This Kentucky Festival Celebrates One of America’s Strangest Mysteries
If you've ever gone down the rabbit hole of UFO sightings, cryptids, Bigfoot, or the paranormal, this event might be right up your alley.
GoblinCon 2026 is returning to Hopkinsville, Kentucky, for a two-day celebration of all things strange and unexplained, inspired by one of the most famous UFO cases in American history: the Kelly-Hopkinsville encounter.
This family-friendly expo features guest speakers, paranormal investigators, vendors, workshops, cosplay, and even a few movie props that horror fans won't want to miss.
The Story Behind the Goblins
GoblinCon pays tribute to the Kelly-Hopkinsville encounter, a case that dates back to 1955 when two families reported a terrifying nighttime encounter with mysterious small creatures outside a farmhouse near Kelly, Kentucky.
The incident 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. Whether you believe it was extraterrestrials, owls, or something else entirely, the story has become a lasting part of Hopkinsville's identity.
Today, the city embraces the unique history with GoblinCon, turning decades-old mystery into a weekend celebrating folklore, curiosity, and the unexplained.
What You'll Find at GoblinCon
GoblinCon takes place:
- Saturday, August 22: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sunday, August 23: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Bruce Convention Center
- Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Organizers say attendees can expect:
- More than 60 vendors
- Interactive exhibits
- Guest Speakers
- Educational workshops
- Paranormal discussion panels
- UFO, ghost, and Bigfoot presentations
- Family-friendly entertainment
- A Fun Zone for younger guests
There will also be a costume and cosplay contest with youth, teen, and adult divisions, with trophies awarded to first- and second-place winners.
Read More: Kentucky Is Home to International Paranormal Museum & Research Center
Maximum Overdrive Fans Will Want to See This
One of this year's unique attractions is the Goblin Project's Happy Toyz Tour that will stop at GoblinCon, celebrating 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.
Can't Make It? Watch From Home
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.
If you can't 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.
Whether you're fascinated by UFO lore, enjoy ghost stories, love cryptids, or just appreciate quirky roadside attractions and festivals, GoblinCon offers one of the most unique weekends you'll find anywhere in Kentucky.
10 Eerie Kentucky UFO Stories
Gallery Credit: Dave Spencer