CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — 2024 is only just beginning, and that means West Virginia has a full year’s worth of monster and cryptid festivals to look forward to. Popular events like the Mothman and Bigfoot festival will be returning once again, but this year West Virginians will see some new festivals looking to break into the scene.
These events often attract thousands of visitors, some from clear across the country. If you plan on staying in the area be sure to make any reservations as soon as possible.
Grafton Monster Festival
- When: June 15 at 10 a.m. to June 16 at 5 p.m.
- Where: Outside the Black Cat Rookery Book Store
The Grafton Monster Festival is one of West Virginia’s two new cryptid festivals coming in 2024. The festival is being hosted by the Black Cat Rookery Book Store, which will also be holding the grand opening for its Grafton Monster museum which can be found inside the store.
West Virginia Bigfoot Festival
- When: June 27 at 5 p.m. to June 29 at 8 p.m.
- Where: Holly-Gray Park in Sutton, W.Va.
The West Virginia Bigfoot Festival will be returning for its fourth year at a new location and with an extra day of festivities. According to the Facebook page for the event, the event will feature vendors, live music, food trucks, guest speakers, workshops and more. 2023’s festival also featured a bigfoot calling contest!
Veggie Man Day
- When: July 13 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Where: Frank & Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center in Fairmont, W.Va.
The Vegetable Man of Marion County is one of West Virginia’s lesser-known monster tales that first appeared in the Gray Barker newsletter in 1976. Veggie Man Day will also be making its debut in 2024 and is being organized by the West Virginia-based “Mothboys” paranormal podcast and ConjureDust Designs, an Ohio artist known for their cryptid and monster artwork.
You can learn more about the legend of the Vegetable Man here.
Lurch Fest
- When: Aug. 3
- Where: Museum Street, Philippi, W.Va.
Lurch Fest is a celebration of Lurch actor Ted Cassidy, who grew up in Philippi. Although there are not many details on Lurch Fest 2024 quite yet, the event always has plenty of fun vendors and food trucks. You can also stop in at the Philippi Museum and check out the Lurch statue. 2023’s festival was also attended by Ted Cassidy’s son Sean and the creators of the Lurch statue.
Mothman Festival
- When: Sept. 21 and 22
- Where: Main Street in Point Pleasant, W.Va.
The Mothman Festival is West Virginia’s largest and most well-known cryptid festival and consistently attracts thousands of visitors from across the country. The festival always has plenty to do, like visit the one and only Mothman Museum or take a picture with the Mothman statue. 2024 will also be offering bus tours of nearby TNT ammo bunkers; early registration is required.
