A beloved festival is back in the mountains, and organizers are expecting a big crowd, despite some rain in the forecast.
White Squirrel Weekend kicked off in Brevard on Friday, May 26, spanning three days over the holiday weekend.
Organizers anticipate about 30,000 visitors will walk through downtown during the festivities.
There was a steady flow of people on Saturday, with rainfall causing the crowd to shrink just a little around 4:30 p.m. But the rain, overall, has not been keeping people away.
This marks the 19th annual White Squirrel Weekend Brevard, formerly known as the White Squirrel Festival.
“It’s sort of like Bigfoot,” said Nicole Bentley, executive director of Heart of Brevard, the nonprofit organization that puts on the event. “Some people come and they don’t think the White Squirrel really exists. Some people are here to see a legit white squirrel.”
The event had a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic during 2020 and 2021 with a return in 2022.
Back in 2002, the festival was created to boost local tourism after several plants in Brevard shut down. And it worked!
Bentley said local businesses continue to thrive each year during the events.
“I’ve been here for about 15 years, and I’ve watched it grow over time,” said Heather Cornin, of Brevard. “I think it’s great, it does a lot for the locals.”
“It is Memorial Day weekend, so a time that folks like to be here and enjoy all our beautiful outdoor assets," she said. "It gives them another reason to come downtown, explore downtown and enjoy the businesses that are here.”
Nearly 100 vendors have set up shop for this rain-or-shine event.
“It’s great,” said John Taylor, owner of O.P. Taylor’s Toy Store. “It boosts the economy and kicks off the summer.”
CLICK HERE for more information about the weekend festivities.