The Albatwitch, central Pa.'s own Bigfoot legend, will be celebrated in Columbia
You've heard of the Yeti, Sasquatch and Big Foot. But how about Big Foot's little brother?
Meet the Albatwitch, a 4-foot legendary creature said to have inhabited the Chickies Rock area along the Susquehanna River.
The legend (myth?) of the hairy, man-like creature will be celebrated on Oct. 13 at Albatwitch Day in Columbia.
Held by the Columbia Preservation Society, the all-day event will be in the 200 Block of Locust Street. The festival features live musical performances, lectures, trolley rides and a pie-eating contest. Kid-friendly activities such as face painting and $5 trolley rides will also be available.
Timothy Renner, the local man behind the podcast Strangefamiliars, will give a lecture on the creature – as will paranormal researcher Brian Parsons.
"I'm a collector of local legends and local history," Renner said. "It's important to explore these legends because we have lost our connection with folk works."
Renner is also the author of three books. The most recent explores the legend of Big Foot in Pennsylvania. He first began attending the event with his band, Stone Breath.
Event coordinator Christopher Vera said he started the event with Rick Fisher in hopes that one day they would have visitors from all over the Northeast.
Through the years, Albatwitches were said to have been spotted in nearby areas along the river’s shore.
According to the Albatwitch Day website, the creatures were named after their purported habit of stealing apples from picnickers. Albatwitch is short for “apple-snitch.” The creatures are often compared to Bigfoot because of their similar features – though they are much smaller.
Click here for a link on the full story of the albatwitch of Columbia, Pennsylvania.
The creatures are said to spend most of their time sitting in trees, only coming down to look for food. During the 1950s and 1970s, similar-looking creatures were reported on Chickie’s Road. In 1973, according to the website, other similar sightings were reported in Lancaster and Annville.
Also of interest, a gallery of photos below.
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