Skip to content »
Skip to second navigation »


Woolly Worm Festival

Not yet published by Mona Rae, Writer

Country: United States

The Experience

It all began way back in 1997, in Lewisburg, PA, when they started the Woolly Worm Festival. Celebrated every year in the Hufnagle Park, this event attracts a crazy number of visitors. The excitement transcends the spectator’s expectations in the fine winter weather. For the first time visitor, it is a magical experience. Who would have that a worm could entertain people so much? To keep the excitement continuing, knowing what the Woolly Worm Festival, matters a lot. It is a worm race in a nut shell. Highly skilled and professional worm trainers will help the worms predict the winter season. They gently poke and nudge the worms, so that they behave in an anticipated way, readable only by these trainers.
There is a technical way of viewing the worms, however for the audience it is a humor filled event. There are several other events held along side with the main festival for the young at age and the young at heart. The kids, who come here, are dressed up as worms and sometimes you even see pets and the old in the same garb. All of them are the various versions of the caterpillar.
An annual woolly worm festival is also celebrated in Vermillion, OH and Banner Elk, NC. This festival started in 1977 and they recently celebrated the 30th anniversary in 2007. Here, race, food and some crafts are also included. The woolly worm race is held for a reason. The winning worm gets the prestigious position of predicting the winter months. Of all the seasons in the United States, winter months are the most unpredictable with unexpected blizzards and untimely snow. Several places in the USA may not have a white winter at all during Christmas. In our case, the woolly worm solves the problem.
The Woolly Worm Festival is getting creative every year. Oil City, in Pennsylvania has started the regime of introducing characters such as the Oil Valley Vick, who happens to be an expert in predicting the winter weather. If statistics were to be taken into account, it is Punxsutawney in PA that draws the most crowds for the festival. They make it even more exciting than the NASCAR or the Grand Prix.
The best place to attend this festival is the Blue Ridge Mountains, rich with fading fall colors, amongst the vibrant reds and yellows. This little town called Banner Elk exponentially increases in population with a 25000 odd every season, during this festival. It is a booming tourist reason for the town.
Imagine a racetrack on a black board. The black board has about 20 strings vertically attached. The worms are then let on these strings and allowed to walk. The worms walk at amazing speeds that astonish the spectators. People can bet on the worms just like a Derby. From $5 to $100 anything is welcome. The winner or the individual who bet upon the winning worm will take home a cash prize of $500. A worm can win you a cash prize, give you an amazing weekend of fun and also make it memorable. That is the beauty of Woolly Worm Festival.

Photos

Puzzle

When to Go

The Wolly worm festival is going to be held on 15 and 16th October 2011 from
Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 9-4, on the grounds of the Banner Elk Elementary School. NC.

Odds n' Ends

People of all ages can enjoy this festival. Do not forget to carry your camera to capture the worms race.

Places to Eat

Alpen restaurant & Bar
Bayou smokehouse

More Experiences Nearby

Get Locked into History at the Elmina Slave Castle
As the door slammed shut, a wave of claustrophobia enveloped the thirty-two people crammed into a dingy cell at the Elmina Castle on the Ghanaian Gold Coast. The cells here are no bigger than an average closet, and the only light which can be seen from the inside is a small square of light at the door. Everything inside the cell was black and quiet except for the breathing of those people around me. A few moments later, the door swung open and my lungs breathed in fresh air with relief. The staggering moment came when our tour guide informed ...364 miles away.
Catch a Bird's Eye View of the Rainforest in Kakum National Park
My heart pounds as I look over the landscape. Taking the first step is key to one of the greatest experiences I'll have in Ghana, if I can just get over the height. One deep breathe in and I'm going for it. Stepping onto the first bridge feels like freedom in the sky. It's a shaky freedom for me but freedom nonetheless. Exploring Kakum National Park in central Ghana provides an exhilarating close look at African nature. At 40 meters high in some areas, taking a canopy tour over the Kakum rainforest feels like a walk in the clouds. North ...386 miles away.

Media References

Woolly Worm Festival - NationalGeographic.com (magazine)

Language Guides

French , Hindi , Indonesian , Italian , Japanese , Lao , Malay , Mandarin , Portugese , Russian , Spanish , Thai , Turkish , Vietnamese are some of the languages spoken in United States. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!

Discussion

Experienced this and have something to share? Experienced something like this somewhere else? Looking for advise or travel companions? Use this space to leave your mark. Our writers and editors are more than happy to help answer your questions.

People with experience