It’s been nine months since Bigfoot has been spotted in Hudson parks—or at least the life-sized silhouettes of Bigfoot. Now that leaves are falling and the foliage is thinning out, participants in “Hike Hudson: In Search of Bigfoot” will have a chance to spot the big guy again.
Friends of Hudson Parks’ annual hiking event began September 1 and runs through November 30. Bigfoot’s “shadows” will be hiding in each of the thirteen parks included in the event. “Hike Hudson: In Search of Bigfoot” encourages area hikers to explore a variety of Hudson’s parks. Each year, participants who complete at least eight of thirteen designated trails between September 1 and November 30 will earn a prize. This year, the prize is a 14 gauge steel Bigfoot bottle opener handcrafted by local metal artists Todd and Diane Neal of Kindred Metal (www.kindredmetal.com). Hikers who pose with Bigfoot and post their photos to Instagram with the hashtag #HudsonParksBigfoot will be entered into a drawing. Ten random winners will receive a Bigfoot Patrol membership kit. Hike Hudson participants have a choice of just completing the trails to win the bottle opener—or just posting their Bigfoot photos to Instagram—or they can do both.
Entry forms with complete rules may be downloaded here. The hiking event, now in its fifth year, allows participants to choose from more than fourteen miles of multipurpose trails at the following locations:
- Barlow Farm Park
- Bicentennial Woods
- Boston Mills Park, Cascade Park
- Colony Park, Darrow Road Park
- Hudson Springs Park
- Maple Grove Park
- Nicholson Trail
- Trumbull Woods
- Turnpike Trail
- Veterans Way Park
- Wildlife Woods
Once participants have finished at least eight of the designated trails, they may turn in their completed forms and claim their Bigfoot bottle openers at one of two locations—Destination Hudson Visitor Center, 27 East Main Street (the historic Town Hall), or Open Door Coffee Company, 164 North Main Street. Interested individuals also may pick up entry forms at either of those locations.
For more information or to download forms, visit www.friendsofhudsonparks.org or email friendsofhudsonparks@gmail.com. Friends of Hudson Parks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which actively supports the mission of the Hudson Parks through volunteerism, advocacy, promotion and fund raising. Hike Hudson and other 2017 activities are made possible in part through the support of “Best Friends” annual sponsor, Hudson Preschool Parents.