To the people of West Virginia Mothman can be an escape from the normalcy of everyday life, he offers an interesting mystery that provides a spice to everyday life. Mothman has been associated with many other forms of odd happens such as UFOs and other supernatural occurrences or mysteries. The paranormal even if one does nesscacarly believe in these entities the can be a source of fun to those involved. The legend of Mothman has spread far outside the original area of his appearance, reports of him across the US are not uncommon and have even spread to other countries such as Russia. Mothman has also become a very popular figure in online meme culture, becoming sort of a friendly supernatural companion for humans in that circle. Mothman is also a large source of pride for the town of Point Pleasant, being a small town with not much industry the tourism from the legend of Mothman is a large source of income for the town and they are happy to share what they know with others. Mothman can also be a source of entertainment for others, having films made after him.
I believe that the things that take place at the Mothman festival and the things that take place at the festival can certainly be seen as ritual of some sort. as defined by Martha Sims and Martine Stephens “Groups frequently devise ceremonies or performances that enact deeply held beliefs or values. These are rituals, and they make our inner experiences of traditions visible and observable to members of the group and often to outsiders.” (Living Folklore, Martha Sims, Martine Stephens, pg. 94, 2005.) The Mothman festival is a celebration of West Virginian folklore and is very open to outsiders who want to experience this and the festival hosts several repeating events each year that could be seen as rituals in their own right.
“I mean it’s just kind of like in this quiet Community it’s it’s a source of wonder it’s a connection to something that’s unknown um those who’ve seen Mothman achieve.
A lot of status within the Community, for instance.
I believe that.
The last person who was in that.
That group on a double date who saw him off man I believe she passed away a few years ago, but prior to that.
All the people who’d sited Mothman were given a place of honor at this festival there’s a big statue of Mothman in the town square um and yeah so it’s just it’s kind of.
Oh it’s hard to condense i’m sorry um yeah it’s.
it’s almost like a local mascot.” (Astrid Long-Kellough, Interview Exert, 2021.)