May 30-31, 2025
Distinguished Guest Speakers and Celeberties
Learn about these mysterious creatures from well-respected academics and researchers!

D. Jeffrey Meldrum, Ph.D.
Dr. Jeff Meldrum is a Full Professor of Anatomy & Anthropology at Idaho State University (since 1993). He teaches human anatomy in the graduate health professions programs. His research encompasses questions of vertebrate evolutionary morphology generally, primate locomotor adaptations more particularly, and especially the emergence of modern human bipedalism. His co-edited volume, From Biped to Strider: the Emergence of Modern Human Walking, Running, and Resource Transport, proposes a more recent innovation of modern striding gait than previously assumed. His interest in the footprints attributed to sasquatch, was piqued when he examined a set of 15-inch tracks in Washington, in 1996. Now his lab houses well over 300 footprint casts attributed to this mystery primate. He conducts collaborative laboratory and field research throughout North America, and the world (e.g. China, Russia), and has spoken about his findings in numerous popular and professional publications, interviews, television and radio appearances, public and professional presentations. He is author of Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science (Tom Doherty Publishers), which explores his and other scientists’ evaluations of the contemporary evidence, and also affords deference to tribal people’s traditional knowledge of this subject. He has also published two field guides, one focusing on sasquatch, the second casting the net more broadly to consider the potential of relict hominoids around the world (Paradise Cay Publishing). He is editor-in-chief of the scholarly refereed journal, The Relict Hominoid Inquiry.

Cliff Barackman
Cliff Barackman has been doing bigfoot field research since 1994. His expeditions have taken him to 46 states and five continents in search of evidence supporting the existence of undiscovered hominoids worldwide. As the evidence analyst on Animal Planet’s hit television show, Finding Bigfoot, Cliff has applied his skill and expertise to a variety of photographic, video, film, and sound evidence. He has appeared on many other television shows and documentaries as a Bigfoot specialist and cryptozoologist. Cliff is especially familiar with the footprint and handprint evidence for sasquatches, and he is the curator for one of the largest collections of cast evidence in the world. His collection includes impressions from North America, Asia, Australia, and Europe. Cliff and his wife, Melissa own and curate the North American Bigfoot Center in Boring, Oregon which features the largest public collection of bigfoot evidence in the Pacific Northwest. Besides his bigfoot interests, Cliff also is an accomplished guitarist. You can often find him quietly strumming on the porch of his rural property on the western slopes of Mount Hood, deep in the heart of sasquatch country.

Mountain Monsters
Here's your chance to meet the Mountain Monsters! Joining us this year will be the always entertaining and fun Wild Bill, Huckleberry and Buck! The Mountain Monsters is a hit reality television series that follows the adventures of the Appalachian Investigators of Mysterious Sightings (AIMS), a group of skilled outdoorsmen and hunters. Set in the dense and rugged forests of Appalachia, the show chronicles their thrilling quest to track down legendary creatures and cryptids rumored to inhabit the region, such as the Mothman, the Grassman, and the Wampus Beast. Combining suspense, camaraderie, and a healthy dose of folklore, Mountain Monsters has captivated audiences with its mix of mystery and adventure. The team's passionate dedication, dramatic investigations, and high-energy personalities have made the series a standout in the realm of paranormal and cryptid television, creating a devoted fan base eager to see what legendary beast they’ll pursue next.
Charlie Raymond
Charlie Raymond is the founder of the Kentucky Bigfoot Research Organization (KBRO) and a dedicated Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) investigator with over three decades of experience in Bigfoot research. A passionate, boots-on-the-ground investigator, Charlie has interviewed nearly 700 credible eyewitnesses across Kentucky, documenting encounters with a meticulous approach grounded in science and psychology. With a degree in Psychology from the University of Florida, Charlie leverages his expertise in human behavior to assess the credibility of witness accounts, carefully discerning between authentic experiences and exaggeration. His commitment to ensuring the legitimacy of the encounters he documents has earned him respect in the field of Bigfoot research. Unlike armchair researchers, Charlie spends almost every weekend immersed in the wilderness, leading private and public expeditions in pursuit of evidence and answers. Through years of dedication, he has amassed a wealth of knowledge, contributing valuable insights to the study of this elusive creature. Charlie’s work has been featured on The Animal Planet, The History Channel, and The BBC. A captivating speaker, he frequently presents at libraries and Bigfoot conferences across Kentucky and the United States, using his engaging style to entertain, educate, and inspire audiences. He is also the author of the highly successful book, Bluegrass Bigfoot: Encounters With The Kentucky Wildman, a fascinating collection of eyewitness accounts and investigative insights. Charlie regularly participates in book signings and events, continuing to share his findings and passion for unraveling the mystery of Bigfoot.

Thomas Shay
Thomas Shay, founder of the Northern Kentucky Bigfoot Research Group, has amassed the largest collection of foot and hand casts in Kentucky—and east of the Mississippi! Since his first encounter in 1987, Thom has dedicated his free time and resources to interviewing witnesses, conducting investigations, and leading expeditions. Don’t miss the chance to explore his incredible cast collection and gain insights into Bigfoot from this seasoned researcher!
The VIP Dinner on Friday May 30, 2024 is SOLD OUT.
Kentucky's Largest Bigfoot Festival will take place in the Red River Gorge on May 30-31, 2025! World renowned guest speakers, celebrities, family activities, movies, music, food trucks and tons of unique vendors!
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