This was the 13th annual Beachfoot and it started off on an unsure foot. The campground it was normally held at was canceled a week before the event, due to a Covid outbreak in Lincoln County from a fish packaging plant, in nearby Newport.
Beachfoot artist Rictor Riolo took control of the situation by stalking and researching who was in charge of Oregon's parks and recreations department and reached out to them.
Dear [redacted],Well, sure enough they came through for the Beachfooters and a new location was given to the Bigfoot group: Cascadia State park, outside of Lebanon and Sweet Home. Lockrem and Olvera made the final reservation and the event continued as planned. Unfortunately, it could only be 30 people because of the Oregon governor's Covid mandate for social distancing.
Our campsite reservations at River Edge Campground in Alsea has been canceled because of a recent outbreak of Covid in Lincoln County Our camping dates were June 25th to the 28th. We were going to be a group of 30. Are you aware of any alternative group campsites for us to use for those dates? Please call our camp leader Russ Lockrem (503) [redacted]. We are a group of Bigfoot researchers that get together once a year. Any help or guidance you give us would be great. Thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Rictor Riolo
Some of the presentations included live music from researcher David Osborne, a new Bigfoot song by YouTuber Dan Linholm, a presentation about the environment t of Bigfoot by retired veterinarian Kevin Llewellyn, and an update on Project Zoo Book by Ohio researcher, Amy Bue.
Even Bob Gimlin made an online web conference appearance and wished everyone well, including accident prone Rictor Riolo. Gimlin said, "Be sure to wrap Rictor in bubble wrap," since Rictor fell in the Santiam river and hurt his foot.
On one afternoon the Beachfooters went on a long hike up to a water fall. It started off as a 3/4 mile innocent hike with nice little bridges crisscrossing the streams, but then it became difficult with uprooted trees, crawling under logs, steep rock step/climbing that included stepping over logs. In the end it was worth it with breath taking views.
At the event, veteran Bigfoot researcher Jerry Hein celebrated his 67th birthday and there was even a tie dying activity the next day.
The Coronavirus couldn't keep these people from getting together and enjoying each other's company, even while practicing social distancing.
If you would like to be invited to next year's Beachfoot event, please email Russ Lockrem directly to inquire further information.
Photos courtesy of Amy Bue and Rictor Riolo
Special thanks to Squatchachussetts for helping sponsor the event.
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