Jonesboro, AR (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Oct. 7, 2024 – From mysterious creatures to terrifying ghosts, Northeast Arkansas’s rich and colorful history continues to inspire unique and fun activities spawned by unusual legends, especially around Halloween.

Here are just a few of the spine-tingling events from across the NEA, which can be found on the Arkansas State Parks (ASP) website here.

In Jonesboro alone there are numerous haunted tells, such as the Forum Theatre’s mischievous ghost named Charlie, Johnson-Sanderson, Mansion’s numerous claims of poltergeist activities, Keller’s Chapel and Cemetery’s reports of strange sounds and sightings, and, of course, the Wild Man of Crowley’s Ridge.

That’s right… Bigfoot has been spotted on the ridge.

This legend has inspired “Let’s Go Bigfoot Hunting” at Lake Frierson State Park, located at 7904 AR-141 in Jonesboro. This free event will take place Oct. 19, in the Overflow Area of the campground.

This gigantic legend has left equally large footprints on the history of Crowley’s Ridge. Whether you believe in the legend or not, you can have fun following Bigfoot as you join the park interpreter around the campfire for real stories from Crowley’s Ridge history about the 1851 expedition and many others to find the elusive Wild Man.

If the Wild Man isn’t quite the cryptid you are looking for, how about taking a trip to Newport for a prehistoric beast of massive size… the infamous White River Monster.

“In Search of the White River Monster” will be hosted by Jacksonport State Park Oct. 18, at the Day Use Picnic Area (first picnic table nearest the restroom) at 111 Avenue Street in Newport.

During this free event you are invited to join a park interpreter for a hike along the beach of the White River, where you will learn about the history of the mythical monster’s sightings while trying to spot items that may have been mistaken for this mythical monster in the past. So, don’t forget your camera, just in case.

Cryptids still not doing it for you, how about a ghost adventure at Powhatan Historic State Park, during one of their infamous “Ghost Walks”.

This event will be Oct. 18 and 19 at Powhatan Courthouse, located at 4414 Hwy 25 in Powhatan. Admissions are $6.50 for adults, $4.50 for children (children under 6 are free).

During this event, the century-old buildings, Black River, and old cemeteries play host to Powhatan’s ghost stories, folktales, and legends as you join park staff for various ghostly tales, such as the lynching of Andrew Springer, which is a chilling tale that is often told along the walk as it considered a significant component of local folklore.

According to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas website, although the exact identity of Springer remains a mystery, Springer was lynched in Powhatan in 1887 after being accused of a crime. After which a posse members led by the victim’s husband quickly apprehended the man and turned him over to authorities at Powhatan, which was then the county seat.

At the jail, Springer reportedly confessed to the crime and was positively identified by the victim. About a week later, between 1-2 o’clock in the morning, a mob of twenty-five people appeared at the jail, demanding the keys from the jailer and threatening to use force. The mob then took the man outside town and hung him from a tree, firing shots into his suspended body. No one was ever charged in the lynching.

Now his ghost is just one of many that could possibly be haunting along path of this eerie tour, however space is limited and reservations are required. Call (870) 878-6765 or email powhatan@arkansas.com to reserve your spot. For more information on this event or to request accommodation to be able to attend or better your experience during this event, contact the park at (870) 878-0032.