Beans Mamarini’s Pizza Shop reported running out of product because of the volume of festival traffic.
The First Nelsonville Bigfoot Festival
NBF 2026
A Look Back
October 2–4, 2026, the Historic Nelsonville Public Square became a gathering place for Bigfoot research, Appalachian storytelling, live music, makers, food, families, veterans, local businesses and a community willing to build something new.
Community & Economic Impact
What NBF 2026 Meant for Nelsonville
The first NBF was designed to bring people into downtown Nelsonville and give them reasons to stay, eat, shop, explore and return. Reports received from local businesses after the festival showed that visitor traffic translated into real activity on and around the Square.
Tina’s Oddities reported that Saturday night produced more sales than any other event the business had experienced on the Nelsonville Public Square.
Festival visitors moved through restaurants, shops, vendors and attractions across downtown, demonstrating the economic value of a destination event centered on the Public Square.
Business-performance statements above reflect reports shared with festival organizers following NBF 2026.
The Festival Story
Research, Community and a Little Bit of Squatch
Community Partners
Local organizations helped give the festival its community character, including Nelsonville VFW Post 3467.
Vendors & Makers
Artists, makers, food vendors and specialty businesses filled the Square with work rooted in creativity and Appalachian character.
Food & Festival Life
Food trucks and local eateries helped turn a festival visit into a full day downtown.
Family Fun
Free family activities, inflatables and kid-friendly attractions were central to the first festival.
Live Music & Entertainment
Music on the Square
From daytime acoustic sets to illuminated evening performances, the porch stage gave NBF a sound and setting that were unmistakably Nelsonville.
Photography carrying the ClayStarr Studios watermark is displayed with the original credit intact.
NBF 2026 Video
A few seconds from festival weekend
This short clip is part of the visual record of the inaugural festival and the atmosphere that filled downtown Nelsonville.
NBF 2026 was the beginning.
The first festival showed what can happen when Bigfoot, Appalachia, downtown Nelsonville and community participation meet on the Public Square. We are carrying those lessons forward.
Return to the Nelsonville Bigfoot Festival Website