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‘Twinkle Toes’ Climbs To Victory at 38th Annual Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk

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Rebecca Perree of Palm Beach, Fla., was all smiles after her woolly worm Twinkle Toes won the championship race on Saturday at the 38th Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk. Photo by Jim Morton

By Jesse Wood

The winning woolly worm for the 38th Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk is “Twinkle Toes,” whose owner is Rebecca Perree of Palm Beach, Fla.

Festival officials examined Twinkle Toes to determine an official winter forecast which begins with three weeks of cold weather and snow, followed by six weeks of below normal temperatures with snow, then two weeks of milder temperatures, and ending with two weeks of cool weather featuring light dustings of snow.

The festival took place this past weekend without a hitch and the weather couldn’t have been nicer, according to Avery County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Melynda Martin Pepple.

“We had just a great weekend,” Pepple said.

She noted that plenty of woolly worms raced; festival organizers did have a $1 bounty for folks who brought in woolly worms. She also mentioned that plenty of vendors showcased their crafts and offered a great selection of fare, and the festival featured “one of the best crowds” yet.

“It was an excellent festival,” Pepple said.