What is it?
The Wooly Worm Festival is a three-day event held each year to have fun while celebrating a particular species of caterpillar, the Woolly Bear, whose black and tan stripes locals use to predict the harshness of the upcoming winter.
Festivities include a vast open-air market, live music, an annual car show that coincides with the dates of the festival, and, of course, the famous Wooly Worm Races. If you're wondering what the deuce that is, the signature event pits the fastest woolly caterpillars in the world against each other in a head-to-head race up a piece of string. Winner takes $1000!
Participants can either bring their own woolly worm or buy one on-site. The racers also have to be named. Be creative.
Where is it?
The Woolly Worm Festival is held in Beattyville, a small town in Kentucky that boasts about having that unique American "small town feel".
Beattyville's main streets are closed off for the duration of the festival.
When is it?
The Wolly Worm Festival is held annually in October. In 2008, the dates are October 19th to the 21st.
Our take
What a unique piece of folklorist Americana mixed with modern-day entertainment! Although the centerpiece "race" may not initially sound like fun, the festival's atmosphere is superb, and there really are enough various activities to keep every member of the family satisfied for three days. Plus, if you're not a kid anymore, you'll sure feel like one.
Remember to take a trip to Natural Bridge State Park when you're there, too. It's an exquisite example of natural beauty.
The Wooly Worm Festival is a three-day event held each year to have fun while celebrating a particular species of caterpillar, the Woolly Bear, whose black and tan stripes locals use to predict the harshness of the upcoming winter.
Festivities include a vast open-air market, live music, an annual car show that coincides with the dates of the festival, and, of course, the famous Wooly Worm Races. If you're wondering what the deuce that is, the signature event pits the fastest woolly caterpillars in the world against each other in a head-to-head race up a piece of string. Winner takes $1000!
Participants can either bring their own woolly worm or buy one on-site. The racers also have to be named. Be creative.
Where is it?
The Woolly Worm Festival is held in Beattyville, a small town in Kentucky that boasts about having that unique American "small town feel".
Beattyville's main streets are closed off for the duration of the festival.
When is it?
The Wolly Worm Festival is held annually in October. In 2008, the dates are October 19th to the 21st.
Our take
What a unique piece of folklorist Americana mixed with modern-day entertainment! Although the centerpiece "race" may not initially sound like fun, the festival's atmosphere is superb, and there really are enough various activities to keep every member of the family satisfied for three days. Plus, if you're not a kid anymore, you'll sure feel like one.
Remember to take a trip to Natural Bridge State Park when you're there, too. It's an exquisite example of natural beauty.