BANNER ELK, N.C. — Chief Meteorologist Nicole Madden was in Banner Elk Friday morning talking about fall foliage and previewing the Woolly Worm Festival with Adam Binder, also known as “Mr. Woolly Worm 2.”
This year, the festival runs October 16 and 17 at Historic Banner Elk School.
The festival is run by Kiwanis Club of Banner Elk and Avery County Chamber.
Proceeds of festival go back into the community. Half to Kiwanis which goes to grants given that impact the children of the county and half to Avery Chamber which goes towards promoting tourism to area.
The festival has over 150 Art and Craft Vendors, 30+ Food Vendors, live entertainment a kids zone and more!
However, the heart of the festival is the woolly worm races which happens on stage with 25 lanes, so 25 worms per heat. If you win your heat, you come back for a semifinal race and if you win your semi you come back to the finals.
The winner of the finals gets $1000 and the winning worm is used to predict the winter weather.