All Squirrels Must Die!

White squirrel power

The town of Brevard, N.C., is holding a White Squirrel Festival over the Memorial Day weekend. The small Western North Carolina town claims to be the home of the white squirrel. According to whitesquirrels.com: 27% of Brevard’s squirrels are white squirrels, and since only Brevard has an annual White Squirrel Festival, The White Squirrel Institute, and The Squirrel Box Derby downhill race, this is why Brevard, NC is often referred to as the “White Squirrel Capital of the World.”

While the festival has music, drink and dance, the main focus seems to be the centered around the pigment-challenged little rodent. Scheduled events include: Squirrel Box Derby, White Squirrel Race, White Squirrel Guided Tours, White Squirrel Exhibit and White Squirrel Feeder Competition. But according to blueridgenow.com, “Part of the festivities on Saturday is an effort to break a record in the Guinness Book of World Records. At 3 p.m., the organizers are working to gather 250 people dressed as white squirrels to dance at the entertainment stage for five minutes.”

Who knew there was such a world record. Who knew there was such a festival. Apparently this is the seventh annual event. Why does a rodent that is just a variation of the eastern gray squirrel warrant a festival? Why are these Southerners so proud of their white squirrels? And more importantly, when does squirrel season start in North Carolina?