Harrison County Parks and Recreation Announces the Return to "Turtle Man" to Local Facility March 25
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on March 17, 2023
Ernie Brown, more familiarly known as Turtle Man from the television show Call of the Wildman, will visit the Recreation Complex March 25, bringing artifacts and telling stories about his journey.
Making his fifth visit to the area, Turtle Man’s visits have included talks to kids about how to catch turtles as well as meet and greet sessions where fans can get photo with the Kentuckian.
“Ernie was introduced to Parks and Recreation around 6 years ago through our friends at Prehistoric Planet and he is one of the better entertainers to the public that we know,” said Doug Comer, Deputy Director. “Some of his visits include talks with the kids during enrichments and photo opportunities with fans. He is a genuine person and takes a personal interest in everyone he meets.”
Working primarily on his YouTube channel “The Turtle Man Official Channel,” Brown has been travelling and capturing footage along the way. With roughly 40 videos being posted to date, many more are in the works.
“The Garton’s (Ray and Mary Ellen – Prehistoric Planet Owners) invited me to their home and brought me to the facility to show the exhibit they helped with and the staff was great,” said Brown. “I think they had an exhibit of a big sea turtle and I took some time with the kids that day to talk about turtles and some of the ways to catch them. The kids had a great time and the trip was great.”
On his first visit, the parks department offered a meet and greet for Harrison County and over 1000 people showed up for the event. In fact, we had to turn about 50 people away due to time constraints. But, he went outside and made sure to get a couple photos with the fans that stuck around.
Hours for the event is 12:00 PM to 5:00 pm for Saturday, March 25th. Free admission to both the Walking with Dinosaurs and to meet Brown. He will have items for purchase including apparel and other Turtle Man items for the fans or collectors. For more information, please contact the Recreation Department at 304-423-7800. The facility is located at 43 Recreation Dr, Clarksburg, WV 26301.
