The St. Paul Winter Carnival named its 2023 royalty Friday night at the RiverCentre, choosing former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Leo E. Lewis to reign as King Boreas the 86th and Liv Swenson, who works at the University of Minnesota Foundation, as Aurora, Queen of the Snows.
Lewis gets his St. Paul connection from his father, Leo Lewis Jr., who grew up in St. Paul and attended Marshall High School. He was a notable football player in college and with the Canadian Football League, including the Winnipeg Blue Bombers under future Vikings coaching legend Bud Grant. His son played with the Vikings from 1981 to 1991. Leo E. Lewis also worked as a pro scout and director of player development. He now runs Lewis Performance partners and founded the Lewis Sports Foundation. He has worked as an educator, counselor and mentor to athletes and has experience in philanthropy.
Liv Swenson grew up in Inver Grove Heights and graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., with degrees in dance, education, and race and ethnic studies. She works as an associated project manager at the University of Minnesota Foundation and loves books, coffee and creativity. She hopes to one day categorize her collection of books into an official library. She has recently rediscovered her love of baking and enjoys creating and donating cakes to For Goodness Cakes. She is looking forward to meeting new people, connecting with her community and volunteering through the Winter Carnival.
The 2023 Royal Family
King Boreas LXXXVI: Leo E. Lewis III of Eden Prairie, sponsored by Lewis Sports Foundation
Aurora, Queen of Snows: Liv Swenson of Inver Grove Heights, sponsored by White Bear Country Inn & Rudy’s Red Eye Grill
Prime Minister: Gary Schaak of Minneapolis, sponsored by Hamernick’s Interior Solutions/Flooring Superstores
Titan, Prince of the North Wind: Dave Schmidt of Lino Lakes, sponsored by O’Neill Electric, Inc
North Wind Princess: Rahila Hungiapuko, sponsored by Majestic and Silver Threads
Euros, Prince of the East Wind: Lew Vogel of Cottage Grove, sponsored by LCS Company
East Wind Princess: Emily Maestas of Woodbury, sponsored by Hero Home Services
Zephyrus, Prince of the West Wind: Mike Cummings of Farmington, sponsored by Boar’s Head Leather & Coulee Bank
West Wind Princess: Dee Barrett of Fridley, sponsored by River Run Team of ReMax Results–Greg Kuntz
Notos, Prince of the South Wind: Dennis Boe of Woodbury, sponsored by Lisa Boe–Homes with a Boe at Keller Williams Premier Realty
South Wind Princess: Jocelyn O’Neill of Forest Lake, sponsored by Ideal Printers
Captain of the Guard: Rick Holte of St. Paul, sponsored by Northern Prairie Financial
Sergeant of the Guard: Elle Rhodes of St. Paul, sponsored by Mama Ts, Dual Citizen Brewing Company & Lovejoy’s Bloody Mary
North Wind Guard: Mike Moore of St. Paul, sponsored by Barefoot Construction
East Wind Guard/Pillow Guard: Scott Matson of Blaine, sponsored by GetSomeZEES.com
West Wind Guard: Adam Bruns of Eagan, sponsored by Kottke Trucking
South Wind Guard: Gordon Carney of St. Paul, sponsored by Consulting by Carney LLC
Copyright 2023 Pioneer Press.
Klondike Kate: Maret Bylander of Stillwater, sponsored by St. Croix Hospice & Guardian Pest Solutions
Royal Coordinators: Abby Hoglin, Abby Patterson & Sharolyn Carlson