Champ Day celebrates history of local monster celebrity

PORT HENRY | Sightings of Champ, the Lake Champlain lake monster, have been reported since humans have resided in the Adirondacks. From Indigenous Abenaki and Iroquois peoples' sightings to a 2019 sonar image taken by Director of the Champ Search group, Katy Elizabeth, more than 600 people have reported sightings of Champ. There are many homages to Champ including resolutions to protect the creature, passed by the New York state Assembly and Senate, in 1983. In Port Henry, Champ Day has been celebrated since 1985. "It's a celebration of our local monster celebrity here," Andrea Anesi, chairperson of the Moriah Chamber of Commerce Champ Day committee, said. In past years, the celebration was one day, but this year there will be an additional event, Aug. 5. Andy McDougall, a film collector from Plattsburgh, will show Monster from the Ocean Floor at Bulwaga Bay Beach. There will be a prize given for the best-themed outfit. Attendees can choose to dress in a beach, retro 1950s or monster theme. Festivities will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Champ Beach Park & Campground in Port Henry, on Aug. 6. For the first time, a shuttle will run from downtown Port Henry to Champ Beach Park, every 15 minutes, all day. Another new addition, added last year, is the Champ lure contest, where participants come up with a plan for how they would lure Champ out of the water for a photo. It can be anything from a catchy tune to a disguise. There is a category for kids and for adults. One of the long-standing traditions that will return is the cardboard boat race. "Kids come and they build a boat out of cardboard," Anesi said. "Then they test it in the waters of Lake Champlain in a race." All the materials are provided. To add to the excitement, the Moriah Chamber has also unveiled an exciting lineup of special guests, including leading paranormal researchers and the Hollywood filmmakers and stars behind the locally produced 'Lucy and the Lake Monster' movie. Movie co-authors and filmmakers, Richard Rossi and Kelly Tabor, along with young star Emma Pearson will take a break from filming to join the Champ Day fun and will be greeting guests from the Big Green Cryptocave Tent from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. They will be joined by Karac St. Laurent, researcher and documentary filmmaker for Crash-Course Cryptozoology, and Paul Bartholomew, a local author, investigator and archivist of cryptids, paranormal and the unknown, as the nationally renowned experts join in the historic Champ celebration. There will also be a number of vendors, in addition to downtown businesses, that will have sales and specials. "We have quite a number of makers and artisans the majority of which are planning to have at least a few champ-themed items available for sale in addition to their regular items," Anesi said. "I think there's going to be something for everyone." There will be a variety of food vendors including Moby Dick Fish Fry, Czech's Food Wagon, Mr. Ding-a-Ling ice cream truck and Adirondack Olyoeks. Admission to Champ Day is free, but donations are accepted. "Our goal is to grow this festival and really make it a big fun event for people to come, have a great experience and really get a look at our gorgeous area here," Anesi said. For more information visit https://www.porthenrymoriah.com/events-0. Separate from the traditional Champ Day: Lake Champlain Monster Festival celebration, world-renowned Champ Researcher and author Katy Elizabeth will host Champ Fest on Main Street in Port Henry, where there will be free live entertainment and tours of the Champ Search Research Vessel 'Kelpie II'. That event runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will also feature champ research equipment demos and a Children's Champity Hop Race. Admission is free and a portion of donations will go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Katy Elizabeth also announced a special lineup of guests, including Frenchy Crochet, from History Channel's Swamp People; Katy Elizabeth, Champ researcher and author and David Shealy, skunk ape researcher and marine treasure hunter.

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Champ Day celebrates history of local monster celebrity

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