Downtown to celebrate Krampusnacht tradition on Saturday
By Nicole Scott
Downtown St. Joseph is taking this Saturday to celebrate a longstanding Eastern European holiday tradition.
This Saturday, Dec. 14, Downtown area businesses will celebrate the folklore surrounding “The Krampus”, a character who comes before the holiday to “punish” bad children before Santa visits the good children on Christmas.
This Krampusnacht will be the fourth year that Downtown St. Joseph has participated in the holiday tradition.
“Krampusnacht” is the German word for “Krampus Night” which is a holiday tradition in Eastern Europe where adults dress up as Krampus and scare children so that they will be well-behaved prior to the holidays.
Downtown has a bunch of specials and events for this Saturday:
- From 2 to 5 p.m. there are Krampus-themed specials at area businesses and activities
- From 4 to 5 p.m. there will be an opportunity to take a picture with “The Krampus” at Mokaska Coffee, 705 Edmond St.
- At 5 p.m. there will be a Haunted Holiday Story Time with Jay Claywell at Mokaska Coffee
- At 5:30 p.m. there will be a Krampus Parade from Mokaska to Civic Center Park, 900 to 1200 Francis St., from Felix St. and 10th St.
- At 6 p.m. there will be a Krampusnacht Fire Show by Pyro Flow in Civic Center Park
- At 7 p.m. there will be a Krampusnacht Ball at The Metropolitan, 107 S. 6th St., this is a ticketed event
“We have a lot of German heritage in St. Joe, so I think it’s a great fit to honor an old tradition here,” co-organizer Matt Todd said. “Sometimes folks see the horns and think devilry, but that is not the intention. The Krampus is a combination of scary and fun that people of all ages enjoy.”
“Krampusnacht is just one part of a much larger ongoing holiday celebration downtown. There will be something for everyone that day but be sure to stick around for the Krampus Parade that leads to a fire show by Pyro Flow,” Todd continued. “There’s something very special about a spooky night parade!”
For more information about the 4th annual Krampusnacht celebration in Downtown St. Joseph this Saturday, contact Matt Todd at 816-351-1043 or email foxtatic@gmail.com.
