EMPORIUM — The annual Bigfoot Hunt organized by Mountaineer Search and Rescue (MSAR) will be held in Cameron County on Saturday during this year’s Weekend in the Wilds event in Emporium.
This year marks the eighth Bigfoot Hunt, and the event continues to grow with each passing season.
MSAR President Steve Bajor stated that organizers are amazed at how popular the event has become and how much support they have received from the community.
“We really can’t believe how this has continued to be popular year after year. We have some really awesome prizes coming in this year, with a couple new businesses donating new, different gifts than what we’ve had in the past,” Bajor said.
The elusive Big Feet, complete with painted toenails, can be found along hiking trails, near points of interest, and at vistas, as in years past. This year, historical places have been added to the list, as well. Twelve of the Big Feet will be hidden across Cameron County’s approximately 400 square-mile area.
Big Feet are hidden on public, accessible land, including a number of locations made available through the support of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) parks and forestry bureaus. All locations are places the public can access, and none will be hidden on private or restricted lands.
Typically, MSAR sells between 40 and 80 licenses per year for this event. All successful hunters will receive a prize. Monetary prizes of $100, $50 and $25 will be gifted, along with a variety of gift certificates and a variety of prizes donated by local businesses.
Licenses will be available through Friday at the Lakeview store on Route 872 near Sinnemahoning State Park, the Sinnemahoning Tavern, the Driftwood Saloon, the Bear’s Den in Sterling Run and the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce and Artisan Center in Emporium. Licenses are $5, and the hunt is open only to license-holders.
Prizes will be awarded at a ceremony to be held on the Community Stage at the Mini-Park at the corner of Chestnut and Fourth streets in Emporium following the Bigfoot Calling Contest set to begin at 2 p.m. For this year’s calling competition, competitors will stand behind the stage while displaying their talents.
“We’ve had a lot of people calling to find out what the Bigfoot Hunt is all about,” said Bajor. “TomBob Outdoors has a video of a past hunt on their website, and it’s a really good way for new participants to learn about the hunt and get an idea of where some of the Bigfeet might be hiding.”
More information is available on the Mountaineer Search and Rescue Facebook page or by contacting the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce and Artisan Center.
