Zip’s Jerky

146

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Harry’s Wood Working

144 LMC May Wildlife 12x12

143 Nomadic Graphics 12x12

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Colonial Braided Rug

141 & 142

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Boon Hill Gallery

140

16 Free Reign 12x12

15 Whitson Cra s 12x12

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Stanley’s Produce

13 & 14

12 Bizzy Bees Cra s 12x12

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Olive Oil & Balsamic

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95 Fire Fly Cove Needlework 12x12

108 Treasures Jewelry 12x12

Mini Golf

Worm Doctor

58 My Mtn. Flower 12x12

Highway 184

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101 & 102 Americamanta Na ve Cra s 12X24

114 3 Came Home Aronoff 12x12

128 & 129 Face pain ng

by Donnie 12X24

136 & 137 Robin Goodwin Seasonal Cra s 12x24

153 Asia Fusion 12X20

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Gourmet Apples & More

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Copper Connec on

62 Flo Totes 12x12

75 Redbird Photo 12x12

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Old Sarges’s Jerky

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Calvin Bennet Photo 12x12

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Mark & Amy Woodturning

76 Granny’s Glass Work 12x12

156

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52 Robin Lee Essen als 12x12

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Michelle B. Ar stry

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justGenna Designs

53 Bath Fi er 12x12

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Bearabows

Holston Mtn. Hat Project

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92 Black Pug Po ery

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105 Sew Sweet Bou que

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91 Bill Lyons Woodworking 12x12

104 Stone Age Art 12X12

118 2nd Time Around 12x12

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37 & 38 Mountain-Ar sans.com

54 R&J Crea ons 12x12

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Mountain Hollow Cra s

80 Jolin Jewels 12x12

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93

Carolina Lavender Farms

106 Whimsy’s Toys 12x12

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DBs Glass Shack

119

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Entertainment

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34 & 35 Smith Enterprise Birdhouses

51 Da l Sensa on 12x12

64 Rosehip Lane 12x12

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Oceans Palms Jewelry

90 Spiral Dyes 12x12

103 Michael Kaal Photo 12X12

155

Civil Air Patrol

Anywherez Famous Brick Oven Pizza Fine

115, 116 & 117 Turtle Man Jewelry 12X36

154 Homestead Creamery 12x16

88 & 89 Silver & Stones Jewelry 12X24

31 Kika’s Crea ons

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Trip & Peggy’s Cajun Seasons

61 West End Wreaths 12x12

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Mountain Momma

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87 Stonegate Candle

30 Bee Kind Farms 12x12

47 Broken to Beau ful Glass Art 12x12

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Henry Farms Broken China

73 Two 14 Designs 12x12

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Tellico Honey Products

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100

Jewelry by Beverly Lynn

112 & 113 Bounty Hunter Hats 12x24 99 Artwork by Morgan 12x12

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Carolina West Wireless

135

152 Rascal Jacks Deli 12X24

126 & 127 Colonial Wagon Wheel 12X24

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Emily Star Designs

134

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151

Southland

The Trailing Collec ve

46 Downing Designs 12x12

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Horse Creek Leather

72 Silly Willy 12x12

ELK

45 The Tarpestry Co. 12x12

ELK

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T.H.E. Pearl Pagoda

57 Dafni Greek 12x12

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D&M Crea ve Designs

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Blakely Woodcra

98 Paradise Home Improvement 12 x12

111 Barrel Aged Crea ons 12x12

125 Bloomin’ Plates 12x12

133 Jeri’s Jewels 12x12

150 Steak Boys 12X32

97 Our Mom’s Best 12x12

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Blowing Rock Crea ons

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132 Constanza’s 12x12

83 & 84 McNeill’s Po ery 12X24

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109 Memories

by Sherry 12x12

Stella Creek

ELK

43 Brown Creek Herbs 12x12

42 Coffey Bird Houses 12x12

Elk

56 Fake A Face 12x12

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Jewelry Desgins by Heidi Cline

55 Avery Journal 12x12

68 Mallory Candles 12x12

131 Menya’s 12x12

149 Paris Fes val 12X16

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

130 High Ridge Woodworking 12x12

148 BE Shirt Company 12X20

81 & 82 Avery Farms & Trinity Trees 12X24

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Tru Honey Teas

107.

