Mill Race
Monster Festival
October 23–25, 2026
In 1974, something green and hairy was spotted in Columbus’s Mill Race Park. The story made the local papers, captured imaginations, and quietly became part of the city’s folklore. Now that legend returns as the Mill Race Monster Festival—a three-day celebration of art, storytelling, and delightfully strange creativity.
Through installations, performances, and hands-on experiences created by local artists, the park transforms into a living legend.
We’re still in the planning stages, so stay tuned as more details emerge. One thing we know for sure: it’s going to be earnestly weird.
Rooted in History
Read the actual newspaper articles reporting monster sightings in Columbus, Indiana, in 1974.
(The Republic: 11/2/74; 11/6/74; 11/8/74; 11/9/74; 11/11/74; 11/12/74; 11/20/74; 10/31/93; 10/31/03; 10/30/14; 3/12/2015; Indianapolis Star: 11/9/74; 11/10/74)
Paraholics
Thank you to Matthew Jackson for lending his expertise and resources to this project. Learn more about the history and lore of the Mill Race Monster at Paraholics.com.
Sighted at Ignite Columbus 👀
CAAC Executive Director Brooke Hawkins pitched the Mill Race Monster Festival at Ignite Columbus (hosted by the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce) on March 12, taking home 2nd Place and winning the Most Impactful award.
Festival Origins
The Columbus Area Arts Council began exploring the idea of a Mill Race Monster Festival in 2024 following the overwhelming response to The Monster Show exhibition at 411 Gallery. The exhibition marked the release of "The Mill Race Monster" comic by Kevin Zeigler and proved that this local legend still has creative energy.
The exhibition featured monster-inspired work by local artists Laurie Wright and Curtis Heartwell, alongside Zeigler’s original comic illustrations. What started as an exhibition quickly revealed something bigger: a shared appetite for storytelling, folklore, and art that feels uniquely Columbus.
Mill Race Monster Merch
Columbus Area Arts Council worked with Columbus-based artist Kevin Zeigler to produce "The Mill Race Monster" comic and a corduroy hat. Both are available for purchase at the Visit Columbus gift shop.
Partner Organizations
Columbus Area Arts Council is grateful for the Visit Columbus and Columbus Parks and Recreation for your partnership and collaboration early in our planning process.