It’s only fitting that the Winter Carnival’s 2026 Royal Family was announced on one of the coldest days we’ve seen in years.
This year’s wintertime monarchs were announced Friday night at a coronation at the RiverCentre. For the coming year, Peter Kenefick will reign as King Boreas the 89th, and Erin Gustafson will serve with him as Aurora, Queen of the Snows.
Kenefick, a financial advisor at UBS in Wayzata, also owns Emmett’s Public House and Saji-Ya on Grand Avenue. The oldest of five children in a third-generation St. Paul family, Kenefick grew up on Norfolk Avenue in Highland Park. In recent years, he spearheaded the redevelopment of the mixed-use Kenton House, which opened on Grand in 2024. He was grand marshal of the Grand Old Day parade that year and previously served as Mr. Pat in the St. Patrick’s Day parade. He currently lives in his wife’s hometown of Edina; the couple is celebrating their 46th wedding anniversary on Feb. 1, the last day of this year’s Winter Carnival.
Gustafson, who lives in Woodbury, is a marketing and strategy professional with a bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas and an MBA from the University of Minnesota. She frequently volunteers with nonprofits, hosts game nights with friends, knits handmade gifts and searches for the Twin Cities’ best bookstore. As she noted in her candidate bio, she “believes that meaningful relationships and genuine connection are at the heart of effective leadership, lasting community change, and building a happy life.”
Also of note is this year’s prime minister, Tom Barrett, who previously served as Vulcanus Rex and is now known as an authority on Winter Carnival history and the curator of the historical Carnival memorabilia window display at the corner of Grand Avenue and Victoria Street.
This year’s Senior Royalty, announced on Jan. 15, includes married duo John Erb and Teri Theno-Erb as King Winter and Queen of the Northlands, respectively, and Kitty Ryan — the first and only woman Vulcan, back in 1952 — as Princess of the Four Winds.
And in true Winter Carnival tradition, Royal Family members’ sponsoring organizations become their official “Royal House.”
The 2026 Royal Family
King Boreas LXXXIX:Peter Kenefick, from the Royal House of Emmett’s Public House and Saji-Ya
Aurora, Queen of the Snows: Erin Gustafson, from the Royal House of Bernie Swafford at Edina Realty
Prime Minister: Tom Barrett, from the Royal House of Pilot Games
Titan, Prince of the North Wind: Jim Hawkins, from the Royal House of Hamernick’s Flooring Solutions
North Wind Princess: Stacy Johnson, from the Royal House of Party Time Liquor
Euros, Prince of the East Wind: Thomas Maida, from the Royal House of Marylee Maida, Queen of the Snows 1956
East Wind Princess: Natalka MacDonald, from the Royal House of Quality Insurance Service
Zephyrus, Prince of the West Wind: Tyler Fehrman, from the Royal House of Mama T’s Castle Tap & Boar’s Head Leather
West Wind Princess: Katelyn Bergstrom, from the Royal House of River Hills Automotive
Notos, Prince of the South Wind: Tim Whitacre, from the Royal House of City & County Credit Union
South Wind Princess: Christine Hanley, from the Royal House of Northern Prairie Financial
Captain of the Guard: Erin Harrington
Sergeant of the Guard and North Wind Guard: Matt McGraw
King’s Guard and East Wind Guard: Alex Jarboe
West Wind Guard: Abigail Medved
South Wind Guard: Veid Muiznieks
Royal Coordinators: Barb & John Maslowski
Royal Handler: Tina Cook
Klondike Kate: Ruby Ericson, from the Royal House of St. Croix Hospice
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