As most probably know and most others can tell — my 2016 Jeep JK Wrangler has a Sasquatch/Bigfoot theme. I always name my vehicles when I buy them and this one was no different. It’s a theme I came up with thinking, “what better vehicle than a Jeep is there  to get oneself deeper into the woods and forests to find a Bigfoot?”

And just to qualm any readers’ minds who see this story and think, “Bill has lost his mind” — the theme of the vehicle is the only thing I’m serious about. The rest is all tongue-in-cheek fun.

I admit I grew up with a fascination for the ape-like being. After seeing a documentary at a young age I  thought to myself “I’d like to be the one who finds one.”

Mostly, my Jeep’s theme is to give people something to chuckle about and give my Jeep an identity all its own. I’ve taken “Sassy” to events all over Minnesota and get quite a few comments from Sasquatch enthusiasts and even skeptics.

This past weekend, my wife, Terri and a great friend, Jeff, embarked on a camping weekend to Remer — a city that lays claim to being “Home of Bigfoot.”

Remer holds their annual “Bigfoot Days” celebration Friday and Saturday with activities and programs jam-packed into a day-and-a-half.

Our hosts were the owners of the Remer Motel & Campground, Steve and Erica Williams and we (Jeff and I) got to park our Jeeps with our rooftop tents right outside the front door. The Williamses were so gracious and kind and really liked having these flashy Jeeps showcasing Bigfoot Days. We thank them for their courteous generosity. Their motel is an absolute gem!

After unloading our goods and setting up our tents, I propped my Sasquatch “dummy” in the front seat of the Jeep so he’d hang out the window to greet all guests. Some people clamored to get close and pose for photos while some little ones found the rubber creature all too real and avoided drawing near.

Friday, Bigfoot Days featured live music, Bigfoot storytelling, and Bigfoot Olympics.

Saturday, the day started with a Bigfoot 5K Run/Walk, a pancake breakfast, a kids petting zoo,  scavenger hunts, kids games, three-on-three basketball and Bigfoot Bingo.

The event also featured a BBQ contest and kids gathered to do their best Bigfoot contest calling.

Up and down the blocks, a flea market was held along the main road and there were plenty of food trucks — including the “Gess What’s Cookin’” truck, owned by David and Joy Gess of Big Lake.

We ran into Karen O’Neil, formerly of Zimmerman, who was manning a table along the sidewalk, selling pins with Bigfoot on them. She told us she  moved to Remer three years ago and got married to a man named Patrick. And wouldn’t you know it, their wedding was Bigfoot-themed.

“It’s about community, so why not make your wedding work for the community,” Karen said.

The wedding got so much publicity, a camera crew from Animal Planet arrived in Remer to film the event and talk to area residents about their Bigfoot.

“This area is Squatchy,” said Animal Planet’s Finding Bigfoot Cast Member Cliff Barackman. “It’s super Squatchy!”

Back at camp, we relaxed, watched the kids play  games and inquired at the MN. B.R.T. (Minnesota Bigfoot Research Team) booth about Bigfoot. They had casts of big feet, a misshapened skull and lots of brochures and pamphlets about their organizations. We also heard they were taking a half-a-dozen or so people out into the woods of Remer to see or hear a Bigfoot.

We sampled some of the foods at the trucks, visited the flea markets and bought tons of Sasquatch merchandise from the local Bigfoot Gas & Gifts store. 

Bigfoot is real in many people’s minds and as far as I’m concerned, it’s all innocuous fun. I’m all for it. It’s a harmless faith in the unknown and brings people, families and communities together. 

Now, what’s so wrong with that?

Squatch on!