If you’re bright-eyed and eager to attend a fun festival, head to Brevard, NC, for the White Squirrel Festival, honoring a one-of-a-kind resident of the area. The festival has been among the most notable things to do in Brevard, NC, and one of several popular events near Asheville, NC. A favorite of both locals and visitors, this festival is one you won’t want to miss out on!
There’s everything from live music to white squirrel sightseeing tours. Whatever events are planned, there is a lot of entertainment at a festival as unique as the creature it celebrates.
About the Elusive White Squirrel
While you might think of a white squirrel as being albino, this is not true of the white squirrel species living in Brevard, NC. In other parts of the U.S., Albino squirrels do exist, but these are much rarer than the white squirrel of Brevard. The white squirrel is a sibling of grey squirrels but with a gene mutation resulting in the pure white coat.
Brevard, NC, is one of the few places the white squirrel calls home. Other areas known for the white squirrel are Charlotte, also in NC; Olney, IL; Marionville, MO; Kenton, TN; Tallahassee, FL; Trenton, NJ; and the Northern Keys in Florida. Outside of the US, the white squirrel is found in Exeter, Ontario, Canada. However, the white squirrel population in Brevard is among the largest of these locations.
As the legend goes, a traveling carnival accidentally introduced the white squirrel to the area. A pair of these squirrels were found along the travels and taken to include in the show. One of these animals escaped, and another was let loose, thus starting the propagation of the white squirrel population in Brevard, NC.
Another variation of the tale has the carnival truck overturning in 1949, with the two white squirrels escaping into the mountains.
Whatever is truth or lore, today, up to 5,000 squirrels—white and gray—reside in the town of Brevard. Since 1986, the white squirrel has been granted sanctuary protection; it is prohibited to take a white squirrel from the area, kill or harm them, or even bother them in any way.
In addition, evidence of the fascination of this Brevard resident is all over town: white squirrel statues in local hotels, the White Squirrel Shoppe carrying memorabilia and gifts, and even white squirrel murals on the sides of buildings.
Plan Your Visit
Come see what makes WNC so magical, and when looking for somewhere magical to stay, look no further than us at Pete Key Properties. Browse our rentals and find the perfect place to call home during your next getaway!
About the White Squirrel Weekend
With a large population, legal protection, and people traveling from all over to catch a glimpse of this elusive critter, it’s not surprising that an entire festival is built around this fascinating resident. In fact, Brevard is the only area that holds a Festival honoring the white squirrel.
The first White Squirrel Weekend festival was held in 2003. At this inaugural event, a sculpture of a white squirrel created by a local artist was unveiled in front of City Hall.
In this first year, the event was a street festival with food and even a car show; over the ensuing years, it has grown to incorporate local musicians, displays of local art and visits to art galleries, 5- and 10K races, and guided tours so visitors have the opportunity to see a live white squirrel for themselves.
The tour is typically held on the Brevard College campus, which might hold the area’s largest concentration of white squirrels. Located on the edge of town, the campus is 120 acres—a lot of room for the squirrels to move about and live their lives!
There is lots of fun at each festival, and this year will be no different! With the festival coinciding with Memorial Day Weekend, there will also be a parade to honor our armed forces and memorial services to remember fallen soldiers.
What to Expect
Plenty of food from local vendors and businesses, tours of art galleries, live music of all genres, arts and crafts for sale, kids’ activities, a beer garden, and special activities such as the White Squirrel Photo Contest can all be expected when you attend the White Squirrel Festival.
With the festival once again coinciding with the holiday weekend, you could also expect street closures and limited access to parking, so plan accordingly. It is estimated that about 25,000 people visit downtown Brevard during this time of the year.
Brevard is just a short drive from downtown Asheville and is one of the best events near Asheville, NC.
Book Your Brevard NC Rental with Pete Key Properties
If you’re planning on celebrating the White Squirrel in May, it’s best to start securing your accommodations early, as it is one of the most popular events in Brevard, NC events.
Whether you’re searching for rentals in Brevard, NC, or Asheville vacation rentals, Pete Key Properties has a wide range of 1-4+ bedroom cottages, cabins, and homes to meet all of your needs. You get fully equipped kitchens, in-unit washers/dryers, high-speed internet, flat-screen and Smart TVs, provided linens and towels, and expansive scenic views of the NC mountains.
You might also find such features as huge and multi-level decks, BBQ grills, furnished patios, fireplaces, and fenced yards.
Be close to the magic and awesome activities like horseback riding, mountain climbing, rafting, wildlife viewing, and local shops and boutiques, all while having your own private oasis to call home while you’re here! Look through all our Asheville and Brevard vacation rentals and find the perfect spot and start planning your dream vacation today!
