POINT PLEASANT — It is once again time to get lost in those piercing red eyes of the Mothman with the Eighth Annual Mothman Festival.

The event, which is dedicated in memory of former City of Point Pleasant employee B.R. Deweese, who passed away earlier this year, officially kicks off today at 10 a.m. with the Second Annual Miss Mothman Festival Children’s pageant, which will take place at the Point Pleasant Riverfront Park.

On Friday, the 2009 Miss Mothman Festival Queen Meghann Hesson, who will reign over this year’s festival, was crowned. Hesson along with her festival court can be spotted throughout today’s festival activities. There are several events on tap for today as well including several guest speakers. This year guest speakers will give their presentations at the Historic State Theater, and Ghostly Talk Radio of Detroit, Mich. will host the event.

Live bands are scheduled to perform at 1 p.m. at the riverfront park stage as well. This year’s bands include 12 Gauge and 40 Pound Snapper. The Mothman Band, which has been a staple of the festival for several years, also will perform.

Other exciting events on tap today include the Mothman pancake eating contest, which is a new event for this year’s festival. For the past two festivals, Mothman pancakes have become quite a hit with festival goers, which is why the contest was established this year. The contest is slated to begin at 3 p.m. and additional details for the contest will be available at the Mothman pancake tent. In addition, proceeds collected from pancake sales will benefit the Fisher House, which provides military families with a “home away from home” while their loved ones are recuperating at veterans’ hospitals.

Mothman bus tours also are scheduled to run throughout the day, and more information will be available at the Mothman information tent located beside the Mothman statue.

Along with the many guest speakers, festival goers will have the opportunity to interact with the original eye witnesses today from 1-3 p.m. Eye witnesses scheduled to appear include Linda Scarberry, one of the first to encounter the Mothman in 1966; Tom Ury, who had the first official daytime sighting in 1966; and Faye Dewitt, who saw the Mothman run beside her car in 1966. In addition, the infamous Men and Black along with a crew of Ghostbusters can be spotted lurking about the festival.

Festival goers will be able to test their strength as well with the rock climbing wall, which is set up by the National Guard. The Turtleman, who displays and handles 40 pound snapping turtles, also will return to this year’s festival. Turtleman will be at his booth, located beside the Mothman statue, both today and Sunday. For those brave enough to hunt the Mothman in the dark, Mothman hayride tickets will be available. The hayride will begin at 7 p.m. this evening at the West Virginia State Farm Museum.

Sunday’s events will begin at noon with more guest speaker presentations. The Mothman Museum also will be open both today and Sunday.

For more information on the festival, visit www.mothmanfestival.com.