Einstein the “Snow Camel” will appear at Hellertown Light Up Night at Dimmick Park this Friday, Nov. 23.
One of the most famous camels ever to call Pennsylvania home will appear at Hellertown Light Up Night this Friday, Nov. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m., thanks to a suggestion by a local resident and support from local business sponsors.
Einstein the “snow camel” became an Internet meme and overnight celebrity after many motorists took and shared pictures of him along Rt. 309 during a snowstorm last week.
As the highway became snow-covered, Einstein’s owners–Peaceable Kingdom Petting Zoo of Bucks County–pulled over near the Sellersville exit and briefly let him out of his trailer so they could make it up a hill as he walked alongside the vehicle on the shoulder.
They clarified later in a Facebook post that reports that Einstein–who weighs approximately 1,600 pounds–was made to pull the trailer were untrue, and that his health was never in jeopardy due to the unusual series of circumstances.
“Contrary to what was reported last night, Einstein was not walking/wandering up and down Route 309,” Peaceable Kingdom said in a post Friday. “Nor did he break out of his trailer after getting stuck and he was not used to pull the van. He was purposely taken out of the trailer for safety reasons and was tethered so he could not ‘wander.'”
Ultimately, Peaceable Kingdom decided to turn around rather than attempt to drive in the snow to Philadelphia, where Einstein was scheduled to appear at a Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia event at the Kimmel Center Thursday night.
By then his fame was on the rise, and that has continued in the days since, with a Bethlehem bar even naming a cocktail in his honor.
Einstein is scheduled to appear at Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub Friday, Dec. 7 from 5 to 7 p.m.
But Hellertown is getting him before then, Jessica O’Donnell of the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce confirmed Tuesday. The chamber along with the borough hosts the annual Light Up Night event, which this year is being held in Dimmick Park.
Einstein and other animals from the petting zoo will also make an appearance at Thrifty Car Sales, 241 S. 3rd St. (Rt. 309), Coopersburg, on Friday, Nov. 23 from noon to 2 p.m.
The idea to bring him to Hellertown and Light Up Night originated with resident Roseann Wargo, in a Facebook comment on a story about the “snow camel.”
After suggesting that the camel could appear at Light Up Night, Wargo said she inquired about what it would cost to bring him to the borough, and then put the chamber in touch with Peaceable Kingdom.
The chamber then got to work securing sponsors to help fund the appearance.
There will be an opportunity for photos with Einstein, who will be making many appearances in the near future, Peaceable Kingdom said in a post on their Facebook page.
