Banner Elk’s Woolly Worm Festival being held Oct. 18-19

Banner Elk’s Woolly Worm Festival being held Oct. 18-19

BANNER ELK – The Woolly Worm Festival returns to downtown Banner Elk on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18-19. After a one-year cancellation due to Hurricane Helene, the festival is back and stronger than ever, with new features designed to enhance…

Wiggling into the 48th annual Woolly Worm Festival

Saturday and Sunday the lawn of the Historic Banner Elk School turned into a bustling event featuring crafts, handmade goods, live music, festival food and the main event — the woolly worm race.  The 48th Annual Woolly Worm Festival was hosted by the Avery County Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club of Banner Elk.  Jim Rice, of Turtle Old Man Jewelry, creates jewelry by hand to be sold in his booth in Banner Elk on Oct. 19. (Noah Williford) …

After a Helene Hiatus, Banner Elk’s Woolly Worm Festival Returns Oct. 18-19

October 3, 2025 The Woolly Worm Festival returns to downtown Banner Elk on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18-19. After a one-year cancellation due to Hurricane Helene, the festival is back and stronger than ever, with new features designed to enhance the visitor experience. For nearly half a century, more than 20,000 festivalgoers have gathered in Banner Elk the third weekend in October to cheer on woolly worms racing up strings for a chance to becom…