Grafton’s monster legend dates to 1964, when local reporter Robert Cockrell described encountering a large pale creature near the Tygart Valley River. The strange figure became known as the Grafton Monster and eventually developed into one of West Virginia’s distinctive pieces of cryptid folklore.
The modern festival brings the story into downtown Grafton with paranormal and cryptid speakers, costume activities, monster merchandise, vendors, live music and family entertainment. Programming spreads through the downtown area rather than staying inside a single building, making the central city area the most useful visitor location for the listing.