This weekend saw the ninth annual Krampus parade take place in Whitby. People dressed up as mythical horned creatures and gathered to celebrate festive folklore based on the Austrian tradition of half demon and half goat figures that ensure children are well-behaved at Christmas.
The Whitby Krampus Run took place in the North Yorkshire seaside town and saw around 50 people take part. Starting at the bandstand they made their way up Khyber Pass to the Whalebone Monument. Outfits for the parade includes full ‘fell outfits’ including wooden masks, and foxes and reindeer outfits.
The BBC reported that the organiser Laurence Mitchel said the event is designed to bring the European and local traditions together. Those taking part received a ‘salt blessing’ where they were showered in Whitby Sea Salt.
Others carry a model of the Whitby Wyrm, a dragon-like creature, which, legend has it, lived on the headlands by Whitby Abbey.
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There was also a fake snowball fight where there was a stand-off between a fox and the parade’s drummers, the Krampus Krumpettes.
Speaking about it organiser Mitchell said: “Krampus does the dirty work and St Nicholas gives out the rewards. We have reindeer heads on sticks, and an old dog cart that’s pulled up the hill that has music and speakers on.
“We also have drummers and fire performers, who will all stop along the way to perform for the crowds.”
Mr Mitchell discussed the beginnings of the event saying: “In 2003, we went to the Czech Republic and picked up this wooden figure who we didn’t know much about. The main point is about protecting villagers from winter, chasing out the winter in a way. Krampus were there to make sure all the villagers were safe and protected from evil.
“They then became companions of St Nicholas. It has become a good morality tale to remind children to be good. We did our research and thought – this will be fun! And it’s grown into what it is today.”
The event is supported by Yorkshire Coast BID, which supports the coastal towns of Whitby, Scarborough, Filey, Bridlington, Hornsea and Withernsea, and the villages in between.
Watch the Whitby Krampus Run 2023 below:
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