Bigfoot? Mothman? Bipartisan bill set to name official Ohio cryptid
A proposed bipartisan bill may yet immortalize a certain frogman, myth, and legend.
House Bill 821, introduced by State Representatives Tristan Rader (D) and Jean Schmidt (R), aims to designate the Loveland Frog as Ohio’s official state cryptid, according to a press release. The Loveland Frog, or Frogman, has been a mainstay in Ohio folklore since its first sighting on the banks of the Little Miami River near Loveland, OH, in 1955. The humanoid cryptid is described in the bill as a “frog-like, bipedal creature standing at approximately four feet tall.”
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“This bill is about showcasing our communities,” said Rader in the release. “The Loveland Frog is uniquely Ohio. It reflects the stories we tell, the places we’re proud of, and the creativity that makes our state worth celebrating.”
The bill points to the “books, documentaries, local festivals, artwork, merchandise, local tourism, and cryptid enthusiasts and researchers,” that the Loveland Frog has inspired, as well as its contribution to “the local economy, creative culture, and unique cultural identity and oral history of this state.” Since 2023, Loveland, OH, has embraced the creature as its city mascot, hosting a yearly Frogman Festival—complete with themed art, merch, and specialty exhibits—and a “Return of the Frogman” festival, held only on leap years.
The bill is currently awaiting committee assignment in the Ohio House.
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