Nebraskaland

56 Nebraskaland • July 2023 MIXED BAG Bigfoot has long been part of American myth — and according to the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization, the fabled beast has been spotted in Nebraska at least 15 times. The most recent report, from Thurston County in May 2018, describes a creature "MUCH larger than me. It could easily be 10 plus feet." The scientific consensus is that Bigfoot isn't real, but that hasn't stopped the ongoing search, nor the fascination. If you're hungering for a Bigfoot sighting of your own, there's one reliable place in Nebraska where he can be found: Ponca State Park. In April 2020, the world was reeling from the coronavirus pandemic, and staff at Ponca had a big question to answer. Their education programs were an important part of guest experience, yet buildings were being shut down, and they couldn't hold any programs face-to-face. How, then, could they keep people engaged? The answer? A Sasquatch costume from the park's annual Hallowfest event. "We decided that we were going to stuff it and start moving it around the park and kind of do a self-guided scavenger hunt," said Katie Leware, a Ponca State Park superintendent. "It's a 7-foot-tall Sasquatch costume. You can't really miss him." This summer marks the third year guests can hunt for Sasquatch, as he's known at the park, and send in selfies to be shared on Ponca's Facebook page. Staff move him to new locations weekly in the summer and every two weeks in the off-season. The venture has been a big success. "He kind of has his own fan club. People come out just to look for him," said superintendent Lynn Mellick. "It's almost like a cult following. It's really neat how it's taken off." Staff have fun with the project, too, dressing up Sasquatch when the mood strikes. Visitors have spotted him decked out in rabbit ears for Easter, board shorts and sunglasses and a Santa suit. News has traveled outside Nebraska, too — Leware says Bigfoot enthusiasts from around the country have traveled to Ponca just to take part. Ponca's office staff typically know where Sasquatch is and are willing to point you in the right direction, she added. Sometimes, he can be found on a hiking trail, requiring some legwork to reach him, but a lot of the time, staff put him near a parking lot or safe pull-off on the road, so those who can't make the hike can still participate. Sasquatch remains outside 24-7, and they've already had to replace the first Sasquatch costume due to the elements. Given the cost of the costume, Leware isn't sure the Sasquatch scavenger hunt would survive the need for a second replacement. "But it's kind of become part of what Ponca's known for, and so my hope is that it continues for quite a while." THE PONCA SASQUATCH By Renae Blum While his siblings were a bit wary of Sasquatch, Declan Ferguson of Omaha has always been interested in "scary" stuff , his mom said. KALENE PINK FERGUSON After fi nding Sasquatch at Ponca State Park, a couple poses for a selfi e. DARLENE KASSUBE There have been 15 reported sightings of Bigfoot in Nebraska. Some counties have had multiple reports.

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