An exhibit at the Cuyahoga Valley Historical Museum sheds light on the story of the Peninsula Python. Peninsula will celebrate Python Day July 19 in the village.

Photo: Ken Crisafi

At least that’s what some people think.

The tale of the Peninsula Python has been told since the summer of 1944, when some residents reported finding strange tracks on their property. Others said they saw the creature, a huge snake estimated to be about 15 to 18 feet long, that was rumored to have escaped from a traveling circus.

Now Peninsula is holding a day of events celebrating the wily creature whose fate is unknown. Peninsula Python Day is July 19 and features activities taking place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Main Street and throughout downtown.

According to a history of the python written by Randy Bergdorf of the Peninsula Library and Historical Society, those who said they saw the python or evidence of its existence hold true to the story today. Many others think the story was a hoax perpetrated by Peninsula resident and writer Robert Bordner, whose account of the story appeared in the November 1945 issue of Atlantic Monthly.

Whether it’s true or not, the python has turned into a symbol for the village. Artist Honore Guilbeau Cooke created the mural of the Peninsula Python that was installed in 1970 at the Peninsula Library. Cooke also designed a logo marking the 50th anniversary in 1994, and it is now on T-shirts being sold in the village.

Ronda Russell, of the Downtown Emporium, is coordinating Python Day along with Victoria Mumper for the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. Russell said the village once hosted a smaller scale festival honoring the python, but it was nothing like this year’s event is shaping up to be.

“We’ve had two Harry Potter [festivals] and we learned how to do something,” Russell said. “We thought we’d like to have our own event in the middle of the summer. Nobody else has a python. It’s an absolutely fabulous story and it’s true, for the most part.”

Russell said storefronts throughout the village will each have their own decorated python statue on display.

“I’m calling mine Dolly Python,” Russell said. “She’s all bejeweled.”

She added the village may make the day an annual event.

“I’m really tickled with the way it’s being received,” she said.

Here’s a rundown of events taking place to mark Peninsula Python Day:

• Heritage Farm, 6050 Riverview Road, will host a Python Scavenger Hunt throughout the day. A pie-eating contest will take place at 1:30 p.m.
• Peninsula Library, 6105 Riverview Road, will host live snakes from the Akron Zoo at 11:30 a.m., as well as music in the gazebo with Alison Rae from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• Reminiscing from those who were around to hear about and see the python firsthand will take place at the GAR Hall, 1785 Main St. Python drinks and appetizers also will be available.
• Boston Town Hall, 1775 Main St., will have a display on “Paths of the Python” and games and food on the second floor. On the lower level, visitors can add a section to a python being constructed.
• Yellow Creek Trading Co., 1685 Main St., will feature snake painting on faces, arms and hands as well as gummy snakes to eat.
• The Log Cabin Gallery, 1671 Main St., will feature the music of guitarist John Mosey from 1 to 3 p.m. and juggling by Mister O from 2 to 3 p.m. Erika Hansen will give a lampworking demonstration from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
• Park Place, 1593 Main St., will host rangers from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park with “Snakes and Frogs and More! Oh My!” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nature note cards also can be created during that time, and Tunes Along the Trail will play from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• The Downtown Emporium, 1595 Main St., will lead visitors in games in front of the store. Python T-shirts and coloring books will be for sale.
• Peninsula Art Academy, 1600 W. Mill St., will feature the music of Barry B from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Elements Gallery, 1619 W. Mill St., will display “All the Animals That Got Away,” a show of works by Pat Rader.
• A Python Costume Parade will begin at 3 p.m. at the Downtown Emporium and head down Main Street. Prizes will be awarded for originality, design and technique.

For more details on Peninsula Python Day, go to www.explorepeninsula.com.