Civil Air Patrol Members Power One of the High Country's Largest Traditions

By: SSgt Bob McManus, CAP

Public Affairs Officer, Boone Composite Squadron

As thousands of visitors gathered for the 2026 Woolly Worm Festival, cadets, senior members and parents from the Boone Composite Squadron served on the front lines and behind the scenes of the event, playing a key role in delivering one of the High Country's most recognized annual traditions. "We could not run the festival at the level we do without the partnership of Civil Air Patrol," said Victoria Bowman, executive director of the Avery County Chamber of Commerce and chair of the Woolly Worm Festival.

Throughout the weekend, squadron members worked alongside festival staff in a variety of roles to help keep one of the High Country's most recognized annual events running smoothly. Members assisted with setting up the squadron's information tent and outreach area, scanned admission tickets, and assisted with guest re-entry as visitors flowed through the festival grounds.

Members also took on one of the event's most demanding behind-the-scenes responsibilities: keeping the grounds clean during peak attendance. Cadets continuously circulated throughout the festival as teams, monitoring nearly 20 trash receptacles that were located across the grounds. During busy periods, containers could fill from empty to overflowing in a matter of minutes, requiring constant attention to keep the venue clean and welcoming for guests.

Senior members supported the effort by coordinating logistics, transporting supplies, operating the Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) for trash collection, assisting at the outreach table, and staffing ticket booths. Their efforts helped ensure cadets could focus on serving visitors while gaining the maximum benefit from the experience.

Ms. Bowman credited Civil Air Patrol members with helping maintain the high operational standards expected by festival organizers. "The Boone Composite Squadron and the group as a whole are a fundamental reason why the operational infrastructure of the festival is as polished as it is. My event career has spanned over 25 years at this point, and CAP members are some of the most solution-orientated volunteers I have had the pleasure to work with."

In addition to supporting festival operations, squadron members staffed a Civil Air Patrol table where they introduced visitors to the organization's cadet programs, emergency services missions, aerospace education opportunities, and volunteer roles. Cadets and senior members spent the weekend answering questions, sharing their experiences, and helping community members learn more about CAP and its impact across North Carolina.

Among the visitors to the Civil Air Patrol area was North Carolina Wing Commander, Col. Brendan Kearns, who stopped by the festival to meet with cadets and senior members, to observe their work throughout the event and experience the festival firsthand. "Events like this allow our cadets to represent CAP publicly, interact with people outside the squadron, and build confidence, professionalism, and leadership skills through real-world experience," Kearns said. "At the same time, they give the local community an opportunity to learn more about CAP, our missions, and the service our volunteers provide."

Kearns said what stood out most during his visit was the value of simply being present in the community and the positive impression made by CAP members serving throughout the weekend. During his visit, he also participated in one of the festival's signature traditions, entering a woolly worm race while representing North Carolina Wing. While his racer failed to make much progress up the string, Kearns took the result in stride, joking that the wing would be aiming for a stronger performance next year.

The outreach effort also supported another important community mission. While speaking with visitors, squadron members raised funds for their upcoming Wreaths Across America ceremony scheduled for 19 Dec 2027, at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens in Boone. Funds raised during the festival will help the squadron secure approximately 700 wreaths to honor veterans and ensure their service and sacrifice are never forgotten.

For many cadets, the weekend provided an opportunity to develop leadership and communication skills while serving the community in a real-world environment. Working directly with festival attendees, coordinating with fellow volunteers, and adapting to the fast-paced nature of a large public event gave cadets valuable experience beyond the classroom and traditional training activities. "With so many people coming and talking to us at the tent, I learned that outreach isn't about recruiting for yourself or even our squadron," said C/SMSgt Nathaniel Wenger. "It's about representing CAP and sharing what the organization has to offer them."

Through service, teamwork, and community engagement, Boone Composite Squadron members demonstrated Civil Air Patrol's commitment to developing leaders and supporting local communities. The partnership with the Woolly Worm Festival not only contributed to the success of the event but also provided meaningful opportunities for cadets to put Civil Air Patrol's core values into action while serving the High Country community.

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SSgt Bob McManus, CAP

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