By: Quayle McKay (mm018@marietta.edu)
Every September, as the sprawling hills and valleys of West Virginia see the first tinges of autumn, the quiet town of Point Pleasant comes alive. Hordes of oddity lovers from across the states and beyond travel to this small town to celebrate a beloved cryptid known as the Mothman.
The streets fill with music from live bands and bustling crowds of people dressed in anything from t-shirts to fur suits. Locals line the closed roads to hawk various Mothman-themed items like feathered headbands or cotton candy labeled ‘Moth Floss.’ The tourists are cohesively strange, united in a passion for this mysterious creature.
Although alleged sightings of cryptids can be found across the world, few gain as much fame as the Mothman. This humanoid beast (described by many separate witnesses as a dark, bird-like figure with glowing red eyes) was first said to be spotted in the late 1960s lurking around an abandoned World War II munitions plant and continued to be seen for many years after. The local legend has since then evolved into a frenzy, and the Mothman has taken on a status of infamy as a well-known cryptid.
During the Mothman Festival, visitors are encouraged to take their photo with the Mothman Statue, hike on the local trails, take hayride tours of locally notable areas, and visit the Mothman Museum. The museum is the only one of its kind in the world and features merchandise, evidence, artwork, and so much more. Point Pleasant also hosts a litany of guest speakers of paranormal fame, such as Russell Acord from the TV series Expedition Bigfoot. While the Mothman Festival only goes on for the third weekend of every September, the majority of Point Pleasant’s Mothman attractions stay open year-round.
Whether or not you believe in the bizarre legend, consider adding this city to your travel list. Point Pleasant is only an hour south of Marietta. The visit is sure to be unforgettable, and who knows? You might become one of the few who have seen the mysterious moth-like-creature and lived to tell the tale.
Edited by: Zachary Worstell (zdw001@marietta.edu)
