Saint Paul Winter Carnival 1952

Illustration of two men, one on the left wearing a kings' crown and royal robes, and the one on the right wearing a red 'devil' outfit with horns, black eye mask, beard and goatee pointing a black gloved hand to the other man..  The man on the left is blowing a cloud of steam into the center of the button with red and black text and musical notes inside the cloud.  Above the cloud is a grey-colored image of a person's torso surrounded by flames.  White text along the top and bottom edge of the button with a grey background.

The Saint Paul Winter Carnival is an annual festival in Saint Paul, Minnesota. First celebrated in 1886, the festival came about when newspapers reported that upon visiting the city of Saint Paul in the winter, the area resembled that of another Siberia, unfit for human habitation. Deciding to retaliate and prove that the city was one of beauty and activity, the Saint Paul Chamber of Commerce began the festival to showcase the wonders and beauty of Minnesota Winters. According to tradition and legend, King Boreas, known as the "King of the Winds", came across Saint Paul and deemed it the capital of his domains. Meanwhile, Vulcanus Rex, the God of Fire, and also Boreas's sworn enemy, stepped forward to oppose Boreas and his land. Vulcanus swore to blister Boreas by unleashing heat and fire upon the land. Undaunted, Boreas proclaimed a celebration in opposition to Vulcanus. For ten days the people of Saint Paul enjoyed feasts, dancing and fun in celebration of Boreas and the sacred land on which they stood. Thus began the Winter Carnival which still continues to be celebrated to this day.