Fayetteville’s Cryptid Weekend 2027
March 6–7, 2027 | Downtown Fayetteville & Trails
Fayetteville is going full folklore for Fayetteville’s Cryptid Weekend, March 6–7, 2027! Venture into town and the surrounding trails as some of West Virginia’s most legendary cryptids emerge from the shadows.
Spot familiar Appalachian legends like Bigfoot and Mothman roaming downtown, popping up along trails, and making surprise appearances throughout the weekend. Bring your camera and see if you can capture cryptids “in the wild” — wandering through town, lurking near trailheads, or blending into everyday Fayetteville life.
The weekend kicks off on Saturday, March 6, with the opening of a Cryptid Art Exhibition at the Love Hope Center for the Arts, featuring regional artists inspired by folklore, myth, and Appalachian legends.
Throughout the weekend, enjoy a Cryptid-themed Art Walk through your favorite Fayetteville businesses, with special stops, themed displays, and surprises along the way. Shops, galleries, and community spaces will embrace the strange and unusual as downtown transforms into a playful celebration of West Virginia’s most mysterious creatures. There will also be a cryptid scavenger hunt through town.
Whether you’re a folklore fan, an art lover, a photographer, or just curious about what goes bump in the woods — Fayetteville’s Cryptid Weekend is your chance to explore Fayetteville from a whole new perspective.
Pro tip: Keep your camera ready… you never know when a cryptid might appear.
If you are interested in sponsoring this years event email us info@visitfayettevillewv.com
Fayetteville’s Cryptid Weekend Schedule
Saturday, March 6th
11:00am-4:00pm Cryptid Scavenger Hunt – Start by picking up your scavenger hunt list at the Fayetteville Visitor Center
11:00am-4:00pm Junior Cryptozoologist Program – Start by picking up your field guide at the Fayetteville Visitor Center
11:00am-4:00pm Cryptid Crawl Art Walk Vendors
11:00am-5:00pm Cryptid Crawl Art Walk Trail
11:00am-6:00pm Cryptid Art Show at Love Hope Center for the Arts
11:15am-12:00pm
11:00am-2:00pm Cryptid Scavenger Hunt – Start by picking up your scavenger hunt list at the Fayetteville Visitor Center
11:00am-2:00pm Junior Cryptozoologist Program – Start by picking up your field guide at the Fayetteville Visitor Center
11:00am-4:00pm Cryptid Art Show at Love Hope Center for the Arts
11:00am-5:00pm Cryptid Crawl Art Walk Trail
12:00pm-12:30pm Cryptid Pet Costume Contest in front of the Fayette County Courthouse
Additional Event Information
Cryptid Scavenger Hunt
Mysterious creatures have been spotted throughout downtown Fayetteville… can you find them all?
Join the Cryptid Scavenger Hunt, a self-guided adventure that takes you on a quest through participating locations along the Cryptid Crawl. Search for hidden cryptids, explore local shops, and experience the festival in a fun and interactive way for all ages.
How It Works:
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Pick up your scavenger hunt tracking sheet at the Fayetteville Visitor Center
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Follow the clues and locate cryptids hidden throughout town
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Mark each discovery as you go
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Return your completed sheet to the Visitor Center to receive a small prize (while supplies last)
This activity is self-guided and can be completed at your own pace during Cryptid Weekend — perfect for families, friends, and curious explorers.
Junior Cryptozoologist Program
Calling all young monster hunters and future scientists!
The Junior Cryptozoologist Program invites kids to become official cryptid investigators during Fayetteville’s Cryptid Weekend. Participants will complete a series of fun, self-guided challenges designed to encourage observation, exploration, and imagination while learning about legendary Appalachian creatures.
How to Participate:
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Pick up your Junior Cryptozoologist field guide at the Fayetteville Visitor Center
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Complete activities and challenges as you explore downtown
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Return your completed guide to the Visitor Center for verification
The first 300 youth participants who complete the program will earn an official Junior Cryptozoologist collectible pin!
Designed especially for kids and families, this self-paced adventure turns the entire town into a living classroom of folklore, creativity, and discovery.
Cryptid Art Show at Love Hope Center for the Arts
Love Hope Center for the Arts is exhibiting artwork from regional artists inspired by cryptid folklore and Appalachian legends!
In participation with Fayetteville’s exciting new Cryptid Weekend, the Cryptid Art show will run March 6th to March 28th.
Cryptid Creative Writing Contest
Calling all young storytellers, monster hunters, and cryptid creators!
As part of Fayetteville’s Cryptid Festival, we invite local students in kindergarten through 12th grade to enter our Cryptid Creative Writing Contest for a chance to win a gift basket filled with goodies and local surprises! Create an original story about your favorite cryptid, a cryptid encounter or a invent a brand-new cryptid. Stories can be funny, spooky, adventurous, mysterious — or anything your imagination dreams up. Students are encouraged to include illustrations to go along with their stories.
Who Can Enter?
Local students in kindergarten – 12th Grade
(Winners may be selected by age group depending on submissions.)
Submission Deadline: February 28, 2027
How to Submit: Mail or drop off entries at:
Fayetteville Visitor Center
162 S. Court Street
Fayetteville, WV 25840
Winners will be announced ahead of the festival and will receive a special cryptid-themed gift basket!
