Cleveland's 1st parade of the year

We were delayed. The city blocked off St. Clair early. A lot of parking spaces were snow covered, and some of the sidewalks were tamped down unto corrugated ice. The parade route was condensed. Better fotos are taken before a parade starts, when people are standing still, and are approachable. For many years, St. Patrick's parade was the first of the year. Since Kurentovanje has started up, it is the first. Lunar New Year would be about the same time, in Cleveland they have indoor activities; certainly the weather is a consideration.

Škoromati from Hrušica posing with Karma & Perun. These carnival characters are from nearer Italy. Scaramatte made appearances in 14C manuscripts. The Alps cross Slovenija and Italy. Perhaps these masks came from nearby Friuli (Furlanija), and became naturalised in southwest Slovenija. Venetians have carnival masks too, perhaps they are part of the same spread of phenomena.

Spearmen going about in circles, before they were marching double file. Not looking too martial.

Black plague doctor, Il Medico della Peste, from the modern Venetian carnival. 

Krampus, now this character is found in the north of Slovenija (Štajerska), and in neighboring Austrian Steiermark (Styria). Similar characters are in Bavaria, and elsewhere. But, they are active on the eve of St. Nicholas (6 December). But they are also anthropomorphic ethnological figures.

Whippersnapper

Kurenti with a young Kurent.

A red devil marches on.

also see past years click 

winter bleakness

Lakewood Solstice Steps. February 3rd.

a view of  downtown Cleveland over frozen lake

Air not so clear. The last half of January was frigid. One morning it hit -10°F.   Several days consecutively the high was below 20°F. There was goodly snow before, and during.  Winter came and has not relented in harshness.  Going outside to snap pictures is not too inviting, and not much color.

 [graphic not mine]

 

Volleyball nets are up.

 

This cowhound stays alert in Old Brooklyn, Cleveland O.