ENUMCLAW, Wash. — As if you couldn't tell from all of the pointed hats and brooms for sale, it's Witches Night Out in Enumclaw, an annual street fest for mostly women to experience a supernatural sisterhood.
But there's more than witchcraft at play on Cole Street.
"We're not just asking for witches to come," organizer Elizabeth Morgan said. "Everyone is welcome."
Everyone. Even a group of horrifying half-human horned creatures. Members of local groups Krampus Seattle and Krampus Bremerton.
"Krampus is supposed to be scary," said Eric Morley. "But it's also fun performing Krampus because it's fun to engage with people and be somebody who I'm not in my corporate life."
Carved out of wood and imported from Austria, Krampus masks are an art form. The Christmas character dates back hundreds of years and is often described as the bad cop to St. Nicholas's good cop.
"If you don't behave or you don't study hard or you don't this and that, then Krampus is going to come grab you and beat your backside and take you away," is how John Hurst described the character.
There's little fear at this fest. Just a lot of laughter. It turns out Krampus is the ultimate photo opportunity.
And for reasons some of us may never understand, kids can't wait to get up close for a picture. Though some have to drum up the courage.
"I love watching kids conquer their fears," Hurst said. "That's the rewarding part and I think that's exciting."
Morley says one of the reasons for the rising popularity of Krampus is that he's become an antidote to an over commercialized holiday season.
"It's something that people can enjoy, let loose and have fun with as an alternative to making huge meals, buying lots of presents, getting people together and throwing huge parties," Morley said.
That said, a Krampus or three does make for an instant party. And unlike the traditional character, not one of these has any intention of stealing naughty children.
"Krampus just cares about one thing," Morley said. "Are you naughty or are you nice? He doesn't care about your politics. He doesn't care about your faith. He doesn't care about your money, just if you're naughty or nice. And I think in a politically divided world like we have today boiling something down to that level of simplicity is more of what we need."
If you'd like to encounter a Krampus or two, they will be visiting Nile Nightmares Haunted House in Montlake Terrace on Saturday. The big blow-out is Krampusnacht Bremerton. That happens December 1st in downtown Bremerton.
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