Murphy – If you’ve ever wondered about the hairy being known by many names – like Bigfoot, Sasquatch, Skunk Ape, Grassman or Big Red Eye – some insight into the national folklore will be coming to the Murphy Public Library.
Mike Familant, 35, is an emergency medical technician, firefighter and graphic designer. He’s also a Bigfoot researcher, show producer and lead investigator from New Jersey.
 |
In 2011, while on an expedition trip in Florida with a friend, rocks were thrown at his group while they were sitting around a campfire. It was then that Familant got into Bigfoot, making it his goal to find out just what’s actually roaming the woods of America.
In 2016, he created his own show, called In the Shadow of Big Red Eye. The show is filming its ninth season. Familant’s episodes and more can be found on his YouTube Channel, “Sussex County Bigfoot.” In the Shadow of Big Red Eye is also on Facebook by the same name as well as on Instagram @shadowofredeye.
Familant is on his Do You Believe Tour ‘25 and will be appearing and discussing the elusive creature in Cherokee County , from 5-6 p.m. Thursday, May 1, the Murphy Public Library, 9 Blumenthal St. downtown. There will also be a question-and-answer session.
Familant has been researching Bigfoot for more than 14 years. He has captured some pretty impressive evidence along the way.
“We understand that Bigfoot and Sasquatch hunting and research are passions shared not only by many of our patrons but members and groups around this community. It promotes wonder, curiosity and conversation,” assistant librarian Heather Jackson said. “We at the Murphy Public Library love to see anything that brings conversation to our community. Hopefully, this event brings people to our public space, where they can hear and share stories.”
Details: Call 828-837-2417.