The countdown to the St. Paul Winter Carnival has begun, and it’s time to dig out your old buttons and programs for the sixth annual memorabilia swap.

The memorabilia displayed dates back to 1886, when the Winter Carnival had its debut.

Participants can buy, sell or just enjoy looking at what’s on display, said former Vulcanus Rex Howie Register, who’s been collecting Winter Carnival memorabilia for 45 years.

The event is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 11 at the South St. Paul VFW, 111 Concord Exchange S. in South St. Paul.

It’s free and open to the public.

The 129th Winter Carnival is Jan. 22 to Feb. 1.

Katie Kather can be reached at 651-228-5006. Follow her at twitter.com/ktkather.

Copyright 2015 Pioneer Press.