---

The devilish Krampus returns to Asbury Park’s downtown this weekend.

St. Nick’s counterpart from German and Austrian 15th century folklore, the horned figure who punishes misbehaved children has his own day of recognition – Krampusnacht, celebrated on Dec 5.

Locally, the Naughty List is being compiled in time for this weekend’s pre celebration hosted by Paranormal Books and Curiosities.

Kicking off at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Krampus Asbury Park is a two-day annual event that transform the downtown into an Alpine Village.

“Believe it or not, there are Christmas monsters in folklore all over the world,” event organizer Kathy Kelly, owner of Paranormal Books & Curiosities said in a written statement. “While these festivities go on all over Europe very few cities in America are strange enough to welcome Krampus to their streets [but] we know Asbury is.”

Last year the inaugural event attracted over 200 people, many donning their rendition of the mythical figure. This year, particular focus is being paid to the creative and underground vibe of the Krampus folklore, Kelly said.

Krampus Asbury Park includes a full lineup of storytelling, a filmmaking, photo opps, and “just plain getting chased by a monster,” Kelly said.

Highlights include the Unleashing and the Tales of Krampus guided downtown tour in search of old and new Krampus sightings.

Krampus is expanding to include a poster, tattoo and mask making contests as well as the return of the locally made Krampus short films, being unveiled at The ShowRoom.

Below is the Krampus Asbury Park schedule:

Friday 12/2

6:30 pm Pictures with Yeti & Krampus at Paranormal Books & Curiosities – proceeds benefitting the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties

7:30 pm Film Festival at The ShowRoom [707 Cookman Ave] – screening of the #KrampusAP contest shorts

Saturday 12/3

Noon Sidewalk Sale and Specials Begin throughout the Downtown. Go to www.paranormalbooksnj.com for participating businesses

1:00 pm Bring Your Own mask Contest

1:30 pm  Meet last year’s Krampus [photo op]

2:00 pm The Reading of The Naughty List

3:00 pm Guided Tales of Krampus Tour

3:45 pm Tattoo Contest [details on website]

4:15 pm 2017 Poster reveal and the Unveiling of the Official Mask by Meg Wilbur

4:30 pm Krampus Caroling

4:45 pm Arrival of Saint Nick & Father Christmas

5:00 pm Line up of the Krampus on Cookman Avenue

5:15 pm Krampus March to Kennedy Park

5:30 pm Unleashing of the Krampus

5:45 pm Crowing of Krampus AP  [prizes awarded]

6:00 pm Krampus AP After Party

To add a name to The Naughty List, e-mail full names to info@paranormalbooksnj.com

To participate in the ongoing photo contest, tag your shots with #KrampusAP on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The Best Photo Prize winner will be announced Dec. 18.

For contest details and more event information, visit paranormalbooksnj.com.

[2015 Krampus event photos courtesy of Paranormal Books and Curiosities]

————————————————————-

Follow the Asbury Park Sun on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Asbury Park Sun is affiliated with the triCityNews newspaper.

---