Woolly Worm Stuff 12x12

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Apples

Bill Elder

120 & 121

Sound Radio

27 & 28 Adoughables Ornaments 12x24

26 The Nut House 12x12

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Wood

Artwork

Crowder

Dick

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22 Goosey Meadow 12x12

10 Jacob & Mabry’s Gourmet 12x12

Banner Elk

21 Firefly Glass 12x12

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20 Linda Persinger Sewing

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Blue Ridge Praline

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Cheryl Foiles Designs

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139 Engel & Volker 12x12

Robert Mar n Metal

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5 Palm Tree Po ery 12x12

138 Element Tree Essen als 12x12

Entrance

42nd Annual Woolly Worm Fes val October 19-20, 2019 185 Azalea Circle Banner Elk Historic Elementary School Port-AJohns

Bridge from BE Town Park

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Aun e Ruth’s Doughnuts 12x32

Saturday Only

166 & 167

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Interna onal Grill 12x36

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Carolina BBQ

163 Roops Imbiss 12x16

162 Boy Scouts Troop 807 12x20

161 That’s A Wrap 12x16

160 B.E. Souped 12x14

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

158 APP. High Country Funnel Cakes 12X20

Tickets Three

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WOOLLY WORM GAZETTE • MOUNTAIN TIMES PUBLICATIONS • OCTOBER 9-10, 2019

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Woolly Worm Festival Vendor List BOOTH # CRAFT VENDORS 118 2nd Time Around — Wood Working 114 3 Came Home 27, 28 Adoughables — Ornaments 101 & 102 Americamanta — Native American art O Appalachian Shed — Wood Working 99 Artwork by Morgan 166, 167 Auntie Ruth’s Doughnuts (Saturday only) I Avery County Chamber of Commerce D Avery Democratic 81, 82 Avery Farms — Trees, ciders and sauces 11 Banner Elk Olive Oil and Balsamics P Banner Elk Police Department F Banner Elk Seventh Day Adventist 111 Barrel Aged Creations — Syrups and sauces 53 Bath Fitter 66 Bearabows — Hair bows 146D Becky Smith Jewelry 30 Bee Kind Family Farm — Honey foods and crafts 12 Bizzy Bees Craft Shack — Wood Utensils 92 Black Pug Pottery — Pet care 85 Blakely Woodcraft 125 Bloomin’ Plates — Garden decor 110 Blowing Rock Creations — Candles 19 Blue Ridge Praline Company 140 Boon Hill Gallery — Wood Carvings 112, 113 Bounty Hunter Hats 47 Broken to Beautiful — Glass Art 43 Brown Creek Herbs 50 Calvin Bennett Photography 93 Carolina Lavender Farm 135 Carolina West Wireless N Celebrate Recovery 8 Cheryl Foiles Designs — Clocks, nightlights, etc.

42 Coffey Bird Houses 141, 142 Colonial Braided Rug Co. 126, 127 Colonial Wagon and Wheel Two — Metal Art 132 Constanza Wears — Crocheted clothing 49 Copper Connection — Jewelry H Crossnore Weavers 119 D&B’s Glass Shack 70, 71 D&M Creative Designs — Clothing 57 Dafni Greek Gourmet — Olive Oils and Herbs

