Bigfoot. Yeti. Sasquatch.
This hairy ape-like man is known by many names around the world and is a local legend in the Fraser Canyon. Yale Historic Site examines the mystery in a new exhibit running May 12 to Sept. 30.
“It’s open to interpretation,” said site supervisor Deb Zervini. “It is B.C. folklore. People know, whether they believe it or not, that it is a local legend and people just have fun with it.”
The exhibit by Christopher L. Murphy consists of plaster casts of footprints, hair samples, models, sculptures and replicas, artwork, detailed charts and scientific posters.
“It’s something different and unique,” said Zervini. “We like to bring new things every year to keep people interested.”
Murphy will be exhibiting his collection in conjunction with the debut of his new book Sasquatch in British Columbia: A Chronology of Incidents and Important Events, which was written with local sasquatch researcher Thomas Steenburg. Both authors will be in attendance on Saturday to provide short talks along with David Hancock of Hancock House Publishers.
The exhibit opens at noon and admission is by donation on May 12. There will be a fundraiser barbecue for the Yale and District Historical Society, sasquatch T-shirts on sale by Sasquatch Sign Co., and an appearance by Bigfoot.
Yale Historic Site is also launching Sasquatch Kids Fan Club this weekend, which provides children with a photo and free admission to the site for the rest of the season with the purchase of a regular entrance ticket. Children will also be entered to win prizes throughout the season.