The 2009 St. Paul Winter Carnival buttons will carry a legendary theme.

The 2009 designs — unveiled today at Dixie’s on Grand — mark a return to imagery reflecting the Carnival’s Royal Legend. They were designed by Nick Barrett, the son of a ranking member of the Vulcan Krewe.

“My dad was Vulcanus Rex in 2004, and I’ve been going to the Winter Carnival with him since 1993,” said Barrett, 24, a graduate of Brown College. “The Winter Carnival brings St. Paul to life in the winter, and it’s a great opportunity for people to get out and see what St. Paul has to offer.”

Each of the four designs captures a piece of the Royal Legend, representing the Royal Family, the Vulcan Krewe, the Klondike Kates and the overall Winter Carnival.

Buttons are available for $5 individually, or $20 for a collector’s button bonus pack, which includes the four buttons and a Queen’s blinking pin. They are available for sale at Cub Foods, Snyder’s Drug stores, Super America, and other area retailers.

They are also for sale on the Winter Carnival Web site at www.winter-carnival.com.

Mikel Sporer can be reached at 651-265-2494.

Copyright 2008 Pioneer Press.