7 Darlene’s Sewing Garden 51 Datil Sensation — Nuts and sauces 23, 24, 25 Dick Crowder Artworks — Woodworking 6 Dogwood Petwear 46 Downing Designs — Clay earrings 120, 121 Elder Apples 138 Element Tree Essentials — Essential oils 134 Emily’s Hidden Star Design — Handmade crafts 139 Engel & Volkers Banner Elk 128, 129 Face Painting by Donnie 56 Fake-a-Face Face Painting 95 Fire Fly Cove Creations 21 Fire Fly Glass A First Aid 62 Flo Totes 16 Free Reign Farms — Body Care 22 Goosey Meadow & Co. — Wall hangings 32 Gourmet Apples & More J Grandfather Home for Children 76 Granny’s Glass Works 145 Harry’s Woodworking 60 Henry Farms Broken China E High Country Breast Cancer Foundation 130 High Ridge Woodworking 78, 79 Holston Mountain Hat Project 59 Horse Creek Leatherworks 122, 123, 124 In The Potter’s Hand 10 Jacob & Mabrey’s Gourmet Cotton Candy 133 Jeri’s Jewels 100 Jewelry by Beverly Lynn 69 Jewelry Designs by Heidi Cline 80 Jolin Jewels 36 justGenna Designs — Clothing 9 Kairos Artistry LLC — Photography 31 Kika’s Creation — Textiles M Lees-McRae Student Nursing Association 20 Linda Persinger — Quilts C Lutherock 91 Lyons Wood Carving & Wood Crafts 68 Mallory Candle Company 63 Mark and Amy Woodturning 144 May Wildlife

83, 84 McNeill’s Pottery 109 Memories by Sherry — Sewing 131 Menya’s — African art 103 Michael Kaal Photography 65 Michelle B Artistry — Paintings 67 Mountain Hollow Crafts — Wood Toys, etc.

74 Mountain Momma Organics — Food 37, 38 Mountain-Artisans.com — Jewelry 58 My Mountain Flower — Soaps 143 Nomadic Graphics — T-shirts 77 Ocean Palms Jewelry 33 Old Sarge’s Jewelry 97 Our Mom’s Best — Salsa and sauces 5 Palm Tree Pottery 98 Paradise Home Improvement 146A Potting For Fun — Pottery 54 R and J Creations — Handmade Goods 146C Ray’s Weather 75 Redbird Photo Gallery K Roan Mountain Honey 18 Robert Martin Metal 136, 137 Robin Goodwin Crafts — Holiday Crafts 52 Robin Lee Essentials — Jewelry 64 Rosehip Lane — Knitted Hats and scarves B Samaritan’s Purse 17 Santa’s Bag 105 Sew Sweet Boutique Co. 72 Silly Willy Caricatures 88, 89 Silver & Stone Jewelry 34, 35 Smith Enterprise — Bird houses 90 Spiral Dyes — Tie Dye 13, 14 Stanley’s Produce — Baked goods 96 Stella Creek (previously Log Cabin Naturals) — Body care 104 Stone Age Art Works — Sculptures 87 Stonegate Candle Creations 44 T.H.E. Pearl Pagoda — Jewelry 86 Tellico Honey Products 55 The Avery Journal 26 The Nut House — Nuts and sauces G The Original Safety Siphen 45 The Tarpestry Co — Picnic blankets 29 The Trailing Collective — Pottery

108 Treasures Etcetera — Leather goods 48 Trip and Peggy’s Cajun Seasoning Consumer Enterprises LLC 94 True Honey Teas 115, 116, 117 Turtle Old Man Jewelry LLC 73 Two 14 Designs — No-Slip Head Bands 146 Uncle Zip’s Beef Jerky L Universal Windows Direct 61 West End Wreaths 106 Whimsy Children’s Toys 15 Whitson Crafts — Wood crafts 107 Woolly Worms & Stuff 146B Worley’s Best — Jewelry cleaner PTO — Woolly Worms For Sale BOOTH # FOOD VENDORS 148 Banner Elk Shirt Company — Official WW Shirts 149 Paris Festival — Baked cinnamon sticks, beignets, pies, etc.

