A growing number of people are letting their curiosities roam on the wild side as the Bigfoot phenomenon is becoming more prevalent across the nation. That enthusiasm for the elusive legendary creature is gaining more traction in Eastern Kentucky where tales of Sasquatch go as far back to the days of Daniel Boone, when the famed mountain explorer journaled about a hairy beast he witnessed in the woods that he called a Yahoo.
Long-time avid Bigfoot enthusiast Greg Yost, a boots-on-the ground researcher who lives just right across the Ohio River in Indiana, spends much of his time looking for the creature in the Jefferson Forest. He's such a big hit with the furry creatures and his popularity at Bigfoot conferences across the nation that he's become known as the Squatchman.
Yost was one of several Bigfoot speakers who were in London on Saturday for the town's first-ever southeast Kentucky Bigfoot conference. The Bigfoot phenomenon is sweeping the nation, and that's including the wild, remote, rugged hills of Eastern Kentucky, where adventure and tourism is at its height in the hills.
East Kentucky may be known for its many mysteries and folklore, but the small mountain towns in Appalachia are also becoming known for their creative ingenuity and building back after the demise of the coal industry. A big part of that building back is tourism and folks like London residents Tony and Nancy Workman, who founded the southeast Kentucky Bigfoot conference, believe the enigmatic creature can place their communities back on the map. Many in the mountains who are working to rebuild their communities may not believe in Bigfoot, but they believe in the future of their towns and what part the Bigfoot phenomenon could play. Nancy Workman sat down with WUKY after Saturday's inaugural conference concluded to talk about its value to the area,
Despite the critics and those who view the Bigfoot phenomenon as only entertainment, there are those like Yost, the Squatchman, who take it very seriously and have dedicated their lives to research it. One of the other speakers joining Yost on Saturday was premier Kentucky Bigfoot researcher Charlie Raymond, who has documented 788 sightings from credible witnesses in Kentucky alone. Raymond, who is based out of the Red River Gorge, also belongs to the BFRO — the Bigfoot research organization, which is the nation's most popular group when it comes to Bigfoot investigations. Raymond said Kentucky was a hot spot for Bigfoot activity.
Raymond added that he's had too many credible Bigfoot witnesses, including military men and law enforcement officers, to keep him from doubting the creature's existence. Raymond, who has been researching for three decades, said capturing solid evidence of Bigfoot's existence like a video or a photograph was challenging because of the creature's high intelligence.
For the naysayers who just refuse to believe that there could be anything out there like a Bigfoot. Matt Seeber of the East Tennessee Bigfoot organization, who also spoke at Saturday's conference in London, implores people to keep an open mind. Seeber said Bigfoot conferences also allow people to come forward with their experiences and to not be judged. He said conferences were continuing to grow in popularity, not just for enthusiasts, but for people wanting to see excitement brought back to their towns.
Nationally-known Bigfoot author and speaker Ken Gerhard was flown in all the way from the Catskills Mountains of upstate New York to lend his expertise to Saturday's conference. Gerhard said the phenomenon continues to intrigue and to attract because everyone loves a good mystery. Gerhard has been obsessed with researching Bigfoot since he was nine years old. His explorations have led him to be on many popular TV shows, such as Ancient Aliens and Monsterquest. When it comes to Bigfoot, Gerhard encourages people to do the research for themselves.
While the experts continue to research, discuss, and debate Bigfoot findings, towns like London in East Kentucky are embracing the tourism potential the legend is bringing. Tony Workman started the Southeast Bigfoot Conference in London to market his own Bigfoot comic book, as well as other writers and vendors who promote all things Sasquatch. Yost, the Squatchan, said just being out in nature and enjoying the great outdoors like East Kentucky was the best reward from searching for Bigfoot.