The King Boreas Grande Day Parade, Presented by RUSSELL’s and SAINT PAUL AREA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (SPAAR), is our daytime procession and this year moves to Grand Avenue in Saint Paul, beginning at Dale and ending just after Lexington, featuring dozens of bands, floats and, of course, the newly crowned King Boreas and his Royal Family.

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Q & A on the change in location for the Grande Day Parade:

Q. Why did you make the change?

A. We have seen fewer parade viewers for Grande Day over the past couple of years, even with the warmer weather in 2024. To keep the Grande Day Parade tradition alive, when we were approached with the idea, we looked long and hard at the pros and cons. We are hopeful that more people will attend to watch the parade on Grand Avenue and we will be able to support local bars and restaurants that become “Official Warming Houses” of the Winter Carnival. As a non-profit organization (SPFHF) that puts on the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, costs also matter. On Grand Avenue, we will be able to save money on police, parking meters (there are none on Grand Avenue), ped barricades, porta-potties and street permits.

Q. The Parades have always been on West 7th. How could you move it?

A. Over the years, our parades have moved around to different routes for various reasons. The Torchlight Parade, which recently ran from Lowertown up to Rice Park and didn’t come down West 7th will remain on West 7th, as it has been the past two years. We anticipate huge crowds on Torchlight Night, supporting those local restaurants and bars, especially those that become “Official Warming Houses” of the Winter Carnival.

We understand that change is hard for many, but we truly hope that you know the leaders make changes to keep the Winter Carnival going, to increase the number of people participating and to help local businesses and organizations.

Warm Up In Our OFFICIAL WARMING HOUSES- local bars and restaurants that financially support the Saint Paul Winter Carnival through the Saint Paul Festival & Heritage Foundation…please visit them often!

Official Warming Houses:

Emmett’s Specials Are Coming Soon!          FREE Hot Chocolate & $5 Wine Specials    FREE Mini Cookies  w/ beverage purchase

Surly Winterized 12-packs for $13.99.  $1 off all Tip Top Pre-Mixed Cocktail cans.                                                                                                                                                                                              Samplings all afternoon of Grande Day Parade.

Saint Paul Celebrity Grand Marshals
Vineeta Sawkar & Todd Walker

Vineeta Sawkar is Minnesota’s biggest fan. You can see her on any given night at a sporting event, concert or theater performance. Her motto: Get the ticket. Go to the event. See the friend. Take the trip. No regrets. She loves experiencing what our community (especially St. Paul) has to offer and talks about her adventures and the people she encounters every morning on WCCO radio. Vineeta brings you the most important and impactful news stories and interviews with the news-makers and influencers we need to hear from to get ready for the day.

Vineeta and her husband, Jason, have lived in St. Paul since they were married in 1996 and have proudly raised their children in the capital city. They have been Minnesota Wild season ticket holders since the team became a franchise in 2000. You can find them on a weekend night sipping on their favorite beverages at the Lex, RUSSELL’s or Emmett’s.

Vineeta is a 5-time Emmy award-winning former TV journalist who Minnesota Star Tribune readers voted as Best Radio Personality in 2022, 2023 and 2024. 

Born and raised in St. Paul, Todd Walker embodies the spirit of the Winter Carnival. From hunting for the medallion with his family as a kid to being tossed by the Bouncing Team on live TV, Todd’s connection to the Carnival runs deep. He’s been knighted by King Boreas countless times, introduced the newly crowned Royal Court on FOX 9, read the Lore of the Overthrow to torchlight parade spectators, and kicked off the annual puzzle event at Landmark Center.

Todd has covered the coronations of the Queen of the Snows and canine royalty, sung with the Klondike Kates, and watched the Vulcanettes make their mark. He has fond memories of sliding down the iconic slide at Vulcan Park on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and admiring the snow sculptures there. One of Todd’s favorite Winter Carnival moments was the dazzling 1992 Ice Castle, built during the “Fire and Ice” Super Bowl. He vividly recalls its towering beauty, lit in vibrant colors, and remembers being convinced it was bigger than Buckingham Palace.

In addition to his Carnival ties, Todd has reported from red carpets, interviewing celebrities and covering high-profile events. Known for his many years as FOX 9’s “Man About Town” features reporter, he’s also been a columnist for Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, a contributor to the Pioneer Press, and an accomplished travel writer.

Todd is honored to serve as one of the 2025 Grand Marshals of the Winter Carnival Parade—a role that celebrates his lifelong connection to this cherished St. Paul tradition.

Celebrity Grand Marshal
Dog Man

Part Dog. Part Man. ALL HERO! 

DreamWorks Animation presents Pete Davidson, Lil Rey Howrey, Isla Fisher and Ricky Gervais

in DOG MAN.  Rated PG.  In theaters January 31.

TV News Grand Marshal
KSTP’s Megan Newquist

Megan Newquist 

Megan joined 5 Eyewitness News in 2009 and also hosts Minnesota Lives. Megan is a multiple Emmy Award winning anchor. In 2019, she earned an Emmy for her worldwide exclusive with the father of Justine Ruszczyk Damond. The Australian woman was fatally shot by a Minneapolis Police Officer after calling 9-1-1 to report the possible assault in an alley behind her house. In 2020, 5 Eyewitness News mornings was honored with an Emmy for its coverage of the rioting following the death of George Floyd. In 2016, the team earned the award for its coverage of the death of music legend Prince. And that same year, Megan’s breaking news coverage of the Minneapolis Police Officers being cleared in the shooting death of Jamar Clark was honored with an Emmy.

Non-Profit Grand Marshal, COMING SOON!