Sasquatch Chronicles Blog

OWNSEND, Tenn. (WVLT) – A festival dedicated to the mysterious being known as Bigfoot brought vendors, researchers and a lot of believers out to Townsend on Saturday to enjoy the day.

“It’s just a lot of fun no matter. Whether you think it’s silly or you or you take it seriously like I do, there’s something for everybody,” festival founder Brian Johnston said.

The festival is held in the Smoky Mountains and has been held every year since 2021.

Johnston said this is the perfect place to hold the festival.

“It got started just because we had an interest in Bigfoot, and we thought this would be something that the community could gather around,” Johnston said. ”It’s something that we think is indigenous to the Smoky Mountains. Townsend is really for us, the gateway to the Smokies. I mean, we are the most entered side of the park; this is the perfect place to have it.”

East Tennessee celebrates Bigfoot with annual festival

One researcher, Harley Owens, said his goal for the day was to share his findings and speak with people who share his thoughts when it comes to sasquatch.

“It’s incredible, just the amount of people that have come by so far to see me, and it’s just the overwhelming support. That’s what the Bigfoot community is, like people support each other, and it’s not to be taken lightly because we are firm in what we do,” Owens said.

People were able to share their own experience with Bigfoot that has made them a believer.

To them, this festival is a chance to be around others who went through a similar thing.

“It’s very awesome to just have people that believe the same things and to have similar stories, similar interests and even people who are out here just like they’re skeptics and just want to have fun, you know, and then come, go home, believe in Bigfoot then,” one festival goer said.

Owens said his belief in Bigfoot has meant so much to him and has changed his life.

“I was a skeptic and nonbeliever in this stuff until I encountered my first one in 2020, and it shattered everything I knew about the world,” Owens said. “Now being a researcher and helping people open their minds and share their stories, it’s just it’s so huge for me. I don’t take it for granted one bit.”