The PA Wilds Conservation Shop in Marienville will be helping Forest County celebrate its most beloved cryptid on June 7.
The Forest County Bigfoot Festival will run from Friday, June 6 until Sunday, June 8. Events include crafters and vendors throughout Marienville, a Bigfoot night hike on Friday night, a Bigfoot calling contest on Saturday afternoon, and the Bigfoot 5K run on Sunday morning. Find the full schedule of events at ForestCountyBigfootFestival.
The PA Wilds Conservation Shop, located in the historic former Jenks Township train depot building, is one of three mission-driven gift shops that are operated by the nonprofit PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship (PA Wilds Center). PA Wilds Conservation Shops help improve market access for rural entrepreneurs by sourcing 90 percent of their inventory from rural makers and businesses in the 13-county Pennsylvania Wilds region.
“The Bigfoot Festival always draws a sizable crowd, and the atmosphere in Marienville during the festival is so welcoming and energizing,” said Jocelyn Sekera, manager at the Marienville PA Wilds Conservation Shop. “We’re excited to have these vendors set up outside of our shop, and we’re looking forward to talking with Forest County Bigfoot Festival attendees from near and far.”
The Conservation Shop in Marienville will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. However, the shop will host a special food truck and vendor event on-site on Saturday, June 7.
Vendors that will be set up in the PA Wilds Conservation Shop parking lot on June 7 include:
Biscuit Authority – Laura Carson is a dog “paw-rent” to three pups, and she believes that it matters where their treats and chews come from. Laura founded Biscuit Authority so she could focus on sourcing high-quality pet treat ingredients from Pennsylvania. Her products include farm-to-pet products, pet treats and chews, and locally sourced beef, chicken, duck, turkey, rabbit, and venison for your pets.
Benezette Bait Company – Jeremy Kuntz at Benezette Bait Company makes soft plastic fishing lures for many species of fish, along with jigs, weights, and hooks for all types of fishing. Benezette Bait offers a stock line of products, and they also do custom orders to ensure that your lure is truly one-of-a-kind.
McDalong Presents – Dalong always loved stuffed animals growing up, and now she crochets dozens of different animals (and cryptids) in the cute “amigurumi” style. Some of these handmade crochet critters include chipmunks, squirrels, bass, ducklings, skunks, owls, and of course Bigfoot and his smaller buddy Littlefoot!
Splishy Splash Craft – Christina Krautz offers metal and enamel jewelry, mostly with a vintage feel. Christina says Splishy Splash Craft has a modern but old pawn aesthetic, using plenty of silver, enamel, and turquoise. Each piece is handcrafted and unique to you. She hopes the jewelry will continue to build its story with you for lifetimes to come.
Back Alley BBQ – If your stomach is growling louder than Bigfoot, it’s time to grab something tasty from the team at Back Alley BBQ. Some of their typical menu items include pulled pork and pulled chicken sandwiches on sub rolls, daily homemade mac and cheese, loaded hog nachos and loaded chicken nachos, hot dogs, kraut, chili, chili cheese, walking hog or chicken tacos, and lots more.
In addition to the vendors who will be outside in the parking lot of the PA Wilds Conservation Shop, be sure to stop inside the Conservation Shop itself. Visitors will find souvenirs and gifts that are handcrafted or designed locally, with an emphasis on celebrating the history of the town’s railroad line and the mystery of where Bigfoot might be hiding in the woods of Forest County.
Learn more about the Marienville Bigfoot Festival at ForestCountyBigfootFestival.
