Get ready for the weekend because it is White Squirrel Festival time here in the mountains of North Carolina. Not only is it Memorial Day weekend it is the famous White Squirrel Festival here in Brevard and it is one festival that locals and tourists alike do not want to miss. Best of all – it’s FREE.
Brevard is famous for its white squirrel population which at some point was counted at over 1700. Now how they do the count is beyond me but they do it and I am not sure if it actually includes squirrels that are outside of the city limits. If not I can add our own backyard Whitey to the total.
So where did these white squirrels come from? Apparently they originated from a carnival animal truck. The carnival truck overturned, a couple of squirrels escaped and were caught by a man named Mr. Black who caught them in his pecan grove. They were then given to H.H. Mull who later gave them to his niece, Barbara. Apparently one eventually got loose and Mr. Mull let the other one go and that is when they started breeding in the area. We see them all over the place now after living here almost 4 years. . You can read more about them here.
So what goes on at the White Squirrel Festival? A lot. From music to food to all kinds of activities the festival is the event of the year here. I am looking forward to it and hopefully we will be able to take in a few of the fun activities that are planned.
Activities include a 5K/10K Run, all kinds of activities for the kids, arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, the fabulous Transylvania Farmers Market, a Memorial Day Parade on Saturday morning beginning at 9 am and a White Squirrel Photo Contest.
Musical guests include many local wonders and local talent. Some of the groups this year include Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds, Clint Roberts & the Wonder Drug, Zoe and Cloyd, Po Ramblin’ Boys and many others. All the concerts are free to the public.
For more information make sure to check out the website by clicking here.
Follow all of the fun on social media if you can’t be here in person.
