What has glowing red eyes, long silvery wings, a human body, and followers all over the world?

The legendary Mothman, whose claimed 1966 appearance in Point Pleasant, West Virginia has sparked nearly six-decades of fascination.

Each year, this town of 5,000 people commemorates the first “sighting” of its celebrated cryptid during the Mothman Festival, which will be held this year on September 20-21. While locals and visitors honor this intriguing man-insect, the giant-winged organism wasn’t embraced nearly as warmly at first.

As the legend goes, Mothman was first seen by Roger and Linda Scarberry and Steve and Mary Mallette, who were driving on Route 62 when they spotted a winged, six to seven-foot tall, man-like creature with glowing red eyes. As they raced away, the creature kept pace, gliding through the air like a hell-spawned helicopter reaching speeds of roughly 100 m.p.h. While the couples hid in a nearby National Guard Armory, the beast waited in vain. He eventually departed through a field and into the annals of history.

The very next day, the monster made headlines in the Point Pleasant Register, prompting heavily armed townsfolk to comb the area, but as suddenly as Mothman appeared, he vanished, leaving behind a new local legend.

The story eventually inspired a number of books, including “The Mothman Prophecies” by John Keel. That telling was adapted into a 2001 movie of the same name starring Richard Gere as a reporter who investigated sightings of the humanoid insect. With that, an international sensation was born. 

Back in Point Pleasant, artist Bob Roach unveiled a 12-foot Mothman statue in 2003. It stands in front of the world’s only Mothman Museum, created and owned by Jeff Wamsley, who greets visitors from around the world.

“It’s a worldwide phenomenon now because the mystery has never been solved,” he said.

His museum includes nearly sixty-year-old newspaper clippings about the original sighting as well as handwritten police depositions from back then, eyewitness descriptions, and documentaries. Movie costumes and props are on display as is Mothman artwork, collectibles, and gifts. The museum and accompanying store are open year-round but, of course, packed during the festival.

Among the event’s many attractions are a Mothman 5K footrace, live bands, movies, performers, a zipline, and hayrides. And, of course, Mothman merch is everywhere, enabling visitors to take their own little winged wonders home. 

This year’s event also features special guest Richard Hatem, who wrote “The Mothman Prophecies” screenplay, plus speakers and researchers who will discuss other unsolved mysteries like Bigfoot, UFOs, and Men in Black.

Wamsley estimates that 15,000-20,000 people visit this tiny town over the course of two days, and while locals may not be ready for a return of the winged beast himself, they sure appreciate all this intrepid insect has done for their economy.

“Some people still talk about it, even though it happened 60 years ago,” says Wamsley. “A few others just laugh it off. But everyone can see how the legend helps the town economically.”

Once you’ve had your fill of Mothman, other local attractions include the Point Pleasant Trading Company, a riverwalk featuring murals commemorating the Battle of Point Pleasant, and Tu-Endi-Wei State Park, the site of a fierce battle between European settlers and Shawnee natives. The Mayberry-esque town is also home to numerous mom-and-pop shops and eateries, a historic and possibly haunted hotel, and a 1940s movie theater.