Look forward to sQuatch Fest, every January on the last Friday and Saturday of the month — a HUGE hit for Bigfoot fans and anyone else packed into two unforgettable days at the Cowlitz County Event Center. Enjoy presentations by renowned speakers and experts in the study of Sasquatch, a wide variety of vendors, and the chance to swap Bigfoot tales over a specialty craft ale. Plus, the popular Kids Cave returns for young explorers.
New this year: sQuatch Fest is teaming up with Galactic Fest!
The all-NEW Galactic Fest is going to be out of this world! This companion event explores aliens, space, and UFOs in a fun, family-friendly, all-ages setting. It’s the perfect addition to an already legendary weekend.
About sQuatch Fest
sQuatch Fest in Longview, WA is an annual celebration dedicated to all things Bigfoot. Held in the picturesque city of Longview, nestled in the lush greenery of Washington state, this festival brings together enthusiasts, researchers, and curious visitors alike to revel in the mystery of the legendary creature.
At sQuatch Fest, you can expect a range of activities and attractions designed to entertain and educate attendees about Bigfoot and its cultural significance. From expert speakers sharing their latest research findings to documentary screenings exploring sightings and encounters, there's plenty to satisfy both the curious and the dedicated Sasquatch enthusiast.
Of course, no festival would be complete without food and entertainment, and sQuatch Fest delivers on both fronts. Local vendors serve up delicious fare, ranging from classic festival favorites to Pacific Northwest specialties, while live music and performances keep the atmosphere lively in the beer and wine tent known as Brew Mountain.
Whether you're a skeptic, a true believer, or simply looking for a fun and quirky experience, sQuatch Fest in Longview, WA offers something for everyone. So, grab your camera, keep an eye out for footprints in the forest, and join in the hunt for Bigfoot at this one-of-a-kind festival. Who knows, you might just catch a glimpse of the elusive creature yourself
2026 sQuatch Fest + Galactic Fest Speakers
Thom Reed
Thom Reed is best known for his role in one of the most well-documented UFO encounters in U.S. history: the 1969 Berkshires UFO incident. As featured on Unsolved Mysteries and numerous other outlets, Reed’s firsthand experiences began in early childhood and culminated in a community-wide sighting that continues to generate national conversation.
A lifelong advocate for disclosure and accuracy in paranormal reporting, Thom has worked to preserve the historical integrity of the Berkshires incident, even establishing a memorial park to honor it. His dedication to truth, despite years of public scrutiny, has made him a respected figure in UFO circles and beyond.
At sQuatch Fest + Galactic Fest 2026, Thom will share personal stories, rare insights, and what it means to live in the shadow of the unexplained.
Kathy Strain
Kathy Strain is a seasoned archaeologist and anthropologist with over twenty years of professional experience, currently serving as the Forest Heritage Resource & Tribal Relations Program Manager for the Stanislaus National Forest. She has spent nearly as many years investigating Sasquatch phenomena, blending scientific training with on‑the‑ground encounters. squatchable.com
Her work in “Area X” led to an encounter in 2012 during an extended field stay with the North American Wood Ape Conservancy, where Kathy directly witnessed multiple Sasquatch—alongside unexplained sounds, glowing eyes, rock‑throws, and strange log‑like shapes that turned out not to be logs at all. squatchable.com
At sQuatch Fest + Galactic Fest 2026, Kathy will share her rare, firsthand observations from the forest, the crossroads of scientific discipline and frontier mystery, and what it truly means to study the unknown with both skepticism and wonder.
Tobe Johnson
Author, researcher, and documentary producer whose work delves into the mysterious world of Sasquatch and its deep connection to the paranormal. With over a decade of experience, Johnson has dedicated his life to investigating Bigfoot encounters that challenge conventional explanations—blending physical evidence with spiritual, metaphysical, and even cosmic implications.
He is the author of The Owl Moon Lab: A Paranormal Experiment, a book born from firsthand experiences, witness interviews, and on-site research in the Pacific Northwest. Johnson is also the co-producer of the acclaimed two-part documentary series A Flash of Beauty, which showcases personal accounts from Sasquatch witnesses and explores both the cryptozoological and supernatural sides of the phenomenon.
Through his Owl Moon Lab project, Johnson offers a fresh lens on Bigfoot—one that embraces mystery, consciousness, and the unexplained. His approach invites audiences to consider that Sasquatch may not just be an undiscovered primate, but a being that defies our normal understanding of nature and reality.
Clyde Lewis
Clyde Lewis is an American radio host, writer, and media personality best known for his long-running syndicated radio show Ground Zero, which focuses on paranormal topics, conspiracy theories, and fringe science. Born on February 22, 1964, in Murray, Utah, Lewis began his broadcasting career in the early 1980s and launched Ground Zero in 1995, gaining national attention during the Oklahoma City bombing coverage.
Over the years, he has built a reputation for exploring controversial and unconventional subjects. His work has appeared on television shows like Sightings and Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura, and he's contributed to publications such as UFO Magazine and Paranoia Magazine. He has also written several books and voiced characters in independent films, including a role in Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV.
Known for his deep interest in sci-fi, horror, and mythology, Lewis continues to be a prominent voice in alternative media. He currently broadcasts from Oregon and remains active in both radio and podcasting, with Ground Zero being recognized as one of the top streaming talk shows in recent years.
Cliff Barackman
Cliff has been doing bigfoot field research since 1994. His expeditions have taken him to 46 states and five continents in search of evidence supporting the existence of undiscovered hominoids worldwide.
As the evidence analyst on Animal Planet’s hit television show, Finding Bigfoot, Cliff has applied his skill and expertise to a variety of photographic, video, film, and sound evidence. He has appeared on many other television shows and documentaries as a bigfoot specialist and cryptozoologist.
Cliff is especially familiar with the footprint and handprint evidence for sasquatches, and he is the curator for one of the largest collections of cast evidence in the world. His collection includes impressions from North America, Asia, Australia, and Europe.
Cliff and his wife, Melissa own and curate the North American Bigfoot Center in Boring, Oregon which features the largest public collection of bigfoot evidence in the Pacific Northwest.
Besides his bigfoot interests, Cliff also is an accomplished guitarist. You can often find him quietly strumming on the porch of his rural property on the western slopes of Mount Hood, deep in the heart of sasquatch country.