Winter Carnival legend continues

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For those not familiar with the St. Paul Winter Carnival, which wrapped up on Sunday — it’s been an annual tradition in St. Paul since 1886.

Some of the family-time events include parades, ice sculptures, the famed medallion hunt and snow sculptures.

The carnival has also gained popularity for its legendary characters — King Boreas, Queen of the Snows, Klondike Kate, the North, South, East and West princes and princesses and of course the Vulcans.

The legend of the St. Paul Winter Carnival goes like this:

King Boreas, the king of the winds, granted the powers and force to his four brothers — the power of the four winds.

While traveling, King Boreas came upon the winter paradise known as Minnesota. King Boreas so mesmerized by the city that he deemed it the winter playground of the “Realm of Boreas.”

But elsewhere, Vulcanus Rex, the god of fire and his army of Vulcans, who were the enemies of King Boares, were contemplating how to overthrow King Boreas with the head and roar of their forces.

Despite the Vulcans’ threats, King Boreas held a festive carnival to celebrate the winter and his beloved city.

So, for ten days the carnival was filled with joy and merriment by all, until the tenth day when the Vulcans stormed the ice castle and overthrew King Boreas. King Boreas bid farewell to his beloved St. Paul until the frost of winter once again prevailed over the fire of summer.

“We play roles to make that legend come alive for people,” South Wind Princess and Woodbury resident Nicole Turner said.

“You’re in this role to help a community that is so proud of their city,” North Wind Princess and Woodbury resident Sara Steigauf, said. “You’re being able to play that role and fulfill that legend for people — you make this whole mystery come alive.”

- Amber Kispert