Harold Benny

• Background: Zoology/Botany (BS), Zoology (MS), former biology teacher + analytical chemist

• Focus: Nature-based perspective on Sasquatch & the Big Muddy Monster

• Connection: Visiting Murphysboro sightings area since 2003

Kevin Lee Nelson

• Profession: Author, researcher, lecturer

• Notable Work:The Big Muddy Monster, The Van Meter Visitor, Wendigo Lore

• Focus: American folklore, paranormal research, esotericism, symbolic interpretation of “high strangeness”

• Media: Discovery Channel, ABC paranormal programming

• Affiliation: Co-founder of Back Roads Lore

Chad Lewis

• Background: Master’s in Psychology

• Profession: Researcher, author (25+ books), global lecturer

• Focus: Worldwide paranormal phenomena, cryptids, UFOs, hauntings

• Fieldwork: Investigations spanning Bigfoot, Mothman, Wendigo, UFO crashes, and more

Featured Screening (Not a Speaker)

Joseph Tury

• Profession: Independent documentary filmmaker

• Focus: Illinois legends, folklore, and paranormal history

• Featured Film:Creature from Big Muddy

• Note: Documentary will be shown at the festival (Joe will not be speaking)

Christian Baril

• Background: Murphysboro native, attorney in Carbondale

• Connection: Grew up near original Big Muddy Monster sighting locations

• Focus: Local perspective + firsthand regional context

Mike Scott

• Profession: Educator, researcher, author, content creator

• Platform:Understanding Bigfoot (YouTube), Bigfoot Outlaw Network

• Focus: Field research, firsthand Sasquatch encounters, investigative theory

• Notable: Contributor to Sasquatch America

• Appearance: June 20

The Sqwatchers

• Founded By: Jim Peters & Joe Jenkins (2015)

• Focus: Bigfoot field research in the Shawnee National Forest

• Work: Audio/visual evidence collection, podcast features, conference presentations

• Mission: Prove Sasquatch presence in the Midwest

Bryce Edwards

• Background: Southern Illinois native, father of four

• Focus: Firsthand Bigfoot encounters (Pond Creek Monster)

• Media: Podcast guest (Bigfoot Society, The Holosky Podcast)

• Project: Co-creator of The Pond Creek Monster: Bigfoot & High Strangeness documentary

Additional Featured Documentary

The Pond Creek Monster: Bigfoot & High Strangeness

• Focus: Investigation of recurring encounters on a Southern Illinois farm

• Themes: Bigfoot, unexplained phenomena, “high strangeness”

• Tone: Investigative, atmospheric, and unresolved