Bigfoot Conference Oct. 17 in Jefferson

By Anthony Davis

The creature is known by different terms in different locales around the globe.

Sasquatch, Yeti, Bigfoot. All have been used to describe the always-mysterious and sometimes frightening beings said to occupy deep-woods environs from Fouke, Ark., to Fairbanks, Alaska.

Researchers, analysts, anthropologists and students of the paranormal will gather in Jefferson, Texas, Oct. 17-18, to compare notes and seek answers to ages-old questions at the 3rd Annual Texas Bigfoot Conference.

More than 250 attendees are anticipated, up from the 150 curious participants last year, said Craig Woolheater of the Texas Bigfoot Research Center.

"Our group, the Texas Bigfoot Research Center, is attempting to document and study this creature's existence. We are a self-funded group, relying on our group members to procure expensive electronic equipment such as night vision and thermal imaging. We also investigate Bigfoot sightings reported to us by eyewitnesses," Woolheater said.

Keynote speaker for the two-day event is John Kirk, president of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, who will speak on his group's research of sasquatch in British Columbia. Other speakers slated to provide information and share experiences concerning Bigfoot include Loren Coleman, author of the upcoming book "Bigfoot: The True Story of Apes in America." Lee Murphy will return to this year's symposium to discuss his new book, "Heretofore: Unknown," the story of the Honey Island Swamp Monster.

"There will also be a video presentation of "The Texas Bigfoot," shot by Danny Sweeten near Cleveland, Texas, in 1995. This is footage which has never been shown publicly, and investigators who interviewed Sweeten will discuss the case," said Woolheater.

Kriss Stephens, a paranormal investigator with MTV's show "fear" will also be on hand to discuss Bigfoot and other strange creatures. Chester Moore Jr., author of "Boogers, Bears, Birds and beasts: Cryptozoology in the American South," will return to discuss his field research of Southern Cryptids.

And what Bigfoot conference would be complete without Fouke's own Smokey Crabtree, who will lead a field trip to Fouke's Boggy Creek Sunday. Crabtree's accounts of the Fouke Monster have attracted attention and curiosity about the Southwest Arkansas bottom lands which allegedly shelter the creature's existence.

So, for those with enough interest and a keen, analytical mind, the 3rd Annual Texas Bigfoot Conference is where you want to be. Just be prepared to entertain some interesting possibilities.

For information call the Texas Bigfoot Research Center at (877) 529-5550.

From: Texarkana Gazette, 4 October 2003.