SUPERNATURAL SYMBOL: There are a handful of cities and regions around the world that are associated with something scifi or supernatural. Some of those places ignore the creature or legend that is tied to the region, while others celebrate it, so much so that the strange being is almost the ambassador for the area. Yep, we're thinking of the Headless Horseman and Tarrytown, New York, or perhaps even aliens and Roswell, New Mexico. Likewise, our state's own Humboldt County and the redwoods has not shied from a certain and certainly tall, hirsuite beastie that goes by the name of Bigfoot 'round those parts. Stop in nearly any gift shop along the redwood-laden Avenue of the Giants and you're likely to find at least a magnet or two depicting Mr. B. Foot in mid-stride. But up in the town of Willow Creek? It isn't just about the magnets and bumper stickers. They throw the area's hairiest symbol a party each Labor Day Weekend. Meaning Bigfootians will again converge on the Northern California hamlet from Saturday, Sept. 1 through Monday, Sept. 3.
WHAT'S ON TAP: The three-day party isn't merely about trying to score a Bigfoot sighting (and if the photos of past festivals tell the tale, that won't be so hard; the hairy host walks around and waves at visitors). There's an oyster feed and a barbecue and a lawn mower race and other small-town sweet things. And the Willow Creek-China Flat Museum's Bigfoot exhibit will likely be a must-stop for enthusiasts of the odd who stop in town for a day. What's there? Large foot casts and photographs and other Bigfootian memorabilia. Speculate away, dear scholars. Speculate away.
