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. Billy's stripe pattern suggests a cold, snowy start to the season, milder temperatures in mid-winter, and a frosty finish.
The festival uses a color-coded system to interpret the forecast. Black stripes indicate below-average temperatures with snow, while amber and dark brown suggest below-average temperatures without significant precipitation. Brown stripes represent average temperatures, light brown indicates above-average warmth, and flecks suggest below-average temperatures with light snow or frost.
Saturday's event is believed to be the biggest one ever, attendance-wise.
The annual event has been a Banner Elk tradition for decades, combining Appalachian weather folklore with family entertainment and competitive worm racing.
Photos: Shawn Stricklen
