Woollybear Festival returns to Vermilion

VERMILION — The 53rd-annual Woollybear Festival, Ohio's largest one-day festival, takes over downtown Vermilion on Sunday. It goes from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is presented by the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Fox 8, drawing thousands each year to celebrate fall — and the fuzzy caterpillar that folklore says can predict winter. Here's a schedule of events: 8-10 a.m. The day begins with registration behind the main stage at Ohio and Main streets for the Woollybear 500 Caterpillar Race; king and queen costume contest and the animal and pet costume contest. No pre-registration is required. 9 a.m. Johnny Live performs classic rock and country on the main stage, while kids line up for the World's Greatest Kids' Race at Vermilion High School Stadium. Registration for the race begins at 8 a.m. 10 a.m. The Woollybear 500 preliminaries kick off at 10 a.m. with Lil' John 11 a.m. The king and queen costume judging takes place, also with Lil' John. Noon The animal and pet costume judging takes the main stage, emceed by Fox 8's Mackenzie Bart and Roxie. 1:30 p.m. The Wonderful, Wacky Woollybear Parade begins, led by grand parade marshal Wayne Dawson of Fox 8 and emceed by Lou Maglio and Tracy McCool. Expect marching bands, majorette groups, vintage automobiles, royalty, animals and much more. 3 p.m. Stotridge Acoustic Rock takes the stage at 3 p.m. 4:30 p.m. The Woollybear 500 finals begin with Lil' John 5 p.m. Winter weather prediction All day Festival goers will also find the Fox 8 tent and photo booth near the main stage, the Ohio Lottery tent, more than 40 food booths and more than 100 marketplace vendors. Official festival T-shirts will be available at the Vermilion chamber booth near the food midway by the railroad tracks. More information is available at woollybearfestival.com.