The 136th St. Paul Winter Carnival opened Friday as the annual festival in St. Paul's Rice Park looks to celebrate winter in Minnesota.
After a drive-thru event in 2021, event organizers are bringing back the in-person events that have drawn thousands to St. Paul in years-past.
"We are back to as normal as we can be while we're still safe during the pandemic," said Lisa Jacobson, President of the St. Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation. "Back in Rice Park, Landmark Center, and back at the State Fair."
The St. Paul Winter Carnival runs 10-days and includes everything from ice sculptures, a beard growing contest, an ice bar, and food vendors.
"It's really an opportunity for the community to come together," Jacobson said. "We have indoor and outdoor events so there are a lot of opportunities for everyone of all ages. It's critically important that we come together and stop hiding out in our houses."
The Grand Day Parade returns Saturday, along with fireworks at Rice Park. A warming house will also be available to escape the cold.
On Friday night at Rivercentre, King Boreas 85 was crowned to officially begin the Winter Carnival.
He's Billy Given, a longtime St. Paul businessman who has deep connections with the Coolest Celebration on Earth.
His father operated the old Prom Center on University Avenue, site of many Winter Carnival celebrations.
Crowned as Aurora, Queen of the Snows was Effie Barnes.
Last year's coronation was called off because of pandemic concerns.
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Because of the mask and vaccine mandates in St. Paul, proof of vaccine or negative Covid-19 test will be required for any of the carnival's indoor events.
"That includes our coronation that kicks off the Winter Carnival on Friday night because that's in River Center in St. Paul," added Jacobson.
Because of the pandemic, Jacobson says people should expect to see less food vendors.
"We also have less volunteers and this is a volunteer-run festival," she said. "So we have many volunteer opportunities available. Just picking up one shift helps tremendously."
More information about volunteering at the St. Paul Winter Carnival can be found here.