150 Steak Boys — Chicken, lamb, ribbon fries, sausage, etc.

151 Southland Concessions — Gumbo, gyros, turkey legs, etc.

152 Rascal Jack’s Sandwich Shack 153 Asia Fusion Elite 154 Homestead Creamery 155 Anywherez Fine BBQ — Burgers and fries 156 Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria 158 Appalachian High Country Funnel Cake 159 Alf’s Kettle Korn 160 B.E. Souped — Chili and soups 161 That’s a Wrap — Quesadillas & wraps 162 The Boy Scouts Troop 807 — Hot dogs, etc.

163 Roop’s Imbiss — Bratwurst, cheesesteaks, kielbasa 164 Carolina Barbecue 165 International Grill — Greek salad, pitas, etc.

166, 167 Auntie Ruth’s Doughnuts (Saturday only) AMUSEMENTS Banner Elk Mini Golf Bouncin’ Kids LLC FlexFlying Inc.

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WOOLLY WORM GAZETTE • MOUNTAIN TIMES PUBLICATIONS • OCTOBER 9-10, 2019

Woolly Worm Twaining

BY GRAYSON RICE grayson.rice@averyjournal.com

A

wise man once said that “If you ain’t first, you’re last.”

Yes, that might have been Ricky Bobby from the film “Talladega Nights,” but the seriousness of Bobby’s words couldn’t be truer for approaching Woolly Worm competition.

However, at the Woolly Worm races, there are a few tried-and-true ways to prepare a worm for the competition of a lifetime. Rumor has it that even Ricky Bobby himself tried these methods but it was too serious for him to handle.

Every great woolly worm trainer knows that there are five key elements that cannot be missed when training your worm to compete.

If a trainer wants to know where to start, all they have to do is C.L.I.M.B.

PHOTO BY JIM MORTON Always behind the camera eye, one of Jim Morton’s favorite Woolly Worm shots was the classic worm-on-the-nose.

CLIMB is a simple acronym that accompanies all the money and prestige that comes with the title of a Woolly Worm champion.

The C stands for... wait for it...

“Climb.” Each Woolly Worm will have to climb three feet in rope to claim the title of champion. The most skilled of worms can climb forwards and backwards, and even left to right.

It is rumored that the most skilled Woolly Worms can climb in their sleep, so don’t be concerned if you cannot see your worm’s eyes while they are climbing.

After climbing, the next letter is L, which stands for “Love.” This is the method that can get overlooked but it is one of the most important aspects. The love that a Woolly Worm feels can make or break its race to the top.

Screaming and shouting might be popular but having a positive attitude and standing by your worm on their best and worst days is really what makes a champion.

The I stands for “Initiative.”

There is only so much a coach can do, but at the end of the day the worm has to want to win. Make sure that the worm you choose has a “will to win.” It can be hard but there are a few ways to tell: Is the worm a natural climber? Does the worm want to be faster than all the other worms? If your worm has other aspirations in life, there is no need to make the worm race in the Woolly Worm Festival.

Now, if your worm isn’t a regular worm but takes the liberty of doing things its own way, then M might be worth paying attention to. M stands for “Moves,” meaning “Hey man, your worm has some great moves!”

This could come to the worm’s advantage if it wants to boogie all the way up the rope. It might even throw the others worms off their own routine. Now, if your worm makes it halfway up the rope and

decides to strut its stuff, then it might be a good time to have the $1,000 conversation.

The final element to include when speaking of creating an award-winning Woolly Worm is something that is oftentimes overlooked. This element won’t be found anywhere else, but it lies within the worm themselves. “B” stands for “Backstory”.

If one can win the crowd over with a worm’s backstory, then the worm would have already won.

Getting to know a worm can better its chance of winning and sharing their story can be a game changer.

History’s greatest champions all have a compelling backstory that really pushes them over the edge.

So why wouldn’t the Woolly Worm champion have one?

So before the races begin, be sure to prepare the worm and make sure that they are ready to C.L.I.M.B.

