51st Annual Woollybear Festival

One of the best things about Cleveland, is that our suburbs outer-ring communities can be counted on to put on some of the unique and entertaining celebrations you'll find on the regional events calendar. It's with this in mind that we present to you the annual Woollybear Festival in Vermilion. Yep, we're talking about a day-long festival, in the western-most reaches of Northeast Ohio, that is dedicated entirely to a fuzzy caterpillar. And you should absolutely go. The Woollybear Festival is, first and foremost, a family event. So, doll the little ones up in brown and orange - easy enough, given the region's love affair with their football team - and get ready to learn what fill power you'll need for your down coat this winter. Woollybears on Parade You’ve got to watch the parade, because this is a big one, folks. We're talking dozens of local marching bands, floats, military groups and local on-air television personalities. It's a lot like Mardi Gras, only everyone is dressed like caterpillars and no one is throwing up. And then, gentlemen, start your caterpillars ... it's time for the Woollybear 500. What's the Woollybear 500, you ask? It's an actual race that pits your child's real-life woollybear against those of his or her archrivals. Now, woollybears are not known for their speed, so after the starting gun fires, you should go grab one of the festival's famous woollybear sundaes or woollybear-shaped lollipops. You'll probably have time. Wild and Woolly Be on the lookout for giant woollybears. Ok, they're not really woollybears, but look for animals - dogs, rabbits, goats, small children, you name it - dressed like woollybears. In the case of the animals, there's a Woollybear Animal Look-A-Like Contest in which judges award the best-dressed beast. Then, it’s time for the real reason we’re all here. The Woollybear Festival happens every year on a Sunday close to October 1 - its official function is, much like Groundhog Day, to allow the caterpillar to predict the start of the next season (in this case, winter). But don't worry about it interfering with that Browns game you were dying to attend - it's always scheduled for a Sunday in which the beloved team is out of town. Get to Vermillion and celebrate fall fun the woollybear way.