He looks sort of like a baby Bigfoot, and he's rumored to live somewhere in the Columbia area. He also loves apples. He's the Albatwitch, and he'll be celebrated at the ninth annual Albatwitch Day, to be held on Saturday, Oct. 8. The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Columbia River Park, 41 Walnut St.

"This is a multifaceted event," said Rick Fisher, who is organizing the festival with Chris Vera. "There is so much happening."

Although the official festival does not begin until 11 a.m., Vera noted that Ryan Sexton will be giving tours of the dungeon below the Columbia Market House, 15 S. Third St., from 9 a.m. to noon. "It's a nice way to give people a taste of the Market House before they head to the river," he stated.

The festival will feature speakers, authors, live music, vendors and more. The Susquehanna National Heritage Area will offer free Wilderness Inquiry Canoemobile tours on the Susquehanna River from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring a fleet of 24-foot, 10-passenger canoes. Trolley tours will run throughout the day, giving participants a chance to hear some of the history of the area. From 7 to 9 p.m., haunted trolley tours will be featured. "We'll also have 'Alba' at the festival," Vera said. "She'll be dressed up like the Albatwitch, and she'll carry a basket of apples. People can take selfies with her."

Vera estimated there will be more than 50 vendors on-site for the festival, featuring everything from handmade jewelry to food. "We'll have a variety of nonprofits and organizations represented, including Raven Ridge Wildlife Center, which is always very popular," said Fisher. "They'll be bringing some of their animals." The Indian Steps Museum will have a table, and the Lancaster PA Ghostbusters will be on-site. Local churches, including Holy Trinity Catholic Church and St. Paul's Episcopal Church, will operate food stands. Live music will be performed by Dillweed, Stone Soup, Sound Method and Tang Moon.

Inside Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, a variety of speakers will present programs. Speakers will include Mary Fabian, founder of the Pennsylvania Bigfoot Project; Eric Altman, executive director of the PA Bigfoot Society; and Tim Renner, creator of the "Strange Familiars" podcast.

Vera noted that Albatwitch Day draws visitors from all over the East Coast, as far away as Virginia, New York and New Jersey. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Columbia Historic Preservation Society, located at 21 N. Second St.

"You'll have a good time at this event," Fisher said. "If you don't want to learn more about the Albatwitch, you can listen to music or eat or shop or take a canoe ride or a trolley tour. There's really something for everybody."

For more information on Albatwitch Day, visit https://albatwitchday.com or search for "Albatwitch Day" on Facebook.