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WOOLLY WORM GAZETTE • MOUNTAIN TIMES PUBLICATIONS • OCTOBER 9-10, 2019

WOOLLY WORMS TAKE CENTER STAGE (LITERALLY) AT ANNUAL FESTIVAL

BY THOMAS SHERRILL news@averyjournal.com

T

he town of Banner Elk, population just more than 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 42nd Annual Woolly Worm Festival, will take place Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 and 20, on the front lawn of the Historic Banner Elk School.

“Having a festival of this size to a one-stop-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 160 vendors, customers can enjoy a little Christmas shopping with a wide variety of items and a selection of local foods and drink.

FILE PHOTO Woolly Worms take center stage at the the Woolly Worm festival, where the furry friends begin the race to the top.

“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, and free for children five and younger.

Free parking is limited and entry into a Woolly Worm race is $5.

Bringing your own worm is encouraged, although the festival will raise about

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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 42nd 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 to put the final touches on preparations for the opening on Saturday at 9 a.m.

WOOLLY WORM GAZETTE • MOUNTAIN TIMES PUBLICATIONS • OCTOBER 9-10, 2019

Woolly Worm Festival By the Numbers

BY GRAYSON RICE grayson.rice@averyjournal.com

A

s much fall tradition as pumpkin spice, the Woolly Worm Festival returns to picturesque Banner Elk on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 and 20. This event is set to bring out the area’s smallest competitors but it doesn’t mean there isn’t going to be a big game. Here are some numbers that will be good to know before the festivities begin. $1,000 — The amount that Saturday’s winner will receive if their worm is the fastest. Alongside the cash is the great honor of predicting the winter forecast for the area.

2 — chances of winning big-money prizes. If your worm cannot come out and compete on Saturday due to prior engagements, there is no fear. The festival will hold a second day of races on Sunday, Oct. 20. The racers have the chance to win a grand prize total of $500 on Sunday.

3 — feet is the length

of the rope is which each worm has to climb. If the worm scales this massive task then it can be deemed the champion over all other Woollies. $4 — The price of entrance tickets for children between the ages of 6 and 12.

5 — If a child is under the age of 5, they are admitted into the festival free of charge. $6 — The price of entrance tickets for adults.

25 — Woolly Worms are able to compete in each heat, beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, and Sunday, Oct. 20.

42 — This year marks the 42nd anniversary of the Woolly Worm Festival.

1 — Number of Woolly Worms that will be crowned the grand champion and master weather prognosticator.

(828) 896-5605 — The phone number to call for information regarding the festivities of the Woolly Worm Festival, or click to www.woollyworm.com to learn more.

9

WINTER MAY COME AND GO, BUT PHILANTHROPY IS FOREVER

BY CARL BLANKENSHIP carl.blankenship@averyjournal.com

T

he race for the prize doesn’t just score some cash for the winning worm coaches.

The Woolly Worm Festival is fun and brings families to the area to enjoy a piece of local folklore and an unusual, albeit heated, series of worm races, but more the event is a major fundraiser for two groups in the county.

The Banner Elk Woolly Worm Festival is the largest fundraiser for the Banner Elk Kiwanis Club and the Avery County Chamber of Commerce.

All of the funds raised, after expenses and startup funds for next year, support projects to help community families and children.

Proceeds are divided equally between both organizations. While Kiwanis distributes its portion by awarding grants for good causes, the Chamber uses its funds to promote and support local businesses that benefit the entire county.

Kiwanis’ 2018 grants were generated primarily by the Woolly Worm Festival and July 4 Duck Races, and the club distributed $60,000 to support local charitable eorts and children.

Other grants have been given to support a number of other organizations.

PHOTO SUBMITTED All of the funds raised by Kiwanis Kiwanian Jim Swinkola (left) presented a Kiwanis Club of Banner Elk are dispensed in the community and grant to Janet Millsaps of Reaching Avery Ministry in January. the club is funded by member dues.

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WOOLLY WORM GAZETTE • MOUNTAIN TIMES PUBLICATIONS • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9-10, 2019

PHOTO BY LOGAN PARKS The ďŹ rst heat at last year’s Woolly Worm Festival began at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday and despite a cold and drizzly morning. These two woolly worms, belonging to Michelle GrifďŹ n (left) and Stephanie Hartsell (right), were eager to stretch their legs.

