Oct 20, 2011

“Gorilla” marketing: Chatham Sasquatch playing promotional role for upcoming Halloween events

By Jenn Pointer

Springfield – The State Journal-Register

CHATHAM – The Chatham Sasquatch has taken a liking to Funilla Ice’s seasonal candy corn milkshakes according to one of the business’s owners.

Owner Rhett Mays said Bigfoot sightings at the business have increased since Oct. 10, when the 1980s and 1990s-themed ice cream shop and miniature golf facility held a Chatham Sasquatch Day for area students to raise funds for the not-for-profit organization, Kailey’s Krew.

The Chatham Sasquatch watched the Glenwood High School Titans win the Central State Eight Conference battle for second place after defeating Rochester High School 35-25 on Friday, Oct. 14, 2011.

“Our manager, Julie Smith, did most of the coordinating for the event, “ Mays said. “We sent flyers out to schools in the Ball-Chatham School District (and) raised $231.”

The Sasquatch event attracted more than 100 people with some additional marketing help spearheaded by his seven part-time GHS student employees, including Mays’ son, Nolan, and Trevor Dowell, who are both GHS soccer players. The students’ promotional efforts have since led to Bigfoot sightings at high school football games.

To promote upcoming Halloween events, both Funilla Ice and the Chatham Jaycees are using the Chatham Sasquatch as a marketing tool.

The Chatham Sasquatch will be making appearances at the Chatham Jaycees Haunted Hayride on Saturday, Oct. 29, at Chatham Community Park, and Funilla Ice’s Spooky Golf, which will run until the business closes for the season on Nov. 1.

Funilla Ice will be open from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursdays; 4 to 10 p.m. on Fridays; noon to 10 p.m. on Saturdays; and noon to 9 p.m. on Sundays.

“We have the course decorated and spooky music playing. It is ‘gorilla’ marketing at its best,” he laughed.