Starting January 26, it's party time in St. Paul, Minnesota! The Ringling Bros. circus used to proclaim itself the biggest show on earth. Well, St. Paul is proclaiming its Winter Carnival to be the biggest and oldest winter festival in the nation having carried on the tradition since 1886! Rumor, legend, and fantasy surround the carnival starting with its inception in 1886 supposedly the result of a slur made by an eastern reporter about Minnesota's weather being uninhabitable. The Legend explains the true purpose of the carnival: the Vulcan King and his Krewe chase away King Boreas, the king of the winter winds. The Vulcans are notorious and have even been sued for sexual harassment much to their chagrin. They are kings of the reveler bad guys. The carnival lasts for 10 days and is the equivalent of our Mardi Gras in its celebration and crowd appeal. Attractions include the ice palace, a giant snow slide, an ice maze, Klondike Kate performances (another legend brought to life), treasure hunts at the Capitol, medallion hunts in the city based on clues published in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, car races on Lake Phalen, concerts, a hot dish tent, ice and snow sculpture contests, and much more. Even when the temperatures are frigid, the crowds come to see the Ice Palace light show (they are not built every year) and to tour a castle every bit as wonderful as the one in Superman's movie. Oh, and not to be forgotten, the Winter Carnival button can be purchased for only $5 to receive discounts and entrance to some affairs!
Who: All ages
When: January 26 through February 4
Where: St. Paul, Minnesota with many events at Harriet Island
Why: Because stoic Scandinavians know how to have a good time
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