Thursday, October 1, 2026
®
The World's Local News Source®
Marion, NC (WNN)— The annual WNC Bigfoot Festival returned to downtown Marion on Saturday, August 23, 2025, filling Main Street with Bigfoot enthusiasts for a day of mystery, fun, and folklore. The free, family-friendly event, which started in 2018, has become a major Bigfoot event in the state.
The Festival was started by a non-profit group called Bigfoot 911, founded by John Bruner, a beloved citizen of Marion, NC. Bigfoot 911 pursues professional research in cryptozoology, the study of hidden animals. The group spent years exploring the Mountains of North Carolina and beyond in search of Bigfoot. After several close encounters with the creature, they were inspired to hold the WNC Bigfoot Festival in their hometown of Marion, N.C. The Festival's slogan is "Come a skeptic. Leave a believer."
When the Festival started in 2018, it reportedly amassed more than 40,000 attendees, making it a big attraction for both long-time enthusiasts and curious first-time visitors.
The 2025 festival began with a special proclamation from Marion, NC, Mayor Steve Little, who declared Bigfoot the official town Animal of Marion. He stated:
"I, Steve Little, Mayor of the city of Marion, North Carolina, desire to honor and appreciate John Bruner. And also in my desire to continue and expand the fun and excitement by celebrating all things Bigfoot. I do hereby proclaim Bigfoot to be the official animal of the City of Marion, North Carolina.
Marion, N.C., Mayor Steve Little reading the official proclamation naming Bigfoot the official town animal. August, 23rd, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
The Mayor also thanked the vendors, exhibitors, attendees, and volunteers who made the event possible and encouraged everyone to have a great time and enjoy the day. He officially declared August 23, 2025, Bigfoot Day in the City of Marion.
The Festival had many activities that entertained everyone, regardless of age. One of the highlights was the Bigfoot calling contest, a fun and lively competition in which many showed off their skills in mimicking the sounds typically associated with Bigfoot—things like classic Sasquatch calls and the unique Ohio call. Registration took place under three blue tents set up specifically for the costume and calling contests. Organizers encouraged people to sign up early to ensure everything went smoothly.
Participants came from all over, including North Carolina, East Tennessee, and South Carolina. This brought a lively spirit to the contest, entertaining both judges and spectators. It was a great mix of skill, tradition, and fun, letting callers pay tribute to the legend.
Local radio personalities from Kickin Kountry 101, like afternoon host Shannon Steele and morning host Andy Gott, did a fantastic job energizing the crowd and keeping the vibe up throughout the day. The musical entertainment was also a treat, especially Jeff Honeycutt's powerful rendition of the national anthem, sung with genuine pride. Maddye Trew, who you may recognize from American Idol and CMT, brought some extra star power to the afternoon show.
The Festival also had some giveaways, including tickets to Lainey Wilson's upcoming concert at the Thompson-Boling Arena and a CMA guitar signed by well-known country music artists.
Many researchers at the Festival shared their insights. One of them was Terry Windell, a well-known Bigfoot researcher from Rock Hill, South Carolina. With over twenty years of hands-on experience in the field, Terry shared insights about his research. Growing up on his grandmother's farm in upstate South Carolina, he reminisced about how, back in the day, talking about Bigfoot was pretty much off-limits—often dismissed as a quirky topic. But now, it's evolved into a serious area of study within cryptozoology, with professionals dedicated to finding real evidence.
Windell captivated the audience with his vivid storytelling, recounting various encounters from his extensive research. He talked about sightings of shadowy figures with glowing red eyes in the woods of North and South Georgia and strange vocalizations known among enthusiasts as the "Ohio sound." Though not widely recognized, this particular sound is a specific call attributed to Bigfoot, based on numerous eyewitness accounts and field recordings.
He clarified that Bigfoot isn't just a myth; it's a real, elusive creature that has been part of human culture for thousands of years. He pointed out its presence in ancient stories, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, which mentions a "big hairy man" in the wilderness who has interacted with people, showcasing Bigfoot stories' deep cultural and historical roots.
Windell also suggested that Bigfoot might be an intelligent, sentient being—kind of like us—who has adapted perfectly to life in the wild. Unlike humans, they can drink straight from natural water sources and eat whatever they find around them. He speculated that they might live in organized family groups or clans, with social structures that can be both cooperative and sometimes hostile, reflecting a hidden but lively society within the natural world.
Main Street had many vendors selling everything from handmade jewelry to art and wooden Sasquatch carvings. Festivalgoers stopped by to browse, taste local favorites, and grab Bigfoot-themed T-shirts.
A Bigfoot T-shirt on display at the 2025 WNC Bigfoot Festival. August 23rd, 2025
Lauren Ramsey (WNN)
Families gathered around costumed Bigfoots who were taking photos with visitors, while kids got into the fun with face painting and opportunities to see characters wandering around. Many people in the crowd couldn't help but notice how packed it was, a sign that the Festival was a hit and a good sign for Marion's recovery after Hurricane Helene.
Attendees at the festival taking a photo with Bigfoot. August 23rd, 2025
Lauren Ramsey (WNN)
Jerry Millwood of Sasquatch Recon was among the researchers at this year's Festival. The group is based in the South Mountains near Casar, North Carolina, with members from across the Carolinas. Millwood said his team investigates reports of Bigfoot throughout the Southeast, from the mountains of North Carolina to Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Tennessee.
WNN's Rusty Wise interviewing Jerry Millwood of Sasquatch Recon at the 2025 WNC Bigfoot Festival. August 23rd, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
He described having two encounters of his own and explained that most sightings occurred after long nights in remote areas. "You're not going to be able to just go in the woods one day and snap a picture," Millwood said. "You've got to log a tremendous amount of time out there, usually at night."
Millwood added that he has collected photos, video, and audio evidence over the years, but has chosen to wait to share it as he has a book he plans to publish. He also spoke about unusual things people have reported seeing. These include weird lights, electronics losing power out of nowhere, and metal crashing sounds in the wild. Some researchers think these things might be connected to portals or some kind of interdimensional activity.
His advice to those attending the Festival was very straightforward: Respect Bigfoot's space. "These creatures exist. They don't hurt people like you're led to believe," Millwood said. If you're in the woods and you start having rocks thrown at you or certain sounds, they're telling you to get out of their area. My advice is to go in the opposite direction."
As the Festival ended, families, researchers, and local businesses left with unforgettable memories, unique encounters, and lively Bigfoot calls. Marion's annual Bigfoot Festival isn't just any event; it's a celebration of mystery, creativity, community spirit, and optimism about the future.
Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, everyone came away with something memorable—and perhaps a bit more open to what could be. With Main Street alive with activity and Bigfoot officially honored, it's clear that the legend will continue to attract visitors, keep local legends alive, and inspire new generations for years to come.
For further WNN articles and news stories, visit https://wisenewsnetwork.com
For more WNN video news stories, visit YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wisenewsnetwork
Contact WNN at newsdesk@wisenewsnetwork.com
North Carolina Press Association Member
©️Copyright 2025 Wise News Network. All rights reserved.
