Bigfoot believers will soon gather in the beautiful woods of southeastern Ohio. The Hocking Hills Bigfoot Festival returns with two days of speakers, competitions, and Sasquatch-inspired family activities.
The festival takes place Friday, Aug. 14, and Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Vinton County Fairgrounds in McArthur. The new location sits about 10 miles from Hocking Hills State Park.
Admission to the family-friendly festival is free. Organizers charge $10 for daily vehicle parking, with no limit on the number of passengers inside each vehicle.
The weekend includes Bigfoot discussions, live presentations, music, food and more than 200 acres of festival space. Visitors can also shop from local vendors or test their finest Sasquatch impression in one of several competitions.
Visitors can howl and walk like Bigfoot
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The official festival Facebook reel invites visitors to what organizers call a “Big Hairy Deal” in the Hocking Hills region. Friday’s festival runs from noon until 9 p.m., although the gates open an hour earlier. Squatch’ N Seek begins at 1 p.m., followed by Walk Like Squatch at 2 p.m. and the Squatch Howling Contest at 4 p.m.
The Bigfoot Beard Competition begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The contest is free to enter and will award $100 in total cash prizes to the three “Squatchiest” beards.
Saturday’s activities run from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. The official schedule includes another howling contest, a speaker panel and a live thermal-drone presentation.
Scheduled speakers include festival founder Bea Mills, naturalist Liz Siembida and members of the Cryptids of the Corn podcast. Visitors should bring a camp chair if they want to sit down and relax during the free talks.
The weekend includes a nighttime Bigfoot hunt
A separate Moonville Tunnel Night Hike will be offered Friday and Saturday. The off-site experience requires advance registration and is one of the few festival activities that charges an additional fee. The guided outing enters Bear Hollow in Zaleski State Forest, an area associated with local Bigfoot stories. It ends with a ghost hunt at the abandoned Moonville Tunnel.
Organizers say the hike takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes in each direction. Participants should bring a flashlight and insect repellent, and pets are not allowed. On-site camping is also available at the fairgrounds. Travelers can also find hotels, cabins, and campgrounds throughout the Hocking Hills region, but reservations may be limited during the festival weekend.