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Kate Edmondson, owner, and Jes McMillan, creative director, partnered with the Merry Krampus in Columbus to bring the famous folklore figure to Dayton.
The Merry Krampus event in Columbus was held on Dec. 1 with food, crafts, costumes and a visit from Krampus. Edmondson and McMillan attended the event in preparation.
“It was so fun. They packed the house. There were tons of people. Lots of kids in costumes,” Edmondson said.
The Baby Krampus event will be held at tend&flourish Saturday, Dec. 14, from 5-10 p.m. and is a family-friendly event that is for those who “don’t fit into the cookie-cutter holiday scene.”
“It is different. There really isn’t an alternative holiday celebration that we know of, so we wanted to open that market,” McMillan said.
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The Krampus is a tradition originating in central Europe. He is often depicted as a half-demon, half-goat with horns who punishes children who are bad at Christmas time. Basically, Krampus is the opposite of jolly St. Nick.
The Baby Krampus is a fundraiser for The Mosaic Institute, Colony Cats (& dogs) and local artists. A part of the proceeds made will go to these organizations, and all the tenants will be open at tend&flourish offering services for $1 a minute. This includes massages, tarot card readings, sound therapy and more.
The vendors for the event are being referred to as The Dark Dozen as they will be selling items that are not on the traditional Christmas list.
“You’ll still be buying Christmas ornaments for your tree, but it might just be skulls or something like that. It’s Christmas stuff, but it’s for people who really like ‘Nightmare Before Christmas,’” McMillan said.
There is no cover charge and everyone who attends will get a raffle ticket to win a Krampus Beer Stein created by local artist Megan Smallwood. Mother Stewart’s Brews from Springfield will be selling beer. Food and live entertainment will be part of the festivities.
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Krampus will also be making an appearance at the event. Anyone can get a picture with him for free or they can buy a professional photography package from Namaskar Photography. For the kids there will be a DIY Baby Krampus horns craft for $5.
“The event is for ‘everyone else.’ Let’s just say that. People can assign their own meaning to that,” McMillan said.
Tend&flourish is at 1906 Brown St. in Dayton. For more information and a full list of vendors visit the Facebook event page.
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