Zombies, ghouls, and goblins invade Columbia at Albatwitch Festvial

Zombies, ghouls, and goblins from Field of Screams invaded downtown Columbia during Saturday’s Albatwitch Festival. The festival, inspired by the mythical(?) albatwitch creature, featured a zombie beauty contest, a tour of the Columbia Market House dungeon, live music, a pie judging contest, refreshments, lectures at the museum, and other attractions.

As seen in this video, festival attendees didn’t mind the zombie invasion, as everyone danced to “The Monster Mash.”

(If possible, adjust your YouTube Quality setting to 720p60 for optimal viewing.)

We caught up with this couple outside the Columbia Historic Society building.

This guy showed up to participate in the zombie beauty contest.

(And he is truly beautiful, no?)

Although the albatwitch didn’t show, his mutated cousin did, right in front of Tacos to Go.

Man of Mystery Rick Fisher, one of the event’s organizers.

Looks like Field of Screams ghouls travel in style.

Cookie Morehart danced to the music, to the stunned amazement of the ghouls.

A splendid time was had by all – humans and ghouls alike.

More dancing in the street by humans – and ghouls.

Music in the street with amplified acoustic instruments.

Another zombie beauty contestant

This ghoul needs to work on his scare factor. Those kids don’t look frightened at all.

Chris Vera. president of the Columbia Historic Preservation Society – and another event organizer – gave tours of the dungeon under the market house.

Before the tour group descended into the dungeon, an eerie light suddenly enveloped the area . . .

. . . and intensified . . .

. . . as if another spiritual realm was breaking through into ours . . .

Then, the light quickly subsided and disappeared, as if it had never been there at all.

Once underground, Chris told tales of hauntings in the dungeon.

(Look at the third light in the row along the right side. That light is out – keep that in mind.)

Chris told how people have heard chains rattling in the dungeon’s various rooms and have sensed ghostly presences. The benign spirit of a little blonde girl, Katie Durberow, is said to frequent the market house. People at market have reported feeling a child’s hand holding theirs and have heard the sound of jacks being played.