Bigfoot Camping Adventure returns to Fayette County
Associated Press
The legend of Bigfoot has baffled many people. In this file photo from 1980, a footprint measuring 17 3/4 inches long and 7½ inches wide was discovered at a residence in in Johnstown. The Pennsylvania Bigfoot Camping Adventure will come to Benner’s Meadow Run Camping and Cabins in Farmington May 31 and June 1-2 with appearances by “Finding Bigfoot” star Cliff Barackman and local expert Stan Gordon.
Cliff Barackman, James “Bobo” Fay, Ranae Holland and Matt Moneymaker are the research team and hosts of “Finding Bigfoot.” Barackman will appear in Farmington May 31 for the Pennsylvania Bigfoot Camping Adventure at Benner’s Meadow Run Camping and Cabins in Farmington.
Pennsylvania Bigfoot Camping Adventure is returning to Fayette County with speakers and workshops, Bigfoot movies and night hikes as well as television celebrities Cliff Barackman from “Finding Bigfoot” and the AIMS team from “Mountain Monsters.”
The adventure is scheduled for May 31 and June 1-2 at Benner’s Meadow Run Camping and Cabins, 315 Nelson Road, Farmington. Pennsylvania Cryptozoology Society, a statewide organization, is partnering with Bigfoot and Paranormal Society, a local group from Fayette and Westmoreland counties, to sponsor the event.
“People have a blast. We’ve had a lot of positive feedback,” remarked Eric Altman, of Irwin, who explained this is the third time the Pennsylvania Bigfoot Camping Adventure is being held in Fayette County. Previous years were 2016 and 2017. Both years saw close to 300 campers participating.
After a year off, the camping adventure is back with Altman reporting there are about 130 of 500 tickets still available. If tickets sell out online, no tickets will be available at the door.
The schedule features a town hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. May 31 where campers can share stories of their own experiences.
“People who have an encounter are often afraid to come forward and this gives them an opportunity,” said Altman.
This will be followed by a Yeti Yowling contest for youths and a Bigfoot Bonfire at 7:30 p.m.
Small groups of campers will be able to join experts in night hikes May 31 and June 1 on nearby hiking trails.
“It’s a chance for them to walk around with speakers and celebrities and see what we do,” remarked Altman, who said the Chestnut Ridge area “is a hotbed of activities. It’s been well documented back to the 1800s. There have been sightings from Dunbar through Benner’s in Farmington to Quebec Run. I’ve investigated encounters over Chestnut Ridge for the last few decades.”
Those who do not participate in the hikes will be able to enjoy Bigfoot bingo as well as Bigfoot movies and documentaries, including a local film called “Invasion on Chestnut Ridge” that includes Bigfoot and UFO reports for the past 50 years.
Saturday and Sunday will features speakers from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Many have appeared on television, including Cliff Barackman, co-star of the long-running Animal Planet television series, “Finding Bigfoot;” Ken Gerhard, who has appeared on the History Channel, Travel Channel and SyFy network; Bill Brock of Destination America’s “Monsters Underground;” and the Appalachian Investigators of Mysterious Sightings who are with Destination America’s “Mountain Monsters” as well as local expert Stan Gordon, of Greensburg.
A full list of speakers and celebrity guest are available on the Pennsylvania Bigfoot Camping Adventure website. The schedule for speakers will be released before the camping adventure begins.
Altman said the weekend will include an auction June 1 and 2 of Bigfoot-related items, such as posters, movies and books, that will benefit three local charities: Unity, A Journey of Hope, Lucky Paws Animal Rescue and Fayette Friends of Animals.
Tickets and more information can be found at www.pabigfootcampingadventure.com or contact Altman at erichaltman@yahoo.com.