Bigfoot, Mothman and the Loch Ness Monster — these creepy creatures have haunted folklore and been the subject of scary stories told around campfires and at sleepovers for ages. Now, these beasts have come to life in Ypsilanti.
On Oct. 24, 2025, the Ypsilanti Freighthouse hosted the first-ever Ypsilanti Cryptid Festival, a collaboration of more than 12 horror-themed vendors, musicians and filmmakers. The event ran from 4-10 p.m., including a showcase of horror films produced by local creators to close out the event.
How it all began
EMU alum and previous reporter for The Eastern Echo Krista Kangas originally pitched the Ypsilanti Cryptid Festival as an effort to promote her short film "Nerd Series," a collection of clips from a longer-form series she had created. The festival was also intended to be a chance to present the history of cryptids and local folktales to Ypsi residents.
However, Krista's outline of the event changed after a chance meeting with the music group Fangs and Twang while they performed at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse.
"I already knew vendors in the area through being a journalist. Then I met them [Fangs and Twang], and it all started coming together," Kangas said.
Fangs and Twang, a musical trio based in Michigan, performed for the dressed-up attendees throughout the festival. Their newest album "You Monster" released in 2025. Alongside this, their 2023 release "Seger Snowman" is accompanied by a friendly Yeti in its cover art.
How it happened
Alongside Kangas and the other filmmakers, over a dozen artisans participated in the festival, selling handmade goods, artwork and books.
Ken MacGregor, an speculative fiction and dark horror author who tabled the event, has been writing and selling his work for over a decade.
"I love cryptids and monsters. The overall feel of the event was great, and I'd love to see an event like this happen again," MacGregor said.
Horror and monster-themed art, while the highlight, was not the only type of handmade art at the festival. Bracelets for Bey, created by Virginia Luke, is a project that began in September 2024. After Bey, Luke's pet dog, was diagnosed with her first cancerous spot on her stomach, Luke created the Bracelets for Bey Etsy shop with the goal of raising money to pay for Bey's treatments. Since the creation of the shop, Bey has undergone three surgeries.
"She's [Bey] doing really awesome now. She's had a lot of veterinary appointments and procedures throughout the months. Everything I make goes directly towards paying off those steep bills," said Luke.
Krista Kangas' own film "Nerd Series" is a satirical portrayal of the film industry and has been shown in film festivals across the country, including ones in New York and Kentucky. While the film cannot be viewed by the public outside of admission to one of these festivals, it will be available in its entirety on YouTube once it is no longer eligible for festival consideration.
While the Ypsilanti Cryptid Festival is a one-time event, Kangas still recommends that members of the community who are passionate about the genre get involved. For those interested in collaborating with Kangas for potential events in the future, the filmmaker and journalist can be contacted through her LinkedIn at "Krista Kangas."
More events in Ypsilanti
For fans of all things Halloween, Ypsilanti residents can look forward to a handful of upcoming events in the area.
Spook Boose — Dates vary between Oct. 3-31, 2025
Located at This, That & the ODDer Things, an artisan and handmade goods shop in downtown Ypsilanti, the "Spook Boose," a mini haunt and selfie booth, will be available for customers itching for a scare. Dates vary between Oct. 3-31.
All Hallows Illumination of Frog Island — Nov. 1, 2025
Frog Island Park, located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, is hosting an all-ages Halloween-themed event. Participants can explore an artisan market and are encouraged to bring their own jack-o-lanterns.
Othello — Dates vary between Nov. 13-22, 2025
One of Shakespeare's classic tragedies is getting an inclusive and accessible revamp in a collaboration between Petie the Dog Productions and Brevity Shakespeare, two theater companies based in the Ypsilanti area. Loyal to the class tale, performances will be located at the Riverside Arts Center in downtown Ypsi.