Woolly Worm Wules and Wegulations

BY GRAYSON RICE grayson.rice@averyjournal.com

A

s the Woolly Worm Festival crawls toward Banner Elk, the excitement can be felt throughout the community. Yet, if you are preparing to put a furry friend in the spotlight there are a few things that should be known.

Home-owned worms are encouraged to be raced. Just note that the coach and their fuzzy friend should arrive early to the festival to undergo a worm-worthy inspection.

If a worm cannot be obtained before the

festival, there are worms at the festival that are available for purchase.

The worm is required to be of Woolly decent. Part of the inspection will be to ensure that the creator is healthy and 100-percent woolly.

Ways to check that the worm is of this category is to check that the worm has 13 segments and colors varying from brown to black, or in the rare instance — black to brown.

Once the worm has stretched for the event, racers then pay the entry fee of $5 and are met with the hardest task of the day — naming their worm. Keep in mind

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that “Woolly� might already be taken.

If a racer is bringing his or her own worm to the race, it is best to name them in advance. UnoďŹƒcially, worms that know their name beforehand tend to respond better. However, there are worms that prefer words of encouragement instead, so it is key to get to know your worm before the race.

The competition is divided into heats and the matches are limited to 25 woolly worms per heat. The number of heats are dependent on how many worms have the courage to attend. The races themselves are straightforward. The coach will place

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his or her worm on a string that is oďŹƒcially certified. Once the starting signal is sounded the coach must release their worm and can no longer oer physical aid to their racer, but the fans of the worms can hoot and holler as much as they would like.

Music and even whistling is allowed if you believe it will help the worm win.

The string that the worms race on are meant to mimic the texture and strength of a long strand of milkweed. According to local myth, it is said that the festival founder, Jim Morton, was inspired to start the Woolly Worm Festival after watching two worms race on a strand of milkweed.

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11

FILE PHOTO It won’t be long before this woolly worm prepares for the winter to emerge as an Isabella tiger moth.

A LOOK BEHIND THE WOOLLY CURTAIN

BY LOGAN PARKS news@averyjournal.com

F

or the crowd, the annual Banner Elk Woolly Worm Festival is a nice, exciting time for friends and family. For a woolly worm, it’s quite the opposite.

There’s a lot on the line for woolly worms once competition day arrives.

This is the moment they’ve been training for. Their trainer might earn a mere $1,000, but for the woolly worm, there’s no higher prestige than to become the

Woolly Worm Festival champion.

Training is an essential factor when preparing for the festival, but what’s the use of training without a proper, energy-filled diet?

By competition day, a woolly worm has spent weeks munching away on all sorts of healthy greens, giving them the nutrients they need to operate at 110 percent once it’s their time to climb.

Cabbage, spinach, grass and clover are their favorites.

With 13 segments and three sets of legs, these worms might put a dent in

your garden to keep all those legs moving at peak performance levels.

What about once it’s all said and done?

After the festival ends and the woolly worms gave it all they had, after all the tents are broken down and the food trucks head out of town, what’s next for the woolly worm?

Well, lucky for them, they won’t have to worry about climbing anything for much longer. Come wintertime, these caterpillars wrap themselves in cozy cocoons to emerge in spring as a fearsome Isabella tiger moth.

Wake Up.

With a wingspan of about two inches, the days of climbing silk rope are long gone. Now, what once took them hours to traverse only takes minutes to reach, thanks to their new set of wings.

There’s no doubt that the days of racing to the top of a rope while crowds go wild remain fresh in the minds of these once fuzzy little creatures, and rumor has it among woolly worms that the adrenaline rush from the festival is just as great as the moment when they first emerge with their new set of wings and take flight for the first time.

12

WOOLLY WORM GAZETTE • MOUNTAIN TIMES PUBLICATIONS • OCTOBER 9-10, 2019

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