ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are no strangers to creative alternate identities, but this summer, they’re turning to Pennsylvania folklore for inspiration.
A mythical creature once said to roam the state’s forests is now stepping into the baseball spotlight.
It’s sparked plenty of conversation and left many of us wondering tonight: “What in the world is this? What is a Squonk?”
Before it became the IronPigs’ newest identity, the Squonk has lived for more than a century in Pennsylvania folklore.
“The Squonk is Pennsylvania’s cryptid,” said Co-Host of Squonkapalooza, Joe Fogle. “It’s not a big scary monster. It’s just this sad little ball of flesh is kind of how you could say it.”
First appearing in early lumberjack folklore, the Squonk is known as a shy creature who crawls around the Hemlock forest weeping.
“The Squonk just wants to exist, but then doesn’t want to exist because he realizes how sad and ugly he’d look. So, he can cry himself into a puddle of his own tears and completely out of existence if he wants to,” Fogle explained.
Now, that unique piece of state history is getting a new life, thanks to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
“We were looking for, you know, a mythical idea, something that would be pretty cool, resonate with our fan base, and something with a local connection. And then we came across the Squonk,” said IronPigs Media Relations Manager Sam Jellinek.
The team will transform that legend into a family-friendly celebration.
Courtesy of the IronPigs
“What can we do to cheer the Squonk up? What if we showed the Squonk that it is lovable?” said Jellinek.
Fans will see the identity come to life on the field and beyond, with special Squonk-themed jerseys and caps, plus a full line of merchandise available at Coca-Cola Park and online.
Folklore experts say the Squonk has resonated because it reflects something relatable.
“The Squonk, something that’s misunderstood, unusual and odd. And a lot of people relate to that and, you know, the sadness of the Squonk,” said Fogle. “It’s part of our culture, part of our heritage, and that’s where a lot of these folklore stories come from.”
Fogle also helps bring that culture to life through Squonkapalooza in Johnstown; a growing festival dedicated to cryptids and folklore that blends vendors, storytelling and community celebration of Pennsylvania’s unique legend.
From hemlock forests to home plate, the team hopes the hidden creature finally feels at home.
“This is our folklore. This is our legend. And it’s really cool that we can bring it to life,” said Jellinek.
Squonk night takes over Coca-Cola Park on Saturday, June 6 with first pitch at 6:35 p.m. against the Rochester Red Wings.
“All of us have a little bit of Squonk inside of us,” added Jellinek.
Tickets are available at IronPigsbaseball.com or by calling the Provident Bank Ticket Office at 610-841-PIGS
(7447).