Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

WiLD Bunch Mornings

The Great Florida Bigfoot Conference Is Stomping Into Central Florida

Author Marija
(Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

The Great Florida Bigfoot Conference is stomping into Central Florida this spring.

Florida is known for sunny beaches, warm weather and theme parks. But there is a darker and more mysterious side to the state as well. For decades, people have reported sightings of a creature known as the Skunk Ape, a cousin of Bigfoot, that is said to roam the swamps and forests of Florida.

Reports of the Skunk Ape were particularly common in the 1950s and 1970s. The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization has archived hundreds of alleged sightings across almost every county of Florida going back to 1955. One of the most famous encounters was in the 1970s. Two Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputies reported that an ape-like creature stalked them through a grove before they shot at it. They followed a trail of footprints that led them to a pushed down fence with hair snagged in it. Despite several witnesses, no body or evidence was found.

Have there been any sightings in Florida recently?

Sightings continue to this day. Forty-eight out of the sixty-seven counties in Florida have reported sightings since 2010. One of the more recent sightings was in 1997. A photograph of a dark upright figure in the swamp was taken by the Ochopee Fire Control District Chief. Within two weeks, over fifty people reported alleged sightings of a hairy creature within the Big Cypress National Preserve.

Whether the Skunk Ape truly exists or not remains a mystery.

On April 22nd, Bigfoot enthusiasts will converge on the Ocala’s World Equestrian Center. This Bigfoot (and Skunk Ape!) celebration and research project is returning to Central Florida for a third year. There will be lineup of special guests that include Bigfoot researchers, investigators and authors talking about their experiences with this elusive creature. Also at the conference, a Skunk Ape roundtable, pictures with Bigfoot and the Skunk Ape and vendors.

You can find more tickets and more information on The Great Florida Bigfoot Conference in Central Florida here

 

Florida Cities Make List Of Best In America For A Staycation

We’re pretty lucky to live in a place where others come on vacation and some Florida cities have made a list of the best in America for a staycation.

In recent years, the trend of staycations has been on the rise. It’s a great way to relax and recharge without the hassle of traveling. And as prices keep going up, staycations offer affordable ways to take a break from the stress of everyday life.

Staycations are also much more convenient than traditional vacations. Especially with little kids or a bunch of kids, you won’t have to worry about packing and impatience at the airport. Or in the instance of Home Alone, leaving one behind. You can enjoy your vacation at your own pace, without feeling rushed. And, of course, if you don’t go far, you’ll have the comfort of your own home to return to.

If you’re looking for ways to make your staycation feel like a real vacation, consider staying at a hotel or renting a vacation home. Then you’ll have the excitement of a new environment, while still enjoying the comfort of a familiar location. You can also try new restaurants and cafes, visit tourist attractions, or explore local parks and trails.

Travel Lens looked at the most popular tourist destinations in America and used five factors to put together a list of the best cities for a staycation. Things they considered included cost, warm temperatures, safety and locations with the most restaurants and the most attractions. There’s plenty around the country, but if you want to stay in the Sunshine State, four Florida cities made the list of the best in America for a staycation.

Best Cities in America for a Staycation:

  • 40. Detroit, MI

    MLB Opening Day postponed Due To Coronavirus

    (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

  • 39. New York City

    New York City Prepares To Mark The 15th Anniversary Of 9/11 Attacks

    (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

  • 38. Nashville, TN

    Major Cities In The U.S. Adjust To Restrictive Coronavirus Measures

    (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

  • 37. Boston, MA

    U.S. Coast Guard Escorts "Old Iron Sides"

    (Photo by PA3 Kelly Newlin/U.S. Coast Guard via Getty Images)

  • 36. Chicago, IL

    Chicago Sees First Snow Fall Of Season

    (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

  • 35. Washington D.C.

