Woollybear Festival being brought back

VERMILION — After going into hibernation for 2020, a popular festival catering to caterpillars plans on making a comeback this year. The Vermilion Chamber of Commerce, on Wednesday, announced the 2021 Woollybear Festival takes place on Sunday, Oct. 10. Organizers nixed last year's event due to COVID-19. "We've consulted with the health department, and they have given us the green light to safely resume this great family event," chamber director Sandra Coe said. "We are honored and proud to do just that." This year's event marks the first without beloved Fox 8 meteorologist Dick Goddard, whose passion for helping animals was the driving force behind the event. "He would want us to move forward with his legacy, the annual Woollybear Festival," Coe said. The festival originated in Birmingham, just south of Vermilion, where it began as a PTA fundraiser in 1973. Attendance ballooned from 200 during its debut to 10,000 just five years later. In 1981, because of its popularity, the festival relocated to Vermilion, where it's been celebrated ever since. Organizers said it's considered the state's largest one-day festival in terms of attendance. "The fact that we are celebrating the 49th annual Woollybear Festival is incredible to think about. Last year, the 48th festival wasn't held due to COVID restrictions," Coe said. Several popular attractions — such as World's Greatest Kids Race, the Queen's Festival along with games, vendors and other spectacles — should return. "We're overjoyed that we have an opportunity to celebrate Mr. Goddard's life, his passion for animals and his passion for community," Coe said.