DNYUZ
  • Home
  • News
    • U.S.
    • World
    • Politics
    • Opinion
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Science
  • Entertainment
    • Culture
    • Music
    • Movie
    • Television
    • Theater
    • Gaming
    • Sports
  • Tech
    • Apps
    • Autos
    • Gear
    • Mobile
    • Startup
  • Lifestyle
    • Arts
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Travel
No Result
View All Result
DNYUZ
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Save the Squonk: Pennsylvania’s ugliest, saddest creature to be celebrated at weekend festival

August 2, 2025
in News
Save the Squonk: Pennsylvania’s ugliest, saddest creature to be celebrated at weekend festival
497
SHARES
1.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Pennsylvania’s ugliest creature — a depressed fictional pig named the Squonk — will take center stage Saturday at Squonkapalooza, a festival drawing in people across the country to celebrate the mythical being and make it smile.

Squonkapalooza organizers Lisa Russell and Joe Fogle described the Squonk as “saddest of folklore creatures,” who “cries constantly because it’s so ugly.”

“It has loose fitting skin and warts. Its closest relative is the boar or pig,” Russell, who dresses up as the official Squonk mascot, told The Post.

Squonk costume at Squonkapalooza.
The Squonk is the “saddest of folklore creatures,” who “cries constantly because it’s so ugly,” Squonkapalooza organizers told The Post. Squonkapalooza

“It has two webbed feet only on the left side,” added Fogle.

The origin of the Squonk — said to reside in the Keystone State’s Hemlock Forest — dates back to 1910, with a book called “Fearsome Creatures of the Lumberwoods” — and Pennsylvanians have adopted the beast as their own.

“It’s the cryptid we can claim as our own. It’s not big and scary like Bigfoot or Mothman. They hear its story, feel sad, pity him, but they want to lift him up like they would their friends and neighbors,” Fogle said.

This is the third annual Squonkapalooza, which is held at the Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center in the southwestern city of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and welcomes people of all ages, who travel far and wide for the one-of-a-kind festivities.

“People have told us they’ve come from the west coast, east coast, deep south and far north. Several of our vendors also travel from out of state. Including me, when we started this festival I was living in Washington, then Colorado and now Illinois,” said Russell.

Photo of two people in costume at Squonkapalooza 2024.  One is dressed as Elvis Presley, the other as Mothman Randy Savage.
This is the third annual Squonkapalooza, which is held in the southwestern city of Johnstown. Squonkapalooza

The event includes a Compliment Contest, where participants can try and cheer up the ever-sad Squonk.

“It can range from a simple pick-me-up, like ‘I love you Squonk,’ Fogle said, but “some have written poems, sang songs.

“Basically anything that can uplift the Squonk.”

The post Save the Squonk: Pennsylvania’s ugliest, saddest creature to be celebrated at weekend festival appeared first on New York Post.

Tags: FestivalslegendsPennsylvaniapigs
Share199Tweet124Share
Europe Scrambles for Details as Trump and Putin Prepare to Meet
News

A Sidelined Europe Seeks a Voice as Trump and Putin Prepare to Meet

by New York Times
August 9, 2025

Worried about being sidelined at an upcoming summit meeting between President Trump and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, European ...

Read more
Music

4 Underrated Hip-Hop Albums That Aged Well and Deserve Way More Love Today

August 9, 2025
News

A stranger came to help me out when I was stranded on the side of the road. He had a profound impact on my life.

August 9, 2025
Environment

As Canyon fire winds down, heat wave bears down on Southern California

August 9, 2025
News

Man arrested following multi-state police chase on I-65

August 9, 2025
Justice Department targets New York attorney general, a Trump foe. Here’s what to know

Justice Department targets New York attorney general, a Trump foe. Here’s what to know

August 9, 2025
Jen Pawol breaks MLB’s gender barrier as the first female umpire to work a regular-season game

Jen Pawol breaks MLB’s gender barrier as the first female umpire to work a regular-season game

August 9, 2025
Former Pirates Manager Defends Aaron Boone Despite Yankees’ Struggles

Former Pirates Manager Defends Aaron Boone Despite Yankees’ Struggles

August 9, 2025

Copyright © 2025.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • U.S.
    • World
    • Politics
    • Opinion
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Science
  • Entertainment
    • Culture
    • Gaming
    • Music
    • Movie
    • Sports
    • Television
    • Theater
  • Tech
    • Apps
    • Autos
    • Gear
    • Mobile
    • Startup
  • Lifestyle
    • Arts
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Travel

Copyright © 2025.