    U.S. Capitol In Washington

    (Photo by Stefan Zaklin/Getty Images)

  • 34. Denver, CO

    Denver Prepares To Host The Democratic National Convention

    (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

  • 33. Philadelphia, PA

    Championship Series - San Diego Padres v Philadelphia Phillies - Game Five

    (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

  • 32. Big Island, HI

    IRONMAN World Championship

    (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

  • 31. Santa Fe, NM

    Scenic New Mexico

    (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images for Lumix)

  • 30. Minneapolis, MN

    Mall of America

    (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Liaison)

  • 29. Aspen, CO

    Winter X Games

    (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

  • 28. Louisville, KY

    147th Kentucky Derby

    (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

  • 27. Houston, TX

    Houston Gears Up For Major League Baseball All-Star Game

    (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

  • 26. Austin, TX

    Coronavirus Pandemic Causes Climate Of Anxiety And Changing Routines In America

    (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

  • 25. Kansas City, MO

    Kansas City Royals Parade Celebration

    (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

  • 24. Los Angeles, CA

    29TH OCT 93: A GENERAL VIEW OF THE FAMOUS HOLLYWOOD SIGN IN LOS ANGELES. L.A. IS ONE OF THE SITES F

  • 23. San Diego, CA

    General view of downtown San Diego

    (Photo by Ken Levine /Getty Images)

  • 22. Phoenix, AZ

    Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Can-Am 500

    (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

  • 21. Las Vegas, NV

    Las Vegas Casinos Close Their Doors In Response To Coronavirus Pandemic

    (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • 20. Seattle, WA

    SEATTLE SKYLINE

    (Photo by Dan Callister/Newsmakers)

  • 19. New Orleans, LA

    New Orleans Lets The Good Times Roll At Mardi Gras Celebration

    (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

  • 18. Atlanta, GA

    New York Mets v Atlanta Braves

    (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

  • 17. Savannah, GA

    20th Anniversary SCAD Savannah Film Festival - Kyra Sedgewick Spotlight Award Presentation

    (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SCAD)

  • 16. Outer Banks, NC

    Tropical Storm Arthur Threatens North Carolina's Outer Banks

    (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

  • 15. Portland, OR

    Temperatures Soar As Heatwave Stretches Across The Nation

    (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

  • 14. Kauai, HI

    PGA Grand Slam of Golf

    (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

  • 13. Lake Tahoe, CA

    Travel Destination: Western USA

    (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

  • 12. San Francisco, CA

    San Francisco Will Study Golden Gate Tidal Movement As Energy Source

    (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

  • 11. Sedona, AZ

    Olympic Track Athlete Hassan Mead Portrait Session

    (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

  • 10. Cape Cod, MA

    Massachusetts Beaches Reopen For Memorial Day

    (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

  • 9. Stanley, ID

    Heat Wave Continues Across U.S.

    (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

  • 8. Charleston, SC

    Pleas Grow In West Virginia's Capitol Calling For The Removal Of Stonewall Jackson Monument

    (Photo by Ty Wright/Getty Images)

  • 7. Miami, FL

    Miami Hotels Close Their Doors As Coronavirus Spreads In Florida

    (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

  • 6. Tampa, FL

    Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade

    (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

  • 5. Moab, UT

    Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, UT.

    (Photo by Harvey Meston/Getty Images)

  • 4. Page, AZ

    Lake Powell At Historic Low Levels In Drought-Stricken West

    (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

  • 3. Key West, FL

    Key West World Championship Powerboat Races

    (Photo by Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau via Getty Images)

  • 2. Orlando, FL

    Walt Disney World Resort Celebrates 45th Anniversary to Colorful Fanfare

    (Photo by Jacqueline Nell/Disneyland Resort via Getty Images)

  • 1. Myrtle Beach, SC

    Americans Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend At Myrtle Beach As South Carolina Opens Amusement Parks

    (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

 

 

Marija is a morning show host on WXKB/B1039, midday host on WRXK/96KRock and night show host on WPBB/98.7 The Shark. She loves to write about food, travel, and things to do around the state of Florida.

Sign Up For The B In The Know Newsletter

Music and entertainment stories, SWFL happenings, exclusive contests, games, and more inside every newsletter.

*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Author Marija
Category:
Tags:
,,,

More 96krock

Load More