GoblinCon 2026: Kentucky Festival Celebrates UFOs, Bigfoot and the Kelly Encounter

Key Facts

Event: GoblinCon 2026
Location: Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Dates: August 22-23, 2026
Admission: $10 general; free for 12 and under
Livestream: $10 all-access
Special Attraction: Original Green Goblin truck head from 'Maximum Overdrive'

Background

GoblinCon 2026 is set to return to Hopkinsville, Kentucky, for a two-day celebration of the strange and unexplained, inspired by one of the most famous UFO cases in American history: the Kelly-Hopkinsville encounter.

The event pays tribute to an incident from 1955 when two families reported a terrifying nighttime encounter with mysterious small creatures outside a farmhouse near Kelly, Kentucky. The case became national news and remains one of the most well-known and debated UFO cases in history.

The Kentucky legend even inspired the movie E.T. Today, the city embraces this unique history with GoblinCon, turning a decades-old mystery into a weekend celebrating folklore, curiosity, and the unexplained.

Current Situation

GoblinCon 2026 will take place on Saturday, August 22, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, August 23, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Organizers describe it as a family-friendly expo featuring guest speakers, paranormal investigators, vendors, workshops, cosplay, and movie props.

Attendees can expect UFO, ghost, and Bigfoot presentations. There will also be a costume and cosplay contest with youth, teen, and adult divisions, with trophies awarded to first- and second-place winners.

One of this year's unique attractions is the Goblin Project's Happy Toyz Tour, which will stop at GoblinCon to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Stephen King's 'Maximum Overdrive.' The tour features the original Green Goblin truck head used in the 1986 cult classic, giving horror movie fans a rare opportunity to see one of the film's most recognizable props in person.

GoblinCon 2026 Schedule and Pricing
Day	Hours	Admission	Livestream
Saturday, August 22	10 a.m. to 7 p.m.	$10	$10
Sunday, August 23	10 a.m. to 6 p.m.	$10	$10

Children 12 and under admitted free. VIP option available.

Impacts

General admission tickets are available for just $10, with those 12 and under admitted free. There is also a VIP option available. Full ticket details can be found at GoblinConKY.com.

For those who cannot make the trip to Hopkinsville, organizers are offering a $10 all-access livestream. The livestream includes the event's main stage presentations, speaker panels, and workshops throughout the weekend, allowing paranormal enthusiasts to tune in from anywhere.

The event is expected to draw visitors interested in UFO lore, ghost stories, cryptids, and quirky roadside attractions, contributing to Hopkinsville's identity as a hub for the unexplained.

Future Outlook

Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.

If GoblinCon 2026 proves successful, it could continue to grow as a regional attraction, potentially drawing more vendors, speakers, and attendees in future years.

Should the Happy Toyz Tour generate significant interest, organizers may consider bringing similar movie props or themed attractions to subsequent events, enhancing the festival's appeal to horror fans.

However, if attendance or engagement falls short, the event's scope could remain limited, and the livestream option may become a more prominent feature for remote participants.

Source: wbkr.com

AMRIT EXPLAINER