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METALINE FALLS – The fourth annual Bigfoot festival got off to a wet and cold morning and the chill lasted all day. Despite a thunderstorm rolling in, attendees came in their jackets to participate by eating food, drinking coffee and shakes and shopping for Bigfoot souvenirs from vendors lined across Metaline Falls downtown Saturday.
Mike Jones of Brewster, camping at Metaline over the weekend, stopped in to see what the festival was all about. This was his first time at the festival and first time in the area.
“We came to Metaline to go off roading,” Jones said. “Some friends were here last year and we decided to come up with them this year.”
Jones and his wife Sherry were supposed to leave for home Saturday, but Jones said they decided to stay due to weather.
Jones heard of the fabled Bigfoot, a mythological creature that roams the Pacific Northwest.
“I am skeptical,” he said.
Sarah Hawkes of Spokane came to the festival with her two sons Justin and Brandon.
“This is my third and my boys look forward to it every year.” She said.
Unlike Jones, Hawkes is a confirmed believer of the existence of Bigfoot.
“I have been on some hikes and seen some prints. Got to have hope,” she said.
The Bigfoot Festival began with a 5K race and had five Bigfoot presenters speaking about Sasquatch research and sightings. Afterwards, attendees had dinner with the speakers with a purchase of tickets. Sunday closed with a pancake breakfast hosted by the American Legion.
