The Blue; Zipline and Farm is Proud to host The Ouachita Bigfoot Festival and Conference, September 22 & 23, with concert featuring The Leif Shively Band with opening act Almost Guilty .

The 2023 Ouachita Bigfoot Festival and Conference is a two-day event located just outside of Mena, Arkansas, in the beautiful Ouachita Mountains.

This two-day festival will have live music, pedal boats, numerous vendors, flea market, food, bounce house, games, activities, door prizes, fishing derby, and a conference with open discussion topics hosted by previous conference speakers, plus a Saturday night concert featuring The Leif Shively Band with opener Almost Guilty.
This year is our first Bigfoot Costume Contest for Pets. Dogs, cats, lizards, chickens, goats, pigs… as long as they are under 200 pounds, they are welcome. Dress your pet as Bigfoot or enter your pet in the traditional costume contest (non-bigfoot). $2 entry fee. Win some great prizes from our local pet product and service retailers. To benefit The Humane Society of the Ouachitas. HSO will also be onsite to answer questions any questions about the pet adoption process and any pets that are currently available for adoption.

We are super excited about the reptile and amphibian exibit this year. Boas, pythons, turtles, toads, salamanders, etc. Presented by biologist, Dan Nedrelo.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will be onsite with their large aquarium full of Arkansas native fish.

Friday, September 22nd, starting at 1pm to 4pm, our conference will consist a different discussion topic each hour. Saturday, September 23 rd, 11am – 1pm, and 2 – 4pm. Feel free to ask questions, bring photos, and share your own experiences. Discussions led by field researchers Dan Nedrelo and Eudell Head and others. Topic schedule to be posted as the date nears.

Night-time small group squatchin, AKA mini expeditions, will take place each night. This will be in an area that has had ongoing activity for numerous years. This activity is open to those who are ages 15 and up. We will be limiting the total number of participants to forty (40) each night. Those who wish to participate must sign the participant sheet for that night’s hunt, which will be available at the info tent at the beginning of each festival day. Once the sheet reaches 40 names, we will then take additional names that will be used to fill any no-show slots. Small group squatchin’ begins Friday night at 9pm and Saturday night at 10:30pm.

Our Saturday night concert headliner this year is The Leif Shivley Band. The Leif Shively Band brings a fresh take to country/southern rock with high energy and and a special kind of soul. Our songs are the stories of our lives. With lead vocalist: Leif Shively, lead guitarist: Kyle Roop, keys: Ethan “Slimmy” Spillers, bass: Eric Shively, drummer: Jackie Brock, and rhythm guitarist: Gavin Hodges they bring an electrifying performance to the stage inspired by legendary acts such as Led Zeppelin and Lynyrd Skynard while still keeping the spirit of their country roots. Now with the recent release of their debut EP, which features everything from country ballads to classic rock songs, they are ready to hit the stage with songs that move the soul and are a hell of a good time. Check them out at
https://www.leifshivelyband.com/

Friday – Admission $2, children ages 4 and under admitted free.
Gates Open at 12pm (noon)
All vendors open at 12pm
Bounce House – 12noon – 6pm
Karaoke from 1 – 5pm
Bigfoot Topic Discussions 1 – 4pm
Pedal Boats 1 – 5pm
Children’s Games 3 – 5:30pm
Campfire Stories 6 – 8pm
Small Group Squatchin’ 9 – 12pm

Admission to the Saturday night Concert @ Bull Pasture Amphitheater (our amphitheater next to the festival grounds) is $15 at the amphitheater gate or purchase for $10 in advance, online or by phone. Children ages 5-14 $8, Children 4 and under are admitted free. Tickets on sale now. Advance purchase includes camping, concert admission, and entry to both days of the festival.

Saturday – Admission $2, children ages 4 and under admitted free. Does Not include admission to Saturday night’s concert, nor camping.
Gates Open at 10am.
All vendors open at 10am.
Bounce House 10am – 6pm
Fishing Derby, Ages 4 to 12, at Big Pond 10:30am – 1pm\
Bigfoot Conference and Topic Discussions 11-1pm, 2-4pm
Live Music 11am-1pm, 2-5pm
Children’s Games 12-2pm and 3-4pm.
Pedal Boats –  1 – 4pm
Scavenger Hunt  – 1pm
Pet Costume Contests (Bigfoot and Traditional costumes) 1pm
Best Bigfoot Costume 2pm
Baby Crawling Contest 2:30pm
Boulder Throw Contest 4pm
Hairiest Man Contest 5pm
Concert with The Leif Shivley Band and Almost Guilty – 6pm
Small Group Squatchin’ 10:30pm – 12:30am.     

And lots more…

Camping is available for this festival, and is included with the $10 advance concert ticket and includes admission to both days of the festival. Purchase online or by phone. Only advance ticket holders are allowed in the campground.
Water, electric, and sewage is NOT available for campsites. This is dry camping only. RVs and tents are welcome. Check-In for camping is 9am to 3pm both Friday and Saturday. RVs must be self-contained. Call 479-216-8639 to reserve or book online.

12×12 Vendor Outdoor booth spaces available for festival. $25 for commercial, arts & crafts, gun & knife, flea market, antiques, and non-profit.  All vendors must follow Arkansas festival laws and regulations.

For more info call The Blue; Zipline & Farm at 479-216-8639

Proceeds to benefit our School Lunch Fund which benefits school children in Polk County whose families are suffering a financial hardship. No child should go hungry.

Service dogs welcome. Pets welcome. Must be leashed and under control at all times. Dogs showing aggressive behavior, including growling and incessant barking, will not be allowed.

Ouachita (pronounced Washitah)