Clackamas County will “celebrate all things Sasquatch” during the inaugural Mt. Hood Sasquatch Festival coming to Welches this spring.
Mt. Hood Oregon Resort will host the event April 11-13, bringing together Bigfoot hunters, enthusiasts, filmmakers and local vendors.
Among the presenters is Cliff Barackman, a cast member on Animal Planet’s long-running “Finding Bigfoot” TV show and founder of the North American Bigfoot Center in Boring.
Other speakers include Jeff Meldrum, professor of anatomy and anthropology at Idaho State University and author of “Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science”; Micheal Freeman, author of the book “Freeman Bigfoot Files”; investigators with Big River Paranormal; Clyde Lewis from Ground Zero radio; and Marc Myrsell, a land surveyor and Bigfoot historian.
Joseph Granada, director, writer and star of the movie “The Sasqualogist,” will speak and host a screening of his film.
A full list of presenters can be found at https://linktr.ee/MHORsasquatch.
The festival will also have a vendor marketplace with Oregon artisans such as Bend Crafters Co., Bluff Farm Pottery, Lone Mountain Art, 10 Buffalos Art, Cole Crafted and Top Flight Sweets.
A “Kids Zone” from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday will offer kids activities including a Sasquatch coloring contest, lessons on how to track wildlife, and a Bigfoot hunt with prizes.
And at least one “Sasquatch” is guaranteed to be roaming the property during the event, offering special gifts to those who spot him.
Oregon is a hotbed of reported Bigfoot activity, and Clackamas County has more reported sightings than any county in the state. In a previous interview with The Oregonian/OregonLive, Barackman noted that Clackamas County’s Timothy Lake, particularly the south side, has had numerous Bigfoot reports. Would-be Bigfoot searchers can also seek out places with suspicious names, such as Devil’s Meadow on Zigzag Mountain or Ogre Creek on the Collawash River.
“All throughout the Mount Hood National Forest, there are great locations to go Bigfooting,” he said.
Mt. Hood Oregon Resort, 68010 East Fairway Ave. in Welches, will put visitors right in the middle of that Sasquatch hotbed. (It’s also home to a 27-hole golf course and a spa, when you’re done searching for Bigfoot.)
Three-day festival passes are $40 with a limited-edition swag bag, or $35 for a pass without the swag. Single day admission for Saturday only is $25. Admission is free for children under 10.
The festival also offers a variety of meet-and-greet opportunities with speakers ranging from $25 to $45. Tickets can be purchased online via Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mt-hood-sasquatch-festival-tickets-1145904584459?aff=oddtdtcreator.
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