The Sal & Francesca LoBaido Volunteer Service Award is presented annually to people who have shown long-term commitment to the St. Paul Winter Carnival.
Along with the “Winter Carnival Twins” Jane Lonergan and Joan Kelly, the most recent award also was presented to Neill O’Neill.
O’Neill had the distinction 10 years ago of being crowned King Boreas after defecting from the Vulcan Krewe and the Imperial Order of Fire and Brimstone.
“While his fellow members from Fire and Brimstone initially scoffed at his defection, he was genuinely supported by all members in red,” said the biographical notes from the Sept. 15 awards ceremony.
Going from the trouble-making, winter-vanquishing Vulcan Krewe to become winter-loving Boreas, King of the Winds, is a rare feat.
“There have been three before me who have done that,” O’Neill said.
Between holding the title of General Flameous in 1979 and wearing King Boreas’ crown in 2006, O’Neill made numerous behind-the-scenes contributions to the carnival.
O’Neill, a lawyer, was on the Fire and Brimstone board of directors, drafted its first articles of incorporation and was its first vice president and, later, president.
He was on the board for the Winter Carnival Association from 1987 to 1992 and was festival cabinet president for the St. Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation in 1995. He went on to be the foundation’s chairman and helped start the foundation’s charitable gambling program.
O’Neill has continued to serve in leadership roles in recent years. This year he’ll be attending a few events, but he said it’s time to let other people get involved in carnival leadership.
“You develop some very wonderful relationships,” he said. “You realize that it is a significant part of St. Paul’s history and culture. It’s enjoyable and worthwhile to be part of that.”
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