GWINN — Tune up your banjos and keep your eyes peeled during the second half of the Bigfoot and Bluegrass Festival taking place today.

The event, hosted by Forsyth Forward, is the first of its kind to be hosted in the Upper Peninsula. The festival includes environmentalism, live music, vendors and a visit from Bigfoot himself.

The first night of the festival took place on Friday, which included a fundraiser for the family of Jack Gauthier, a young man who tragically passed away in a drowning accident earlier this summer. All proceeds from that night went directly to support his family with related expenses.

Friday night attendees also experienced a live performance from musician Gabe Bailey, an Indiana-based artist and fan-favorite during the Big Three Concert each summer, as well as the reading of Bigfoot poetry from local poet Marty Achatz, author of the collection “A Bigfoot Bestiary and Other Wonders.”

“This is the first annual Bigfoot and Bluegrass Festival in the whole entire Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This idea stemmed from a conversation with Travel Marquette (about) really bringing tourism to our area in a shoulder season when kids are back in school and we see a lull in tourism traffic,” said Alan Cook, the Executive Director of Forsyth Forward. “We thought this would be the perfect place to do it, here in Gwinn. The park is beautiful. We do believe we have a Bigfoot in the woods here … we like to call him Red Plaid Chad.”

The last day of the festival will take place today, and include a wide variety of activities and vendors, including educational opportunities about topics like Leave No Trace outdoor ethics, food and craft vendors and a sneak peak of the 2025 Fresh Coast Film Festival, among many others. The Bigfoot Stomp 5K run and walk will also take place at 10 a.m. today, with registration starting at 9 a.m.

Bluegrass bands including Coldsprings from Chatham and the Gentlemen Grifters and the Wicksnippers, both from Wisconsin, will perform today. The local VFW beer tent will also be open, raising funds for the Gwinn post. You may also get a chance to spot Bigfoot while you’re at the festival, so make sure to keep an eye out for Gwinn’s very own Red Plaid Chad.

Forsyth Forward is a newer organization, and Cook took the time to explain what their mission is and how they aim to help the Forsyth Township community, which includes the Bigfoot and Bluegrass Festival.

“We’re a hybrid organization. We’re a 501(c)3 nonprofit. We’re a cross between a Chamber of Commerce, (an) Economic Development Office and a Convention Visitors Bureau,” Cook said. “We’re taking and cherry-picking the best of those qualities from each (and) smashing them into one organization (that) we call Forsyth Forward. The goal is to improve the quality of life for every citizen within our township, and we do that through a variety of ways. One of the ways we do it is by putting on signature events like this Bigfoot and Bluegrass Festival.”

Cook says that if folks are interested in volunteering or getting involved with Forsyth Forward, he invites anyone and everyone to volunteer with events the organization hosts and learn more about what they have going on.

More information about Forsyth Forward can be found on their website at forsythforward.org.

The festival grounds open at noon and will have activities going all day until 11 p.m., and it will take place at Peter Nordeen Park, which is located at 115 North Pine Street.

Abby LaForest can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 548. Her email address is alaforest@miningjournal.net.