Submitted Photo. Peter Weimer (left), local Bigfoot enthusiast, shares large footprint castings and a copy of the “I’ve Seen Bigfoot” promotional film poster with John “Doc” Hamels (right), Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club President.

WESTFIELD — Lots of dark fur, huge feet, apelike, and larger than humans are some of the descriptors of the creature known as Bigfoot or Sasquatch. Local enthusiast Peter Weimer, whose interest in the subject began 25 years ago, offered a program on the topic at the Sept. 17 meeting of the Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club at The Parkview in Westfield. His program was sponsored by John “Doc” Hamels, club president.

“Many area individuals who say they have had eyewitness sightings of Bigfoot have contacted me. Some are afraid to have their identities known because they are fearful of being ridiculed. Others are concerned that if they report sightings of the creature to local authorities, the Bigfoot would become an endangered species,” he said at the meeting.

Weimer and Larry Battson, a friend, established the first annual Chautauqua Lake Bigfoot (CLBF) Expo in 2012. This event brought in national Bigfoot speakers from various parts of the country to offer their knowledge and experience with the creatures. Since then, Weimer reports that he has been informed of 41 people who claim eyewitness accounts from Chautauqua County, eight from Cattaraugus County, and more than a dozen from Warren County, Pennsylvania. Eyewitnesses’ ages and professions widely vary.

Along with Joseph Glarner and Mark Robinault, Weimer wrote, directed and produced a documentary movie titled “I’ve Seen Bigfoot.” In it is an exclusive interview with Bob Gimlin from the famous 1967 Patterson-Gimlin Bigfoot film and eyewitness account in Orleans, California. In 2013 Weimer flew Gimlin, who was 82 years old then, from Yakima, Washington to the Chautauqua Lake Bigfoot Expo. For online information about the film, see IHaveSeenBigfoot.com.

During his Sept. 17 program for Westfield-Mayville Rotarians and guests, Weimer showed the 1967 Patterson-Gimlin film of the creature. Also, he described numerous eyewitness accounts of Bigfoot sightings in the local region.

Weimer invited those of all ages who are interested in the topic to the 8th Annual Chautauqua Lake Bigfoot Expo, Oct. 11 to 13, at YMCA Camp Onyasha, 5411 E. Lake Road, Dewittville. There will be a movie festival, town hall meeting, and more. For the daily schedule, event hours and ticket prices, check out BigfootExpo.com.