The Search For Bigfoot In PA: 30,000 Expected For Event

FOREST COUNTY, PA — Pennsylvania may be home to some of the nation's largest and foremost cities, but its woods are lovely, dark, and deep, and hold mysteries and wonders of nature little-known by the people of the pavement. There is plenty of room for Sasquatch to roam in the Allegheny wilds.

A rapidly growing event celebrating that fantasy — or distinct possibility, depending on who you ask — will take place this weekend in Forest County, in northwestern Pennsylvania.

Some 30,000 people attended the Bigfoot Festival in 2024, and organizers are hoping for an even more impressive turnout in 2025, according to the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau.

The family-friendly event will feature many thematic activities: games, guest speakers, and artisans and crafters will all contribute in their unique way to the festival's Bigfoot aura.

"Experienced bigfoot hunters will share their stories," organizers say, and Saturday will feature a contest where participants take turns "calling" out to Bigfoot, presumably lurking and perhaps curious in the bush just beyond the festival village, to join the festivities.

Though all this fanfare would appear to be paying homage to one of the foremost figures of American wilderness lore, it seems doubtful Bigfoot would appreciate the centerpiece of the weekend: the "Bigfoot Hunt."

Though firearms are strictly prohibited for the hunt — you may use your camera only — the terminology alone may be enough to irk this giant of dubious gentleness. Organizers have placed 10 Bigfoot silhouettes throughout the National Forest, and presumably photos of these silhouettes will earn you the same Sasquatch cred as images of the real thing.

Don't forget, after all, that a "Class B" sighting of Bigfoot was made in Pennsylvania in 2023, and it was deemed "credible" at the time by the pertinent mythological authorities that be. Pennsylvania is something of a Bigfoot hotspot in the country, with documentaries set here in addition to numerous "sightings."

There is a $10 registration fee for valid hunting licenses, and you must pre-register online. The hunt begins at 6 p.m. Friday, and ends at noon on Sunday.

Other features include a 5k run, movies, live music, food trucks, and more.

Here's the full schedule of events, with the time and location within the festival included:

Friday June 6

• 6 p.m.: Bigfoot Hunt Registration - FCBF Tent
  • Townhall Meeting with Mike Familant - Firehall
  • Music by "Radio45" - Town Circle
• 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Food and Craft Vendors
• 10 p.m.: Bigfoot Night Hike - Remote location

Saturday June 7

• 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Bigfoot Hunt Registration - FCBF Tent
• 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Food & Craft Vendors10am-8pm Petting Zoo - Corner of N Forest St & Rt66
• 11 a.m. Guest Speaker - Mary Fabian -Town Circle
• 12 p.m. Guest Speaker - Mike Smith - Town Circle
• 1 p.m. Featured Speaker -Mountain Monsters *Willy McQuillian & Jeff Headlee - Town Circle
• 2 p.m. Bigfoot Calling Contest Biggest Foot Contest
• 3 p.m. Speaker - Jason Kenzie - Town Circle
• 4 p.m. Speaker - Turtle Man/Swamp Man - Town Circle
• 5 p.m. Speakers Round Table Discussion-Town Circle
• 6:30 p.m. Music by "Trixx"

Sunday June 8

• 8 am. - 9 a.m. 5K Registration - Train Station
• 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. Bigfoot Hunt Registration - FCBF Tent
• 9 a.m. 5K Run
• 9 a.m. Food & Craft Vendors
• 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Petting Zoo
• 11 a.m. Speaker - Ron Howes -Town Circle
• 12 p.m. Speaker - Daniel Benoit - Town Circle
• 12 p.m. Bigfoot Hunt Ends
• 1 p.m .Speaker - Eric Altman - Town Circle
• 2 p.m Speaker - Sheila & Scott Grainger - Town Circle
• 3 p.m. Hunt and Raffle winners announced - Town Circle
• 4:30 p.m. Event ends