Welcome to the Ohio Bigfoot Jamboree! Join us for a day filled with excitement, mystery, and maybe a sighting or two… Get ready to hear stories, meet fellow enthusiasts, and explore the world of the legendary creature. Whether you're a believer or a skeptic, this jamboree is sure to be a blast. Don't miss out on this chance to immerse yourself in the world of Bigfoot!

By Paula Pyzik Scott

Ada is about to experience its first Ohio Bigfoot Jamboree. Local Criptids of the Corn podcasters and Bigfoot enthusiasts Justin England and Jay Wolber are hosting the event in Ada on Saturday, October 5.

The Jamboree will be held at Ada War Memorial Park, 401 N. Park Drive, from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. All VIP tickets for speakers are sold out, but a free, family-friendly festival is open to all. There will be Bigfoot calling contests, scavenger hunt, photo ops with Bigfoot, Best Dressed Monster contest, charity auction, some 30 vendors, meet and greets with Bigfoot experts, as well as music and food. All contests will have adult and child divisions.

At 6:00 p.m. a followup party will be held at Norada Lanes bowling alley, 1182 State Route 235.

England and Wolber are veterans of the Bigfoot event circuit and have mentors who are sponsoring and providing guidance on hosting the event. Their particular take on Bigfoot is a combination of science and magical thinking. England told the Icon, “If you take away the word ‘Bigfoot’ and just view it as an endangered species survey, it all makes sense.” He recounts a Bigfoot sighting when he was 16, that led to his interest and expertise in the topic. 

Why bring Bigfoot enthusiasts to Ada? Wolber notes, “We’ve been traveling around the past two years, going to events all over different states. There’s nothing in Northwest Ohio like this. We wanted to bring everything we’ve learned and the community we’ve developed for the people of our town to enjoy.”

They note that the biggest Bigfoot event is held in Hocking HIlls and has drawn some 65,000 attendees over a weekend. For this event, speakers are volunteering their time and have been provided hotel rooms. A 50-50 drawing will help raise funds for next year's event.

The organizers have sold Jamboree tickets to guests as far away as Australia and have presenters from across the country. Wolf Rock radio from Cleveland will be DJing the event.

How many folks will turn out for the event? England and Wolber wish they knew. From past experience, they suggest coming before noon for shopping. There will be vendors from as far away as Oregon and from Ada.

For more information on the Ohio Bigfoot Jamboree, visit www.cryptidsofthecorn.com/ and the event Facebook page.