The mysterious creature known as Bigfoot — or Sasquatch — is reported to have wandered the mountains of Western North Carolina for years. But on May 19 and 20, 2023, Bigfoot’s whereabouts will be no mystery — he’ll be celebrating with fans of all ages at the fourth-annual WNC Bigfoot Festival in historic downtown Marion.
Started by a local Bigfoot researcher who allegedly spied the towering, ape-like creature on the shores of Lake James in 2019, the two-day festival includes an educational expo and a free all-day street festival dedicated to everyone’s favorite elusive legend.
For 2024, our local Bigfoot crowd is kicking things off differently, with a music concert at The Box Factory, NC Municipal Event center!
Friday, May 17 - The Box Factory, NC Municipal Event Center (29 Logan Street)
6:00pm (doors open at 4:30pm) -1st Annual Bigfoot Jam
On Saturday, five blocks of downtown Marion will be dedicated to the family-friendly festivities, with vendors selling Bigfoot-themed wares ranging from soaps to keychains to T-shirts. The “Little Foot Zone” for kids will feature inflatables and other fun activities. Plenty of costumed ‘Squatches will be wandering the streets available for selfies!
A series of speakers will take the main stage throughout the day on Saturday, including members of the Bigfoot Field Research Organization, as well as author Zach Bales, of the Bigfooter's Atlas and internet personality "The Paranormal Roadtripper". And don’t miss the annual Bigfoot Calling Contest at noon, with winners announced later in the day.
Saturday, May 18 – Downtown Marion
10:00am Festival Begins
10:15am Opening Ceremony – Mayor Steve Little
10:30am Blue Shades Band
11:00am Christian Macloud American Cryptid & Paranormal
11:30am Zach Bales Paranormal Roadtripper
12:00pm BIGFOOT CALLING CONTEST
12:30pm Blue Shades Band
1:00pm Margaret Langley - Haunted Broughton
1:30pm Terry Wendill Rock Hill Bigfoot
2:00pm Blue Shades Band
2:30pm Rick Reles & Lori Wade of BFRO
3:00pm NC Squatch Watchers
3:30pm Blue Shades Band
4:00pm Tim Dills
4:30pm Blue Shades Band
5:00 p.m. - Closing ceremony
The whole town of Marion gets in on the fun, too! Look for Bigfoot-themed beers on tap at the breweries, and find Bigfoot-inspired pottery, stickers, plushies and more!
The McDowell Arts Council Association (MACA) on Main Street will be hosting their first ever Bigfoot Pop-Up Shop, featuring a curated collection of fine art, heritage crafts, and handmade items with a cryptid and Sasquatch theme. Items available at MACA are made or produced exclusively by local artists!
Give your own big feet a workout by starting Saturday off at the Bigfoot Dash 5K race. Registration is $30 per person with proceeds benefiting Marion Elementary School. And don’t miss two nights of rock n’ roll at the Spillway Bridge & Co. Music Hall.
Find all of the details at https://marionbigfootfestival.com/. Happy hunting!
