Caterpillars, Costumes, and Community: Ohio’s Woollybear Festival Returns for 54th Year

VERMILION, Ohio — What started as a quirky idea from a beloved TV weatherman has grown into one of Ohio’s biggest one-day events. The 54th annual Woollybear Festival is set for Sunday, Oct. 4, organizers announced Tuesday on FOX 8 News in the Morning. The festival, held in the lakeside town of Vermilion, honors the legacy of the late Dick Goddard, the FOX 8 legend who launched the celebration more than five decades ago. Last year’s lineup included the Woollybear 500 caterpillar race, pet and kid costume contests, a parade, live bands, and chances to meet FOX 8 personalities. Organizers promise more of the same this year — plus plenty of what Sandra Coe, executive director of the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce, calls “Woollybear wackiness.” The star of the show, of course, is the woolly bear caterpillar itself. Folklore says the insect’s fuzzy coat can predict winter weather: more black fur means a colder season, while the size of its orange band and the direction it crawls offer additional clues. Scientists, however, say the caterpillar’s coloring depends more on its age and diet than any meteorological magic. Goddard, a passionate animal advocate, believed in treating all creatures with kindness — even inchworms. “That’s the spirit he left us, and it’s what the Woollybear Festival is all about,” Coe said last year. “We’re proud to carry his legacy forward, with love, laughter and a whole lot of Woollybear wackiness.” The festival runs from morning until evening on Oct. 4 in downtown Vermilion. Admission is free.