Photos: Christmas creatures light up in Adams County

Fire shoots out the mouth of "Puff" The Magic Dragon, a new metal sculpture piece created by Jeff Asper of Hamilton Township, Adams County. Visitors are invited to view the sculptures year-round at 351 Green Ridge Rd., New Oxford, Pa.

Krampus, one of Jeff Asper's first holiday-themed sculptures, was installed in 2016. Krampus originates in central European folklore and is described as a horned, anthropomorphic figure who is "half-goat, half-demon" and punishes children who have misbehaved, in contrast with Saint Nicholas, who rewards the well-behaved with gifts. Asper uses re-purposed materials for his sculptures and works on commissions along with his personal projects.

Belsnickel is described as a grumpy Christmas gift-bringing figure in German folklore and is also preserved in Pennsylvania Dutch communities. In his left hand he carries a switch to hit naughty children, but also has pockets full of cakes, candies, and nuts for good children.

Stúfur, also known as "Stubby" due to his slight stature, is one of the 13 Icelandic Yule Lads. He holds up a strand of Christmas lights as he sits on the back of Jólakötturinn, the Yule Cat.

A fire-breathing bird sculpture is on display amid an arrangement of colorful Christmas trees on December 9, 2020.

Flames shoot out of "Puff" the fire breathing dragon on Wednesday, December 9, 2020. Puff, who is technically a wyvern, or legendary bipedal winged dragon, is lit and on display during certain times of the year. (Currently on most Saturdays from 6-8 p.m.)

One of several outdoor cats roams the festive grounds at Jeff Asper's workshop in Hamilton Township on December 9, 2020.

Kertasnýkir, or Candle Stealer, is one of the 13 Yule Lads in Iceland. According to lore, on December 24 he follows children around to take their candles and eat them.

Installed in 2018, the Frau Perchta sculpture is a Christmas witch who originates in the folklore of Bavaria and Austria. She was said to roam the countryside at midwinter and to enter homes during the twelve days before Christmas.

A miniature bridge and house made out of wood are on display on December 9, 2020. The display, which was created by one of Jeff Asper's colleagues, is for the Huldufólk, or hidden people, who are elves in Icelandic and Faroese folklore. The Huldufólk are supernatural beings that live in nature and look and behave similar to humans but live in a parallel world. In Iceland, people create houses for them and leave food for them on Christmas as well as other times of the year as offerings.