2nd Annual Big Muddy Monster Festival • June 22, 2024

51st Year Anniversary of the Legendary Sightings

Saturday June 22, 2024 • Murphysboro, IL

Festival Hours: 10 AM - 5 PM

Davis-McCann Center located at 15 N 14th Street

  • $35
  • 9:00AM CDT - 11:00AM CDT
  • Registration ends June 22, 2023 at 10:00am CDT

Place

1701 Walnut St., Murphysboro, IL US 62966

Description

Help us celebrate the Anniversary of the Big Muddy Monster in downtown Murphysboro, IL ! Pre-registration by June 6th to guarantee a t-shirt ! Online registration is open till the morning of the race on June 22nd. Packet pick up at the Old Depot building 1701 Walnut St. near start line in Murphysboro at 8am the day of the race. 9:00am Run/Walk begins. All proceeds benefit the Old Depot Restoration project to renovate as a community welcome center!

Register
big muddy monster 5k

Check Back
More Information Coming soon!

illustration by dan brown
illustration by wade moore
illustration by monte baldwin
illustration by david clark
illustration by matthew miller
illustration by matt speroni
illustration by jon tyler booker
Illustration by joe dodd

Hometown Marketing Group, Inc. ©2024. All Rights Reserved

Events & Giveaways

2024 Muddy Monster Festival Prints

2024 Muddy Monster Festival Prints

Muddy Promotional prints for the 2024 Big Muddy Monster Festival are available only at Muddy Monster Comics for $5.00.

2024 Muddy Monster Festival Prints

The 2024 Big Muddy Monster Festival prints are now on sale at Muddy Monster Comics!

These are 14”x22” hand silk screened prints, limited to 100 editions, and personally signed and numbered by artist Tony Phillippe.

NEW BILLBOARD UNVEIL

Next to the Big Muddy Monster Statue – 11 am

— Join the festivities as the town’s newest Billboard is unveiled next to the Big Muddy Monster statue.  The Big Muddy Monster is featured in the design.

Guest Speaker Presentations

at the Liberty Theater, downtown Murphysboro

Speaker Schedule

  • 12:00pm Christian Baril survivor of the Big Muddy Monster Sighting in 1973

  • 12:30 David Eller, renowned Bigfoot researcher shares his discoveries and recounts numerous sightings of the elusive creature in our area.

  • 1:00 Joe Jenkins and Jim Peters

    • After a transformative camping trip, friends Jim Peters and Joe Jenkins delved deep into unraveling the mysteries of that night. Now, eight years later, armed with over 100 unique recordings from countless hours in Shawnee National Forest, they’ve amassed evidence including footprints, structures, and compelling personal photos of what they believe to be Bigfoot. Their research extends to others’ encounters, with a focus on Saline and Hardin County, as they compile and map stories. Their aim? To share their journey with fellow enthusiasts.

  • 1:30 Harold Benny, BS In Zoology/Botany And An MS In Zoology Concentrating In Cytology/Histology

  • 2:00 Southern Illinois Monster Hunters Present Info About The Big Muddy Monster & Other Strange And Mysterious Southern, Illinois Creatures

  • 2:30 Kevin Nelson, Founding Member Of Back Roads Lore and

  • 3:00 Joe Tury and an Introduction to the film “Creature from Big Muddy”

  • 4:00 Questions and Answers

at the Liberty Theater, downtown Murphysboro

Local Sightseeing

“Creature From Big Muddy” Screenings

at the Liberty Theater, Downtown Murphysboro  3pm

Located inside the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 120 Muddy Monster Rd – Murphysboro

The lobby has the wooden Chainsaw Sculpture by Josh Hays of the Big Muddy Monster carving waiting for you

Official Big Muddy Monster statue
Official Big Muddy Monster Statue next to Billboard

At McDonald’s, you’ll find the official Big Muddy Monster statue proudly displayed in their outdoor area! Feel free to climb the steps and snap as many photos as you’d like—selfies are a must!

Photo courtesy of WSILtv.com & Joe Rehana Article 

Welcome to Murphysboro mural

Christine DeShazo (shown) painted the Welcome to Murphysboro mural as part of the Revitalize62966 project

The Big Muddy Monster

Chainsaw Sculpture by Josh Hays

Located inside the Holiday Inn Express & Suites

120 Muddy Monster Rd 

Murphysboro IL 62966

Screenings

Movie Screenings to be held at

The Historic Liberty Theater

1333 Walnut Street

Murphysboro, IL 62966

Starting at 3pm

Family Activities

Coloring Pages

Come into Muddy Monster Comics and pick up your official Big Muddy Monster Coloring Page! Color it your own monstrous way and bring it back to the store so we can display them all at Big Muddy Monster Festival 2023!

