Woollybear Fest returns

VERMILION — After last year's cancellation, due to COVID-19-related restrictions, the Woollybear Festival is returning to Vermilion on Oct. 10. This year's fest, however, will not feature an appearance from Woollybear festival founder Dick Goddard. The legendary Cleveland meteorologist passed away on Aug. 4, 2020. The festival features food, art and craft vendors as well as carnival rides and games, a kids race, and the Woollybear 500 which pits moth larvae against each other in races held on the live entertainment stage. The Woollybear parade will commence at 1:30 p.m. The Woollybear Festival was created in 1973 as a fundraiser for the Firelands-Florence Township elementary school PTA. The first eight festivals were held in Birmingham before the event grew too large and was moved to Vermilion. The festival has traditionally taken place on a Sunday on which the Cleveland Browns do not play a home game. This year, the Browns travel to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers on Oct. 10.