Weekend lures trackers and enthusiasts to Richland County
A memorable weekend packed with tracking workshops, discussions, and fun as the first ever Bigfoot Basecamp lumbers into Richland County, Sept. 9-11, 2022. Matt Moneymaker, host of Animal Planet’s wildly popular “Finding Bigfoot” series will teach the latest technology and techniques being used to search for the giant Sasquatch. Other popular guests include famed Bigfoot Field Researcher and Organization Investigator, Charles Kimbrough, author of “Squatchin’ 101.” Locals and others who have reported Bigfoot sightings in North Central Ohio will share their stories.
With Ohio ranked fifth in the nation, logging more than 315 reports of Bigfoot sightings, and Richland and Ashland County authorities having taken 13 recent reports of folks seeing Bigfoot, the region’s stature as a mecca for Bigfoot followers is evident. But the activity isn’t new to the area. Our nation’s first park ranger to report a Class A Bigfoot sighting took place here in 2020 at Pleasant Hill Lake Park. And the first sighting in Ohio was reported here back in 1899 when Cyrus Gatton claimed to have seen the Yeti at the Clear Fork of the Mohican River. Sightings are ranked by classification, with Class A meaning the reporting individual saw Bigfoot clearly and misinterpretation is unlikely. A Class B encounter means the person has discovered unmistakable evidence of Bigfoot in the area. Class C represents a hearsay account of a Bigfoot sighting.
The Sept. 9-11 event features loads of experiences for you, your family, or friends to choose from. Many are designed for kids, to guarantee the weekend is family friendly. For example, the Welcome Center Nature Room will be filled with the history and ephemera related to Bigfoot, an outdoor showing of the movie, “Harry and the Hendersons,” leave no trace education, a group river clean-up, the chance to tie dye their own Bigfoot T-shirt. There are also plenty of chances to meet and talk to Bigfoot experts, with never-before-seen HD thermal imaging being demonstrated as the latest bigfoot research technique. The video will be live streamed via drone. A screening of the Bigfoot documentary, “The Back 80” and a late-night volunteer-led Bigfoot Night Hike to area Bigfoot sights, along with wildlife detection tips. The activity-filled weekend will round out with book signings, autograph sessions, guided history tours, a Bigfoot sighting pontoon boat tour.
Some experiences are free but require registration at the Welcome Center, while others are paid, ticketed events. Due to the popularity of the weekend, tickets for some of those events have sold out, but others still have availability. However, there are still plenty of non-ticketed activities to explore.
DestinationMansfield.com has all the details on the Bigfoot Basecamp Weekend, including links to book your lodging, dining, and registration of events.