Face Painting

Face painting and glitter tattoos done by Kitty Moon Artistry.

Kitty Moon Artistry

Frisbee and Disc Golf Course

Frisbee and Disc Golf Course
Looking for a unique activity? Take a trip to Riverside Park and enjoy a round of frisbee or disc golf on the Big Muddy Monster course!

Baby Goats Petting Zoo

BABY GOATS PETTING ZOO Smysor Plaza – 11am–3pm (sponsored by Clearwave Fiber)

Rent A Kid Goat Party Service
BABY GOATS PETTING ZOO

Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger Hunt
The Sallie Logan Library will have a scavenger hunt inside the library to see how many Big Muddy Monsters you can find! This will be ongoing all day.

Festival Vendors

Oller's Oddities-art of the strange and weird

oller's oddities

Ripley's 3D-Print It or Not

Ripley's 3D-Print It or Not

We’re a close-knit family that delights in crafting beautiful arts and crafts for others. Our journey into 3D printing began as a means to bond with our boys and make the most of our time together. What started as a hobby has blossomed into an enjoyable family enterprise, all from the comfort of our home. Each of us plays a role in delivering our best work to you, infused with love and thoughtful attention to detail. We sincerely hope you relish our creations and join us in this wonderful journey.

Cryptid Comforts

Cryptid Comforts

Cryptid Comforts specializes in crafting items inspired by cryptozoology! Our collection includes handmade stuffed toys and a variety of other unique creations.

Childs Laser Art

We offer wood engraving and sublimation services for a wide range of products including signs, cups, keychains, door hangers, ornaments, and more. If you can imagine it, we can create it! Our pride lies in our ability to custom fabricate to your exact specifications. If you’ve seen a laser engraved wood project that caught your eye, just let us know, and we’ll do our utmost to replicate it to perfection.

Savage Sideshow Studios

Savage Sideshow Studios

Savage Sideshow Studios has dedicated themselves to instilling fear through their extraordinary and eerie custom projects. They play a significant role in providing props for the haunted house industry in Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois.

Just Poking Around SI

Just Poking Around SI

We specialize in crafting locally built, handcrafted, stainless steel fire pit pokers that are heavy-duty and designed to endure for a lifetime. With no maintenance required, these custom creations are built to last.

Meet the author of the book THOMAS HENDERSON

Meet the author of the book THOMAS HENDERSON

Thomas Henderson guides you on his exploration into the Bigfoot phenomenon, recounting tales from individuals across the globe in this book. These brave individuals share their personal encounters with Bigfoot and how they embrace the reality of their experiences.

The Brit Chick

The Brit Chick presents an excellent variety of personalized art prints and beyond.

Madhatter Toys

Madhatter Toys

Bigfootcasts.com

Bigfootcasts.com

Explore our selection of Bigfoot casts for sale! These casts feature tracks from the legendary cryptozoological superstar, Bigfoot. Alongside these, we also provide replica footprints and other collectibles celebrating the enigmatic creature.

Big Muddy Apparel Co.

Big Muddy Apparel Co.

Boss Hog Farms

Boss Hog Farms

Boss Hog Farms is a family-owned business based in Southern Illinois, dedicated to crafting high-quality handmade arts, crafts, jewelry, plants, and more.

Festival Vendors

Murphysboro Pelzer’s Tropical Sno

Murphysboro Pelzer’s Tropical Sno

Tater Headz Fry Co.

Creekpaums Concessions

Creekpaums Concessions

Taqueria Jimenez

Winston's Bagels by B-Rad

Winston's Bagels by B-Rad

Official Drink of Muddy Monster Comics

Live Music

The Big Muddy Monster Festival is thrilled to announce that it will feature live music this year! The music kicks off at 10 AM and will continue until the festival wraps up at 5 PM. All performances will take place on the outdoor stage at Brews Brothers Taproom. Check out the lineup:
Get ready for an epic start to The Big Muddy Monster Festival weekend at Brews Brothers Taproom on Friday, June 21, from 7 pm to 9 pm! Enjoy live rock hits and favorites performed by Zoomer & The Boomers.

10 AM: Shaad & Thomas

Noon: Ivas John Band

3 PM: Swamp Tigers

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join us for a fantastic blend of rock and blues, showcasing some of Southern Illinois’ finest talents!

Zoomer & The Boomers

Shaad and Thomas

Shaad and Thomas

Ivas John Band

Ivas John Band

Swamp Tigers

Swamp tigers
Top
Our Sponsors
Features
Events & Giveaways
Guest Speaker Presentations
Local Muddy Monster Landmarks
“Creature from Big Muddy” Screenings
Family Activities
Festival Vendors
Food Trucks
Live Music
Big Muddy Monster 5K Run/Walk
More
Facebook
Donate
Skip to content