There’s not a glass slipper, but still the search for the 2019 Queen of Snows has begun.
The St. Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation, producer of the St. Paul Winter Carnival, is now accepting applications for candidates for this queenly title, a position which dates back to the 1800s.
This program is open to all women. There are no restrictions with regard to marital status, dependents, place of residence or employment status. The minimum requirements are to be 21 years old by coronation on Jan. 25 and to be a high school graduate. Candidates must agree to a background check.
The candidate program has an initial fee of $850, which is covered by a sponsor (a candidate can have multiple sponsors). The candidate schedule during the approach to Winter Carnival will include daytime, evening and weekend appearances from orientation in early November through coronation in January.
If selected to serve as part of the 2019 royal family, the queen and four princesses commit to pausing their regular lives to serve during the 10 days of Winter Carnival (Jan. 24-Feb. 2), relocating temporarily to accommodations provided for them at the St. Paul Hotel. In addition, the royal family sometimes travels out of state and makes additional appearances throughout their yearlong reign, including a heavy schedule of parades and festivals during the summer. In total, while representing the city of St. Paul and the foundation, these goodwill ambassadors typically make between 200 and 300 appearances.
A candidate information meeting will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct.11 at Mama T’s Castle Tap, 2500 Rice St., Little Canada. For information and an application, including tips on finding a sponsor, go to Wintercarnival.com and click on “Get Involved.” The deadline to submit an application is 4 p.m. Nov. 9. Email questions to QOSCandidate@spfhf.org or call 651-223-7400.
In addition, the foundation is accepting applications to the Junior Royalty program, open to girls and boys in seventh through ninth grades. Applications, including the $85 fee, must be received by Oct. 12. Senior Royalty applications, for those ages 55 and older, are due Oct. 15.
Copyright 2018 Pioneer Press.
