Iowa artist helps fuel Squonkapalooza, a growing festival celebrating Pennsylvania's cryptid

A festival celebrating Pennsylvania's mythical Squonk creature drew thousands to Johnstown this weekend, and an Iowa artist was among the vendors helping make it happen.

Squonkapalooza, now in its fourth year, brought together art vendors, cryptid enthusiasts, and families from across the country to Bottle Works in the Cambria City section of Johnstown. Organizers estimated attendance topped 4,000 people on Saturday, surpassing last year's turnout.

For Alyssa Hoopman of Pike County, the festival was a five-hour drive from home. She came with her mother, Christine Garvey, and her aunt, Lisa Garvey.

“We’ve made a five-hour trip, and we feel it’s worth it,” Lisa Garvey said.

The Shumate family from Dallas, Texas, stopped in Johnstown on their way back from a cryptid-themed road trip to Maine. They had already visited a museum dedicated to West Virginia's Mothman.

“There’s incredible art and great vendors here,” Dana Shumate said. “Johnstown is cool to see.”

About 90 vendors packed the avenue and the Bottle Works building, according to Executive Director Matt Lamb. The event also used the venue's rooftop garden and show rooms.

“Bottle Works has been a sponsor of the event from the beginning, and we are thrilled it’s happening here now,” Lamb said. “It’s a great community event.”

Many of the vendors are part of a network of traveling artists organized by Joe Fogle of Johnstown, the festival's co-host and founder. Fogle, an illustrator, built the network by selling his work at shows across the country.

“The vendors here are traveling art nomads that go from show to show,” Fogle said. “If you love what you do, you never work a day. That’s true in this case.”

Among the vendors was David Hardie, an artist and author from Beaver County, Pennsylvania. He met Fogle at a comic con in Pittsburgh years ago and has attended Squonkapalooza since its start.

“I love this festival,” Hardie said. “The cryptid culture is unique and all-encompassing. It’s an intersection of nerd culture, science culture, biker culture, park rangers — it’s an eclectic group.”

The Squonk is a legendary creature from Pennsylvania's hemlock forests, first described in the 1910 book “Fearsome Creatures of the Lumber Woods.” It is a pig-like animal with wet, loose folds of skin that make it look like it is melting. According to folklore, the Squonk can transform into a puddle of tears when it is scared or saddened by its own ugliness.

Fogle said he started the festival because no one else was celebrating Pennsylvania's unique cryptid.

“It’s Pennsylvania’s cryptid, and no one was doing a Squonk event, so I thought why not right here in Johnstown?” Fogle said. “People always want something to do in Johnstown, and I think sometimes you have to make something to do. So, I decided to put my money where my mouth is.”

Fogle sold art and T-shirts featuring his own visual interpretation of the Squonk. He estimated the festival's growth reflects a broader interest in cryptid culture and community events that bring people together.

For Hoopman and her family, the trip to Johnstown was also a chance to explore local history. They planned to visit the Johnstown Flood Museum after the festival.

The event highlights how grassroots festivals can draw visitors from across the country, supporting local economies and showcasing regional culture.

What is the Squonk?

The Squonk is a mythical creature said to live in Pennsylvania's hemlock forests. It is described as a pig-like animal with loose, wrinkled skin that appears to be melting. The creature is known for its sadness about its own appearance and can dissolve into a puddle of tears when frightened or upset.

How did Squonkapalooza start?

Joe Fogle, a Johnstown illustrator, founded Squonkapalooza four years ago after noticing that no other event celebrated Pennsylvania's cryptid. He built a network of traveling art vendors and secured Bottle Works as the venue.

Why does this matter for Iowa?

Iowa has its own cryptid traditions and a growing interest in community festivals. The success of Squonkapalooza shows how local events can attract tourism and support small businesses, a model that could work for Iowa towns looking to boost their economies.