By popular demand, Dr. Mireya Mayor, the popular host of Expedition Bigfoot, will be returning to Bowling Green, and this time, she’s bringing an even bigger team with her to WCPL’s second annual Bigfoot MiniCon! Mayor will be joined by an incredible roster of experts at the Capitol Saturday, August 2, including:
•Russ Acord and Biko Wright from Discovery Channel’s Expedition Bigfoot
•Dave Schrader of Travel Channel fame (The Holzer Files, Ghosts of Devil’s Perch)
•Beloved personalities from Mountain Monsters: Joseph “Huckleberry” Lott, William “Wild Bill” Neff, and Jacob “Buck” Lowe
•Seasoned researchers Ryan Golembeske and Mark Pruitt
A general admission ticket will get you a full day packed with thrilling presentations, intriguing discoveries, and mysterious tales as these renowned figures take center stage. An afternoon Town Hall will allow locals and visitors to share their personal cryptid encounters and stories. The Vendor Hall will be open that day, as well, for folks to purchase unique items from the presenters and other vendors from 12pm to 2:30pm and 5pm to 7pm. For those who select the VIP ticket option, the fun will begin Friday night at a Cocktails & Cryptids reception at 6pm at SOKY Center, where attendees will get to sip, snack and dive into conversations with the presenters, some of the most recognized names in the field! Take a look at their accolades:
•Mireya Mayor is a world-renowned primatologist, explorer, award-winning TV host, and a recognized science communicator. As National Geographic’s first female wildlife correspondent, she has hosted dozens of documentaries, including her own Nat Geo Wild! series Wild Nights with Mireya Mayor and Expedition Africa for the History Channel. She currently stars in Travel Channel’s hit series Expedition Bigfoot.
•Russell Acord is an accomplished author, part-time filmmaker, and dedicated professional in the nuclear industry. His diverse career also includes a significant role in the Travel Channel’s series Expedition Bigfoot, where he collaborated with three other serious researchers. Russell’s participation in the series highlights his commitment and brings a level of professionalism and experience to the field of Bigfoot research.
•Biko Wright is an adventurer, survival expert, and wilderness enthusiast with a deep-rooted passion for exploring the unknown. Known for his resilience and resourcefulness, Biko rose to prominence as a fan-favorite contestant on Alone, where he showcased his determination and ability to thrive in the harshest conditions. He now brings his talents to Expedition Bigfoot as the newest member of the team, adding a fresh perspective and unparalleled survival skills to the mission.
•From an early age, Dave Schrader has been surrounded by the strange and anomalous, from haunted homes to creature sightings, UFO encounters, and more. Now, as an experienced paranormal investigator, he travels the world seeking the truth and following the claims of ghosts, Bigfoot, UFOs, monsters, myths and legends. You can find Dave streaming on MAX & Discovery+’s hit TV series, The Holzer Files and Ghosts of Devil’s Perch.
•Matt Pruitt has dedicated nearly two decades to investigating the Sasquatch phenomenon. As an engaging public speaker, he has been invited to share his insights on various media outlets and platforms. In 2023, he published The Phenomenal Sasquatch: Seeking the Natural Origins of a Cultural Icon, a book that demonstrates his dedication to unraveling the truth behind this intriguing mystery. He is the producer and editor of the podcast Bigfoot & Beyond with Cliff and Bobo.
•Ryan “RPG” Golembeske is a researcher and media personality specializing in the study of Bigfoot, other cryptids, and various aspects of the paranormal. Known for his enthusiastic and inquisitive approach, he has made significant contributions to the field of cryptozoology and paranormal investigation. His fascination with Bigfoot has driven much of his work, as he seeks to gather evidence and understand the nature of this legendary cryptid.
Two additional free activities will lead up to the weekend. There will be a free movie at the Capitol Wednesday, July 30, at 6:30pm starring John Lithgow, Melinda Dillon, and Margaret Langrick, in which the Henderson family adopts a friendly Sasquatch but have a hard time trying to keep the legend of “Bigfoot” a secret. Tickets are not required; concessions will be sold.
We will also host another “Bigfoot Art Crawl,” during which explorers will be invited to locate all custom-designed Bigfoot sculptures, six that were painted last year by local artists and one that was added this year, placed in various locations around Bowling Green/Warren County. Anyone who takes a photo with each of them and shows them to us at the door will receive a free ticket for Saturday’s MiniCon activities! The hunt is not limited to a specific date or time, so participants have all month to search for Bigfoot!
Find all the information you’ll need to make your Bigfoot experience complete at warrenpl.org/bigfoot. Ticket links are on that page and can be accessed as well at capitolbg.org/events.
-by Ashley Fowlkes, Digital Content Manager, WCPL
