The Bigfoot Trail

The legend of Bigfoot has enlivened many campfires over the years. Tales of encounters with Sasquatch, descriptions of how tall, hairy and intimidating he is, leave some spooked and others excited.

Is it wishful imagination, or are elusive real-life creatures concealing themselves in the forests? There is no definitive evidence that Bigfoot exists — no bones or DNA from hair samples have been found — but the creature fascinates the American public. And not just in this country. In the Himalayan mountains, the mythical ape-like creatures are known as Yeti.

In the small town of Glide in Douglas County, Oregon, it’s a big boost to tourism. The town held its first Glide Sasquatch Festival in July 2022. The community with a population of approximately 2,300 saw an influx of 25,000 visitors. The festival geared to all things Sasquatch doubled in size for 2023. 

Locally, Bigfoot “statues” may have Wilmington residents doing double takes.

Thrill of the Hunt, an antique and resale store on Oleander Drive, has a Bigfoot statue strategically posed outside the shop.

The shop has been selling the life-size Bigfoot statues for two years, in 8-foot and 6-foot options.

“A lot of the sculptures are for mountain homes, for people to decorate their properties with, and some are gifts for people with a Bigfoot obsession,” says Thrill of the Hunt owner Linda Greco. She says many dress their Bigfoot up on holidays with Santa hats, Easter baskets and so on.

Several people who purchase one swear they have seen a real Bigfoot, she says.

Steve Warwick would chuckle every time he saw the Bigfoot as he drove by Thrill of the Hunt. He bought one a couple of years ago to spread that smile to others. His Bigfoot is in his backyard for people to spot as they drive over the Hewletts Creek bridge on Pine Grove Drive.

Warwick moves it around every so often and puts a Santa hat on it during the holiday season.

Another Bigfoot “statue” is in Clarence Wood’s front yard on Parkway Drive by Long Leaf Park. He made his Bigfoot out of wood in two days, drawing it free hand and carving with an electric saw. He also makes Bigfoot designs out of aluminum cans, about 5 inches tall.

“I’ve always been interested in the story of Bigfoot, always watched it on the History and Discovery Channel, and read the stories on Facebook of the Bigfoot believers,” he says.

Wilmington’s Bob Pogue is the owner of five Bigfoot statues in his yard at the corner of Pine Valley and Kirby Smith Drive. His interest in decorating with Bigfoot began when he and his wife went to the “World’s Longest Yard Sale” from Alabama to Michigan on the hunt for a Bigfoot for their friend. Once they found one, they wanted their own. Pogue made his by welding several pieces of sheet metal together and painting them. They vary from extremely tall, to just a few feet in height. He now gets requests, and has made a few for other Wilmington residents.

 “It’s kind of fun to have something a little unique,” Bob says.

He and his wife decorate the Bigfoot family for the holidays, including Santa hats for Christmas and patriotic garb for the Fourth of July. He says his display brings a smile to those driving by and kids waiting at the bus stop across the street.

“It makes us feel good too,” he says.

Bigfoot Field Research Organization

www.bfro.net/GDB/default.asp is a geographic database of Bigfoot sightings and reports. At publication time, Missouri had the latest posting to the site, August 2023. Washington state has the most reports with 713. There have been 106 sightings in North Carolina with the last reporting date of July 2022; Montgomery County leads with 15, most of them in the Uwharrie National Forest.