Meet your new wintertime monarchs, St. Paul: The 2025 Winter Carnival Royal Family was announced Friday night at a coronation at the RiverCentre. For the coming year, John Harrington will reign as King Boreas the 88th, and Tessa Westlund will serve with him as Aurora, Queen of the Snows.
Harrington, 69, who lives on the East Side, has previously served as St. Paul police chief, a Minnesota state senator, Metro Transit police chief and the state’s public safety commissioner. He’s currently CEO of MicroGrants, a local nonprofit that operates programs including Lights On!, which facilitates police officers around the country providing vouchers for burnt-out taillights and turn signals rather than issuing tickets. He is also a co-founder of St. Paul social services nonprofit Ujamaa Place.
Westlund, who lives in the Macalester-Groveland neighborhood, leads the Northern Division of the Salvation Army’s Safe From Harm program and is the organization’s human resources training and compliance specialist. Westlund says she enjoys being the “fun aunt” for her nieces and nephews, arranging flowers, singing in the car and sitting around a bonfire.
Also of note is this year’s prime minister, Brooke Blakey, who is the director of the city’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and daughter of the late Art Blakey, longtime Minnesota State Fair police chief and former King Boreas. Art Blakey’s wife, Carolyn, is one of the royal family coordinators for this year, as well.
The 2025 Royal Family
King Boreas LXXXVIII: John Harrington, sponsored by Lights On!
Aurora, Queen of Snows: Tessa Westlund, sponsored by Ideal Printers
Prime Minister: Brooke Blakey, sponsored by Hamernick’s Flooring Solutions
Titan, Prince of the North Wind: Mike Meents, sponsored by Red’s Savoy Pizza in Eagan and Blush Salon
North Wind Princess: Shakira Bradshaw, sponsored by Healing Connections
Euros, Prince of the East Wind: Clayton Fox, sponsored by Lisa Boe and Keller Williams Premier Realty
East Wind Princess: Jenny Harris, sponsored by Pauly’s Pub and Grill
Zephyrus, Prince of the West Wind: Randy Hatch, sponsored by City, Chamber of Commerce and Tourism of Princeton
West Wind Princess: Samantha Axt, sponsored by NE Moose Bar & Grill
Notos, Prince of the South Wind: Danny Maslowski, sponsored by City County Credit Union
South Wind Princess: Michaela Hingst, sponsored by Landmark Jewelers
Captain of the Guard: Vincent Berger, sponsored by Pure Fish Works
Sergeant of the Guard: Kim Johnson, sponsored by Dungarvin
South Wind Guard: Nick Casci, sponsored by DucTech Heating & Cooling
West Wind Guard: Steven Schwarting, sponsored by Northern Prairie Financial
East Wind Guard: Kelsey Feier, sponsored by Tasty Pizza & Pet Evolution
East Wind Guard: Michelle Goedert, sponsored by Emmett’s Public House on Grand
North Wind Guard: Eddie Bova, sponsored by Mama T’s Castle Tap
Royal Coordinators: Carolyn Blakey, Kelly Isenhower, Bobbi Vangrinsven
Klondike Kate: Amé Jo Peach, sponsored by St. Croix Hospice and Guardian Pest Solutions
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