LIVINGSTON, TX – Confusion swept through the small town of Livingston yesterday as local resident, Billy Bob Jenkins, mistook a craft fair for a reported black panther sighting in the area. The mix-up occurred at the annual Texas Craft Fair held at the Polk County Fairgrounds, where Jenkins was seen running frantically through vendor booths shouting about a “massive black panther on the loose.”

Eyewitnesses reported that Jenkins was clutching a handmade wooden duck decoy he had purchased from one of the craft fair booths, believing it to be a weapon to defend himself against the alleged panther. He was overheard telling anyone who would listen that he had spotted the beast near the Pecan Grove RV Park, and urged them to flee to safety.

In a bizarre turn of events, local authorities arrived on the scene only to find no sign of a black panther. Instead, they found Jenkins crouched behind a booth selling homemade candles, still gripping the wooden duck decoy and muttering about the “sneaky panther.”

When asked for comment, Jenkins explained, “I saw it with my own two eyes, y’all! That panther was as big as a Cadillac and twice as mean. I reckon it must have been attracted to all them handcrafted goodies at the craft fair.”

Despite the false alarm, the Texas Craft Fair continued without further interruption, showcasing a variety of locally-made goods including hand-stitched quilts, homemade jams, and hand-carved wooden figurines. Jenkins was eventually escorted off the premises by authorities and advised to refrain from causing any more commotion.

In the meantime, Polk County residents are encouraged to enjoy the craft fair festivities and keep an eye out for any actual black panther sightings, just in case.