Carnival outsiders may know the Vulcans as the silly men in red tights, but what about the other cliques of costumed characters?
Sixteen fraternities of rank-and-file volunteers help spread the folklore of the St. Paul Winter Carnival, yet their roles aren’t always easily recollected. There’s a sisterhood of divas, a group of male genie look-alikes, and even a gang of gun-toting brothers.
Last fall, members of the so-called “uniform groups” came into the spotlight after rescuing two time-honored rites – a daytime parade and a regal coronation ceremony – from carnival extinction. The volunteers committed to raising $60,000 to save those events in 2007 and pledged to sponsor them for the following two years.
Most of these groups act like lifelong alumni associations, open to anyone who has portrayed the legend characters. And most have representation on the Uniform Groups Council, which serves as a liaison to the St. Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation, which produces the festival.
Here’s our crib sheet on the various carnival factions:
The Star of Boreas: Members of this club have reigned as King Boreas, the monarch who builds his icy kingdom in St. Paul after stumbling upon its winter paradise of seven hills. Usually, Boreas is portrayed by a middle-aged man who has the time and money to devote to year-round appearances.
The Former Queens Club: Boreas chooses for his wife “the fairest maiden in the realm,” or Aurora, Queen of the Snows. By carnival’s end, she persuades Boreas to relinquish his reign to Vulcanus Rex. Selected through a pageant, queens have traditionally been young women with sponsors.
Council of Fire Kings: This group is open to those who have served as Vulcanus Rex, the king of the mischievous Vulcan Krewe. The leader resents Boreas’ icy grip on the city and successfully mounts a coup to usher in warm weather.
Imperial Order of Fire and Brimstone: This fraternity of former Vulcans is probably the
most visible and outlandish of the alumni groups. Its main purpose is to assist the Council of Fire Kings in selecting a new Vulcan Krewe – and induct them with frat-style hoaxes -as well as hosting various charities and activities.
Churchill Club: Former prime ministers are welcome to join this association. The prime minister serves as an aide to King Boreas and helps manage events and appearances of the Royal Family.
Royal Order of Klondike Kates: In terms of showstealing, this sisterhood of songstresses gives the Vulcans a run for their money. The voluptuous Klondike Kate, named after the Alaska Gold Rush entertainer, provides the official song and merriment for the festival.
Order of the Royal Guards: The so-called “protectors of the realm,” guards are entrusted with the improbable task of defending Boreas’ kingdom from the Vulcan overthrow. In future carnivals, guards often go on to become kings, prime ministers, winds or even Vulcans.
Past Princess Association: The carnival’s princesses are culled from a pool of queen candidates every year. Four contestants are crowned princess – or ladies in waiting – at the onset of carnival. They are paired with Boreas’ four princely brothers, who represent the St. Paul-area neighborhoods of the north, south, east and west.
North Winds: Titan, prince of the North, often hails from the Rice Street community. His costume is white.
South Winds: Notos, prince of the balmy South Wind, dons matador-style clothing. In carnival lore, he betrays Boreas by freeing a captured Vulcanus Rex, who later storms Boreas’ ice palace.
East Winds: Euros, one of four brothers to Boreas, is prince of the East Wind. He often wears a turban and genie-like curled boots.
West Winds: Zephyrus, another brother, sports a Wild West getup replete with cowboy hat and boots. West Wind princes also are known to fire guns loaded with blanks at carnival events.
Ambassadors: Originally created as a women’s division for the wives of carnival royalty, this group is now open to anyone who wants to volunteer with the festival.
King’s Tax Collectors: These servants sell the official carnival buttons. Festival organizers often seek the input of the tax collectors when selecting a button design.
Senior Royalty: The 55-and-over crowd can join the pageantry, too. A special coronation, sponsored by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, selects six representatives for this senior court.
Junior Royalty: Though not represented on the Uniform Groups Council, these teen ambassadors are responsible for bringing “youthful exuberance” to the carnival.
Laura Yuen can be reached at lyuen@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5498.
Copyright 2007 Pioneer Press.
