Bigfoot

Bigfoot is one of the most famous if not the most famous scary monster of all time. The first sighting of this hairy ape-like creature was in 1811 when a trader spotted 14-inch long footprints in Canada with the last documented sighting occurring in Canada: HYPERLINK "http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2006/12/14/sasquatch.html?ref=rss"http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2006/12/14/sasquatch.html?ref=rss when a woman, again in Canada reported seeing a large sasquatch-like creature by the side of the road. When members of the community went to the site, they saw extra-large footprints and a sample of brown hair.

During the years in-between, there have been many alleged Bigfoot sightings in the United States and Canada with the Pacific Northwest the most popular U.S. region for the sightings. Self-declared as the capital of HYPERLINK "http://www.unmuseum.org/bigfoot.htm" http://www.unmuseum.org/bigfoot.htm, Willow Creek, California sports a giant carving of the creature, which resembles a monster Halloween mask with a body. Bigfoot is typically described as a hairy ape-like, in fact, monster creature standing seven to nine feet tall and weighing from 600 to 900 pounds.

In 1987, the film, Harry and the Hendersons was released with Harry, a sasquatch-like creature eventually becoming a member of the film's family. The film, starring John Lithgow was a mixture of drama and comedy and inspired the follow-up series by the same name.

Today, there are still researchers and investigators dedicated to the Bigfoot phenomena. There are elite professionals who, to this day still believe that Bigfoot, or Sasquatch as it is commonly known in Canada exists. To be sure, there are many who believe it to be a hoax and some attempting to perpetuate a hoax via false footprints have been caught. Though no carcass of a Sasquatch has ever been found, whether or not Bigfoot actually exists or existed remains a hot topic for debate today.

The Mothman Prophecies

While the bird-like creature Mothman hasn't been seen in Point Pleasant, West Virginia since just before the Silver Bridge collapsed in 1967 killing 46 people, visitors to this tiny hamlet can see the Mothman statue in Gunn park and visit the museum named for the giant creature. In addition, the annual Mothman festival is held each September in Point Pleasant. As a matter of fact, monster junkies look forward to this each year.

More than 40 years have passed since the first Mothman sightings in November of 1966 and many who either witnessed the sightings themselves or had ties to the community are still unsettled. To others, the Mothman phenomenon is pure entertainment and inspiration for monster Halloween costumes.

John Keel, a parapsychologist and journalist, traveled to Point Pleasant in December of 1966 to investigate the strange sightings. His book, Mothman Prophesies, HYPERLINK "http://www.amazon.com/Mothman-Prophecies-John-A-Keel/dp/0765341972" http://www.amazon.com/Mothman-Prophecies-John-A-Keel/dp/0765341972 was published in 1976 and a HYPERLINK "movie" movie: HYPERLINK "http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0265349/" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0265349/ by the same name and based on the book was released in 2002. The book was re-released in 2002 as well. Richard Gere starred in the movie and played the part of Keel.

As with any strange phenomena, there are many differing opinions about Mothman, whom a reporter named after a character in the 60's television show Batman. Those who witnessed the strange sightings along with John Keel stand by their story and believe the red-eyed scary monster to be genuine. Others believe it to be a hoax or a figment of overworked imaginations. Some believe Mothman was actually a crane and others believe it was an owl. Still others believe there was a government cover-up as Mothman was rumored to hail from a toxic waste sight.

The Mothman Death List HYPERLINK "http://www.lorencoleman.com/mothman_death_list.html" http://www.lorencoleman.com/mothman_death_list.html lists the names of the victims of the Silver Bridge collapse including the two that were never found. In addition, the names of those with any ties to the Mothman phenomena who have since passed away are included on this list.

Unsolved Mysteries, HYPERLINK "http://www.unsolved.com/0221-Mothman.html" http://www.unsolved.com/0221-Mothman.html the show hosted by the late Robert Stack broadcast a segment on Mothman in 2002 which coincided with the movie's release and the launch of the Mothman Festival in Point Pleasant, West Virginia.

Yeti (Abominable Snowman)

Although there are some experts who are convinced of the existence of the Abominable Snowman, by and large the existence of this hairy ape-like scary monster allegedly spotted in the Himalayas, is thought to be nothing but folklore. As with the Sasquatch, the only "evidence" has been the huge footprints and unsubstantiated sightings.

Also known As Yeti, the Abominable Snowman has made several appearances in movies, games and other theme venues. Originally released in the UK and later in the United States and other parts of the world, The Abominable Snowman was a 1957 British horror film based on the hairy creature.

Today, there are several theme Abominable Snowman venues. For example, Disney's magical kingdom features the Expedition Everest: HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expedition_Everest" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expedition_Everest roller coaster which both frightens and delights visitors as a large Yeti style hand barely misses visitors at the end of the ride, a fact monster fans can't get enough of.

Video game manufacturers have cashed in during recent years when bringing this and other monsters back to the front pages. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twilight_Princess" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twilight_Princess was released in December 2006 and features two Yetis.

Whether fact or fiction, monster stories spanning hundreds of years still inspire modern entertainment in the form of books, movies, games, festivals, museums and various monster Halloween celebrations.