Oscoda Celebrates Larger-Than-Life Legends at Paul Bunyan Days and Bigfoot Bash

There are a few things about Oscoda, Michigan that make our lakeside town legendary: sugar-sand beaches, crystal blue waters of Lake Huron, and endless outdoor recreation opportunities along the water and in the Huron National Forest — just to name a few. If you're interested in more mysterious and mythical legends, we've got you covered there, too! This September, Oscoda will celebrate two giants of American folklore: Paul Bunyan and Bigfoot. These two events, just a few miles from Huron House, will intrigue even the most skeptical visitors as they revel in the fantastical worlds of these larger-than-life figures.

Paul Bunyan Days is a three-day festival honoring the colossal lumberjack of American folklore whose tales of superhuman feats and colossal adventures have been passed down for generations. The event, held September 15-17, will have carnival rides and games, food trucks, a beer tent, a parade, live music, a craft show, a car and truck show, and more. In the spirit of the area's rich logging heritage, there will be chainsaw carving and log chopping competitions, with the chainsaw carvings later auctioned to the highest bidder.

Paul Bunyan Days has been celebrated in Oscoda for more than four decades. But what's Oscoda's connection to this iconic woodsman? It was here that the earliest stories of Paul Bunyan first appeared in print in the Oscoda Press in 1906. The tales were written by James McGillivray, once himself a lumberjack, who later became a newspaper editor. In 2006, the state of Michigan proclaimed Oscoda as the folk legend's official birthplace. There's even a 13-foot statue that memorializes Paul Bunyan at Furtaw Field, the site of the festival.

While Paul Bunyan may be a lumberjack of mythic proportions, Bigfoot reigns supreme in the realm of cryptids and urban legends. Oscoda's inaugural Bigfoot Bash is the ultimate gathering for Bigfoot enthusiasts. Held September 29-30 at multiple sites, activities will delve into the mystery surrounding this elusive, ape-like creature that has fascinated and terrified the masses for decades. This includes a guided hike at night through the dense Huron National Forest in search of Bigfoot himself.

The main event features an expert-led seminar that explores the history, behavior, and latest research and theories of this enigmatic creature. Plus, you'll hear evidence and accounts of Bigfoot sightings in the region — it just might make you a believer! There also will be a 75-booth vendor expo, family zone, a Bigfoot chainsaw carving, and other Bigfoot-themed and nature-related activities.

In Oscoda, Michigan, legends come to life in larger-than-life fashion. Whether you're enthralled by the tales of Paul Bunyan or intrigued by the elusive Bigfoot, these two festivals offer a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the folklore and mystique of these legendary figures. Plan your visit to Oscoda and stay with us at Huron House to experience the wonder of Paul Bunyan Days and the Bigfoot Bash — where myths meet reality, and legends become memories.