Possible Big Foot sighting. Courtesy photo
VILLAGE OF JEMEZ SPRINGS News:
JEMEZ SPRINGS—A new event in Jemez Springs is sure to stir up some enthusiasm over Labor Day weekend – the first ever Big Foot Barbecue and Blues Fest, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2.
Area resident Felix Nuñez originated the event. He has been fascinated with the idea of the elusive Bigfoot creature, following several unexplainable sounds he’s heard and documented in the Jemez Mountains over the years.
“Although I don’t want to hang my hat on Bigfoot’s existence, I think there’s been a lot of fascinating audio and video clips that can only be described as ‘unexplainable’ but real to those who have had personal encounters,” Nuñez said. “Whether you believe in Bigfoot or not, this event is for everyone who wants to enjoy live music, the beautiful Jemez Valley and hear from one of New Mexico’s top Bigfoot experts.”
The event will feature guest speaker and Bigfoot researcher, author and UNM professor Dr. Christopher Dyer, who will discuss Bigfoot activity in New Mexico, Bigfoot behavior, and share evidence and photographs of Bigfoot tracks and sightings. Time will be given for questions and open discussion from eyewitnesses and skeptics.
Dr. Dyer will begin his presentation at noon, Sept. 2 in the Jemez Springs Conference Center in the Village Plaza. Beginning at 11 a.m., D.J. Julian Trujillo will spin popular music until noon and again at 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Fitzgerald Park in the Plaza. Live music begins noon to 1:30 p.m., by The Bluetones Band at 2:30 p.m., the Trainwreck Blues Band will play.
More than a dozen vendors selling handmade items along with wood carvers. Barbecue from Nomads BBQ and Marley’s BBQ will both be on sale as well as handcrafted brews from local breweries in the beer garden for those 21 and over. There is no fee for this first annual event. A big discount for the Bigfoot Fest will be honored at Laughing Lizard Inn, who is offering the second night at half price with a two night stay. Call Laughing Lizard Inn at 575.829.3018 for details.
In 2012, Animal Planet aired a series titled, “Finding Bigfoot,” which honed in on the Jemez Mountains and Valles Caldera, showing “video evidence” of a hairy, human like creature. The footage was originally shot by students who captured a thermal image of the creature in 2011 while doing a project. Reports of Bigfoot or Yeti sightings continue around the world. In fact, an apparent sighting of a large “bipedal animal covered in hair” was reported Aug. 8, 2017, in North Carolina, prompting police to ask residents not to shoot at it in case it was a person in a costume.
For more information about the Bigfoot Festival, contact Felix Nunez at Fnunez72@msn.com or 575.829.3540.