Last weekend we took a trip to the big city of Saint Paul for the annual Cinch World's Toughest Rodeo. What we were not expecting was to be stuck right in the middle of the Vulcan Torchlight parade just before heading to the show.
Crowds began to gather on the street outside the bar where we were and having asked several people not many could explain the "Vulcans" with their red capes and jackets, or the history of the parade. We did find one guy eventually who filled us in on the origin and it is a fantastic story which I since researched on the Minnesota Historical Society.
In 1885 Eastern newspaper journalists (whom I believe were from New York) visited Saint Paul and upon return , they wrote that Minnesota was a dark and dreary place, un-inhabitable, and comparable to Siberia.
In retaliation the proud Minnesotans got together and basically said F you and decided to create a wintertime festival which would showcase the beauty of their winter wonderland. They worked with the City of Montreal who had their own winter festival in place and they helped build the first ice castle in Saint Paul on February 1st, 1886.
The Montreal festival had an Ice King and Queen named Aurora. Saint Paul adapted similar characters and named them King Boreas and Queen of the Snows. The mischievous Vulcan and his red-caped Krewe were created from the Germanic tradition of the energy and disruption which springtime brings to the final days of winter. The dethroning of King Boreas by the Vulcan Krewe is the conclusion of the festival and the torchlight parade signifies bringing the warmth back to Minnesota.
The parade is weird yet wonderful. It is full of light and music. Decorated floats, marching groups, trucks, clowns and people handing out beads and candy for kids. It is the oldest wintertime festival in the U.S. and long may it continue.
Minnesotans are proud of their State, and even though it is cold for almost half of the year, it is the warmest place I have ever lived.
People knock you down in life all the time, whether it is in the workplace, sports, or family and friends. Take the Minnesotan attitude, kick right back and blind the fuckers with brightness!
The carnival of old Saint Paul song:
Brings back great memories!