1 2 Table of Contents Thank you to our Sponsors 2 Introductory Letter, What’s New? 4 - 5 Schedule of Events 6 – 10 Ecolab Ice Palace presented by Spire Credit Union 11 - 12 Rice Park: Winter Carnival’s Center Stage 13 Winter Carnival Buttons 14 The Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt 15 Saint Paul Winter Carnival Parades 16 Winter Carnival Ice Carving Competitions 17 Vulcan Snow Park and Snow Sculpting Competition 18 Securian Winter Run and Kids Skyway Scamper 19 ION Autonomous Snowplow Competition 20 Winter Carnival 3M Educational Program 20 Team USA WinterFest presented by HERSHEY’S 21 Fancy Hotdish Competition presented by Kowalski’s Markets and hosted by The Lexington 22 Saint Paul Bouncing Team Tryouts 22 A Brief History of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival 23 The Royal Legend 24 Vulcanus Rex & His Krewe 25 Klondike Kate 26 The Royal Coronation 27 Saint Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation – Contact Page 28 3 Greetings Members of the Media and Friends of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, Since 1886, the Saint Paul Winter Carnival has brought family-friendly events and community pride to the City of Saint Paul and the Twin Cities metro area. “The Coolest Celebration on Earth™” is managed by the Saint Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation. The 132nd Saint Paul Winter Carnival is gearing up for another “super” year. The 2018 festival will be held January 25 – February 10, an additional seven days from previous years. We’ll be hosting dozens of FREE events, both traditional favorites and new attractions, to entertain our local supporters and out-of-town visitors. Most events will take place in downtown Saint Paul, in and around Rice Park and Landmark Center, as well as at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Here’s a sampling of some of the new highlights on schedule: The Ecolab Ice Palace presented by Spire Credit Union, the “crown jewel” of the 2018 Saint Paul Winter Carnival, will be on display throughout the 17-day festival. Located in Rice Park in downtown Saint Paul, the approximately 70-foot-high glimmering structure is constructed of more than 4,000 blocks of ice and weighs over two million pounds! Each night of Carnival, a “Flip The Switch” lighting ceremony will be held 5:30 p.m. The Ecolab Ice Palace Light Show presented by Xcel Energy will illuminate Rice Park each night at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. The Not Your Father’s Winter Carnival Music Series on the Spire Credit Union Entertainment Stage will provide live entertainment in Rice Park for 15 days during the festival. From funky disco beats to traditional music representing Cinco de Mayo; country crooners to fun sing-alongs for the whole family; a jazzy afternoon to a purple nighttime tribute to Prince; Rice Park will be the place for great performances. The Vulcan Snow Park at the State Fairgrounds will be open and ready for play from Friday, January 26 through Sunday, February 11. Once again, it will be the site of the State Snow Sculpting Competition, a giant snow slide, Vulcan Fun Day on January 28, two Vulcan Polar Plunges for Special Olympics (January 28 during the day and February 3 in the evening) and new for 2018 – lawn mower, bar stool ski and kid’s quarter-scale car races, as well as Tow Up Throw Down competitions. MNSnowPark.com The United States Olympic Committee Team USA’s WinterFest presented by HERSHEY® is bringing the energy and excitement of the 2018 Olympics and Paralympic Winter Games to Carnival on Saturday, February 3 adjacent to Rice Park. The tour will feature meet and greets with former Olympians, a Bobsled Boomerang, and a Curling Challenge. Plus, the Hershey®’s S’moresmobile will be a free treat for visitors. Through January 31, the Little Free Library® nonprofit is holding an “Ice Your Library Contest.” Creative book lovers are encouraged to decorate their neighborhood Little Free Libraries with ice, snow, or other wintry decorations for prizes. littlefreelibrary.org/ice Looking for an option before watching the Big Game on February 4? Join us in Landmark Center for Ladies Day, a day of shopping from women-owned businesses, fashion shows, designer purse bingo, and a fitness class. Minnesota’s iconic food, the hotdish, is front and center at the Saint Paul Winter Carnival’s Fancy Hotdish Challenge presented by Kowalski’s Market and hosted by The Lexington. Wednesday, February 7, seven local restaurants will compete to see who can serve up the best dish of Minnesota comfort food. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at WinterCarnival.com. 4 Of course, the signature Winter Carnival events and old favorites are returning. Key dates to remember include: Parades – each culminating in Rice Park: o Thursday, January 25: Moon Glow Pedestrian Parade sponsored by Vulcan Community Charities beginning at 6 p.m. o Saturday, January 27: King Boreas Grand Day Parade beginning at 2 p.m. o Saturday, February 10: Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade beginning at 5:30 p.m. in Lowertown followed by the Vulcan Victory Dance January 25: The Winter Carnival Ice Carving Contest and ice sculpting in Rice Park begins Friday, January 26: The Royal Coronation, beginning at 8 p.m. at Saint Paul River Centre January 26 – February 11: Saint Paul Winter Carnival Vulcan Snow Park and Snow Slide; Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Competition at the State Fairgrounds Saturday, January 27: Securian Winter Run and the new Kids Skyway Scamper, 9 a.m. start at 6th & Jackson St. Saturday, January 27 – Winter Carnival Jigsaw Puzzle Competition (new “family” category) and Kids Day in Landmark Center Tuesday, January 30 – Frozen Family Fun Night in Rice Park featuring “Anna & Elsa” and activities for the whole family. January 27 & 28: The Autonomous Snow Plow Competition will be held on 4th Street by Rice Park. Witness young geniuses and their robotic creations pave the way. “The Coolest Celebration on Earth™” is managed by the Saint Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation. The Foundation is a non-profit membership organization that produces two large festivals a year – Saint Paul Winter Carnival and Cinco de Mayo West Side Saint Paul. It is a non- profit membership organization which relies on sponsors, fundraisers, donations and our members to support its year-round activities. The Saint Paul Winter Carnival is brought to you in partnership with Explore Minnesota. The Saint Paul Winter Carnival is a founding member of The Great Northern. The Great Northern celebrates winter in Minneapolis and Saint Paul by promoting a positive mindset and healthy, active, outdoor lifestyle and spotlighting iconic Minnesota traditions, including the Winter Carnival, the City of Lakes Loppet, and U.S. Pond Hockey Championships. Its foundational winter experiences and new programming celebrate Minnesota's unique offerings and further enhance the state's reputation as a national destination for winter activity at its best. For an up-to-date calendar of events and the most current information, please visit wintercarnival.com. Images are available at spwc.smugmug.com. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter @StPaulWinter or Instagram @stpaulwintercarnival. Please use the hashtag - #wintercarnival. We look forward to working with you on telling the great stories of the 2018 Saint Paul Winter Carnival! Gratefully, Deb Schaber Molly Mulvehill Steinke Saint Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation Nemer Fieger [email protected], 651-223-7401 [email protected], 612-309-1677 5 2018 Saint Paul Winter Carnival Highlights* January 25 – February 10 Celebrating 132 Years of the Coolest Celebration on Earth™ Schedule of events as of Jan. 21 Since 1886, the Saint Paul Winter Carnival continues to bring family-friendly events and community pride to Saint Paul and the Twin Cities metro area. “The Coolest Celebration on Earth™” is managed by the Saint Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation. All events listed take place in the City of Saint Paul and are FREE and open to the public, unless otherwise noted. *Schedule is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information and to sign up for updates, please visit www.wintercarnival.com or connect with us on social media: @StPaulWinter @stpaulwinter @stpaulwintercarnival Daily Events: Rice Park – Winter Carnival’s Center Stage Embrace winter in Saint Paul, get outside and enjoy all of the Winter Carnival activities taking place in beautifully festive Rice Park. Check out the Ecolab Ice Palace presented by Spire Credit Union behold the artistry of the fantastic ice carvings. Visitors can check out the masterpieces from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day. For 15 days of the Winter Carnival, Rice Park will be home to the Not Your Father’s Winter Carnival Music Series on the Spire Credit Union Entertainment Stage. From disco to Cinco and country to kids, come and join us for our outdoor concerts. Plus, try a Barefoot wine, mulled wine or beer at the ever-popular Ice Bar. Vulcan Snow Park and Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Contest at the State Fairgrounds: Jan. 26 – Feb. 11 Organized by the Saint Paul Vulcans, Vulcan Snow Park takes place on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Daily attractions include zooming down the giant snow slide, playing on giant snow piles, and viewing snow sculptures. There are also many special events and activities, such as snow sculpting contests, races, Vulcan Fun Day, Polar Plunges, and so much more. Bring your family for winter fun and adventure! MNSnowPark.com Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt presented by Fury Jeep This legendary hunt for the medallion kicks off with the first poetic clue posted in the Jan. 21 edition of the Pioneer Press and on TwinCities.com. A new clue will be published daily through Feb.