BANNER ELK, N.C. —

The Woolly Worm Festival is back this weekend after last year’s cancellation due to Hurricane Helene .

The woolly worm has been a folklore forecaster for generations in the High Country. Every fall in Banner Elk, the fuzzy caterpillars crawl their way into the spotlight at the Woolly Worm Festival.

“High country magic at its best," festival chairwoman Victoria Bowman said. "The festival just represents, I think, the best of what our community can offer."

Bowman explained they will be celebrating close to 50 years of the iconic event that draws in close to 20,000 people with races, food, music, and of course the big winter prediction.

So, how does it work?

The Woolly Worm races begin in the morning, and each heat consists of 25 worms. Races continue all day unti

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