Woolly Worm Festival Brings Races and Rewards to Avery County Schools

Woolly Worm Festival brings races and rewards to Avery County Schools

AVERY COUNTY — The Woolly Worm Festival is crawling its way into Avery County classrooms this week in a big way, as organizers and educators have teamed up to bring the worm races to the schools ahead of the big…

Indiana Visitor’s Worm Wins Woolly Worm Festival

Last Updated on October 19, 2025 5:55 pm An Indiana woman's woolly worm named Billy won the 2025 Woolly Worm Festival championship Saturday, earning $1,000 and the honor of predicting this winter's weather. Maribel Murphy of Indiana guided Billy to victory in the annual racing competition that draws thousands to Banner Elk each October. According to Appalachian folklore, each of a woolly worm's 13 stripes represents one week of winter weather. B…