The legend of Bigfoot is often associated with the Pacific Northwest, but has the mythical creature ever been spotted in North Carolina? That was listener Tammy Walston's question for Carolina Curious this week.
According to Rick Reles, with the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization, the answer is yes.
"There's some very famous ones [spottings] in the Uwharrie. I recently had a good one near King's Mountain, Pisgah National Forest," he says. "I've had a number of them.”
Reles tracks alleged sightings across the country through the organization's online database. He says in the last 50 years, over 100 have been reported in North Carolina — mostly in the mountains.
The state is home to at least three festivals dedicated to Sasquatch. Tour guides regularly lead Bigfoot hunting hikes in Bryson City, and there’s even a museum centered on the creature in Littleton.
Reles says interest in the phenomenon has surged recently — podcasts, television shows and even musicals have all popped up in the last few years.
“There’s a lot more open acknowledgement, a lot more things people can tune into or go to to learn about this phenomenon," he says.
Reles is set to speak about his experiences at the first annual Squatchapalooza festival in Mills River this weekend. It’ll feature a Bigfoot Calling Contest, stories of encounters and more. Organizers say they’re expecting thousands of attendees.