Celebrate the Loveland Frogman at This Quirky Ohio Festival

While attending paranormal conferences across the United States, Jeff Craig discovered that most people he met had heard of the Loveland Frogman. The humanoid-frog creature has long been part of Ohio lore thanks to sightings reported in 1955 and 1972 along the Little Miami River.

Still, many people in Loveland were not aware of the creature tied to their town, and Craig began to wonder why the Frogman didn’t have his own local festival. He envisioned a day of speakers, activities and vendors, and in 2023 he hosted the first Frogman Festival. 

“I think it’s the unique story,” Craig says. “And Frogman is a one-off, unlike Bigfoot who is seen in pretty much every state. … The fact that it became part of the local lore is something to be celebrated because it is such a unique story.”

Author and paranormal researcher James Willis was one of the first speakers at the festival, and he returns to headline the event each year. The festival is scheduled for March 7 in 2026. “On Wednesdays We Talk Weird” podcast host Ashley Hilt joins Willis in this year’s lineup of speakers, which also includes Chad Lewis; Sherwin Quiambao, a sketch artist who highlights stories from Asia and creates trading cards; and Charlie Mewshaw from Discovery Channel’s “Lost Monster Files.” Events take place throughout the day, including cryptid-focused puppet shows, live reptile showings and a parade featuring costumed Frogmen and a bagpiper.

“Everyone that comes that I hear from just feels a sense of community,” Craig says of the festival. “[We draw] people of the same ilk that are artistic and creative and open-minded and just love the vibe that they get there.”

Oasis Conference Center, 902 Loveland-Miamiville Rd., Loveland 45140, frogmanfestival.org

For more Ohio events inspiration, sign up for our Ohio Magazine newsletters.

Ohio Magazine is available in a beautifully designed print issue that is published 7 times a year, along with Spring-Summer and Fall-Winter editions of LongWeekends magazine. Subscribe to Ohio Magazine and stay connected to beauty, adventure and fun across our state.