Behold! Lancaster County's local Bigfoot: the Albatwitch [photos]
A Saturday event in Columbia celebrated a creature that’s 3-to-5-feet tall, covered in black hair and loves apples.
It was Albatwitch Day, the annual festival celebrating Lancaster County’s urban legend. The Albatwitch legend’s roots are thought to be connected to both Germanic and Susquehannock Indian lore. Its name is a play on “apple snitch,” as the Albatwitch carries apples and will throw cores at trespassers, according to legend.
Saturday’s event in Columbia River Park offered vendors, food, live music, authors, artists and more. Because the Albatwitch is often likened to a mini Bigfoot (or Sasquatch), there was plentiful Bigfoot memorabilia at Saturday’s event, too.
To learn more about the Albatwitch, see LNP | LancasterOnline’s “Legends of Lancaster” video at lanc.news/Albatwitch.
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Overview shot of Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
A guest browses the books during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
There were a variety of books on display in one of the vendor booths during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
Merchandise is shown at Fairy Moon LLC booth during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
Merchandise is shown at Fairy Moon LLC booth during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
Attendees browse the Pennsylvania Bigfoot Project booth during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
Kristen Schoenly talks with customers at Albies’s Apples booth during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
Albatwitch gives out apples to the attendees during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
Attendees browse the art at Jesse Ross’s booth during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
Woodcrafts show the Albatwitch during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
Christopher Vera, event organizer, shows off his jacket during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
Attendees browse at Dyan’s Designs booth during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
Dime Toss is played by attendees and was hosted by Rivertown Theatre Productions during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
Attendees load up the trolley for a haunted tour during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
Attendees browse at Kim’s Prim Co. booth as Kim Righttnour, left in foreground, looks on during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
Cryptid HQ booth is shown during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
Hot sauces on sale at Cryptid HQ booth during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
Artwork is shown at Cryptid HQ booth during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
Cookbook on display at Cryptids HQ booth during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
T-shirt were for sale at one of the vendors during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
Sound Method band performs during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
An attendee browses at Strange Daze booth during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
Attendees browse during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
Author Timothy Renner signs autograph in his book before the books were sold during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
Author Timothy Renner signs his book before the books were sold during Albatwitch Day at Columbia River Park in Columbia Saturday Oct. 8, 2022.
- ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff Photographer
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