Inaugural Ypsilanti Cryptid Festival will celebrate creatures of folklore and rumor

From eerie tales to indie films and monster-themed rock, the Ypsilanti Cryptid Festival is set to bring a dose of the supernatural to Depot Town on Oct. 24 at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse, 100 Market Place. This will be the first local festival dedicated entirely to cryptids, a term referring to creatures whose existence is disputed or unsubstantiated, and to the creative community inspired by them.

The vision behind the festival belongs to local filmmaker Krista Kangas, who saw an opportunity to bring together local artists, storytellers, and fans of the uncanny under one roof. For Kangas, the event is as much about community spirit as it is about creatures that lurk on the edge of myth.

“I’ve been studying cryptids and UFO phenomena for years,” Kangas says. “I just want to educate people on these topics and create something fun for the community where we can learn, connect, and celebrate this stuff together.”

Event-goers will enjoy a brief film festival, presentations on cryptozoology and personal cryptid experiences, and a variety of vendors to shop and learn from. Ann Arbor cryptid-themed band Fangs and Twang will also perform.

“I just hope this can be memorable, and that everyone can have fun and dress up,” adds Kangas, who mentions she will be enjoying the event in costume herself. “Stuff like this just reminds me of the Ypsi spirit.”

While the concept began with Kangas, she’s quick to emphasize that the fest is a community effort. From local artists to small businesses and volunteers, several groups have lent their time and creativity to make the event possible. Among them are This, That and The Odder Things, Lucky Haskins Antique and Retro, and the Ypsilanti District Library. Kangas sees the fest as an opportunity to connect attendees to more local businesses.

“If you want to have a unique downtown and you don’t want to see empty buildings, you need to support the businesses there,” she says. “Even if everyone just purchases something small, that can help a small business owner a whole lot.” 

The Ypsilanti Cryptid Festival will take place Oct. 24 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse. This event is free to attend. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page. 

“I remember the first time going to conventions, and how excited I was to see so many things I like in one place,” Kangas says. “I hope to evoke that same experience with Cryptid Fest, and that this is something that people talk about for years to come.”