North Carolina town celebrates Bigfoot with proclamation, festival

MARION, N.C. — He goes by many different names and is feared by some, but in one North Carolina mountain town, Bigfoot is celebrated.

The town of Marion has proclaimed the elusive creature its "official animal," following a reported sighting last year.

[Bigfoot sightings reported in North Carolina]

The largely ceremonial proclamation takes effect Sept. 8, the day of a Bigfoot festival that intends to assemble proof of the creature's existence.

[Idaho woman blames car crash on deer-chasing Bigfoot]

John Bruner is the founder of Bigfoot 911. He says he was with the group last August when they spotted a large creature "covered in hair" in a forested area. He pitched the proclamation to town officials after Whitehall, New York, did something similar in July.

Mayor Stephen Little says he has yet to catch sight of Bigfoot, but anyone who visits Marion might see one.

The WNC Bigfoot Festival will be held from noon – 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8 on North Main Street. There will be family-friendly activities, a Bigfoot calling contest, food, vendors and more.

A 5K run will be held before the festival at 8 a.m.

For more details, click here.

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Associated Press