Last Updated on October 9, 2026 8:28 am
Heads up, High Country: the busiest traffic weekend of the year is coming the weekend of Oct. 17-18.
The Valle Country Fair in Valle Crucis, along with the Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk, will bring the largest influx of motorists for the year on Saturday, Oct. 17, with the festival continuing Sunday, Oct. 18. Add in what is usually considered peak leaf-viewing weekend, along with other events, and High Country roads will be jam-packed.
The Valle Country Fair runs Saturday only, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The 49th annual Woolly Worm Festival is a two-day event, running 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Saturday is the busier day.
Valle Country Fair: Admission is free, and parking is charged per vehicle: $10 per car, $25 per small bus or van and $50 per large bus or motor coach. The fairgrounds are along N.C. 194 near Valle Crucis. Pets are not allowed.
Woolly Worm Festival: The festival is held at the Historic Banner Elk Elementary School, 185 Azalea Circle, with races beginning around 10 a.m. Parking is free on a first-come, first-served basis, and overflow parking may be available for a fee charged by non-profit organizations. The festival also offers a remote parking and shuttle service with Lees-McRae College. According to the festival’s website, admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12, with children 5 and under free. Tickets are sold online through the festival’s website. Pets are not allowed, except for woolly worms.
Motorists are highly encouraged to:
Leave for your destination much earlier than you usually might.
Allow plenty of time to get to your destination, especially since it’s two-lane roads into Valle Crucis and Banner Elk.
Expect traffic tie-ups and delays.
Bring along lots of patience.
Have fun.
