CURRENT KREWE

The current 2012 Vulcan krewe is led by Vulcanus Rex the 75th and has the following members.

HISTORY

In 1886, the Saint Paul Winter Carnival was started. That year the first Fire King was a part of the Winter Celebration. Colonel Delos A. Monfort was the first of what would go on to become the Vulcan Krewe we know today. He was known as Fire King Coal – the king of Fire. The first nine Fire King’s battled alone without a Krewe against Boreas and his royal family. In 1940 E.R. Reiff was picked to be Vulcanus Rex VI, he changed the program a little. He chose a Krewe of six to help him chase Boreas and his Royal Family out of his town. He gave the six Krewe members the names we still use today. In 1970 Joe Rogers, Vulcanus Rex XXXIII added a seventh krewe member named the Prince of Soot. We still use the same names today.

Since 1886, approximately 400 people have officially worn the Vulcan Running Suit, proudly representing the Vulcans of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival. Presently the Fire & Brimstone organization has more than 250 active former Fire King’s and Krewe members.

Vulcanus Rex - The King of Fire. THE TRUE KING of the St. Paul Winter Carnival. Vulcanus battles to end the cold of winter, and seeks to bring the warmth of summer back to the beautiful City of Saint Paul.

Baron Hot Sparkus - Commander of the Lancer’s Legion and the Stoker of Emotions. Sparky is the “SPARK PLUG” of the Vulcan Krewe.

Grand Duke Fertilious - Minister of Propaganda. The Propagator of Progeny. This Krewe member usually has the most offspring.

Count of Ashes - The Raiser of Sleeping Spirits. The “SWINGER” of the Vulcan Krewe.

Count Embrious - Fire King’s Chancellor of the Exchequer. The young and romantic one. Embrious also known as EB is usually the youngest member of the Krewe.

Duke of Klinker - Fire King’s Aide de Camp and the Herder of the Flock. A Klinker is the longest burning ember, that just never wants to go out.

General Flameous - An Army Commander, the Administrator of Fire. The Keeper of the Flame. The legend of Flameous: if the Flame dies, the Fire King dies — and it will be winter forever.

Prince of Soot - The Recorder of Past Memories. The “LADIES MAN.” Sooty is usually the oldest member of the Krewe.

THE FIRE KING RUNNING SUIT, THE UNIFORM

In the early Carnivals, when the Fire King ran alone, he wore typically kingly attire crown and all, with heavy emphasis on the color red in the rest of the costume. In 1916, Ron Stewart, Vulcanus Rex I, wore a warm blanket coat with a wide sash and a headpiece with devil-type horns on it. This attire continued through 1939. In 1940, Vulcanus Rex VI, E.R. Reiff, designed the basic running suit worn today. The horns were replaced by two feathers at the back of the head with a central fin running across the top of the head from front to back. In 1959 the feathers disappeared by order of Vulcanus Rex XXII, John Works. There are six primary pieces to the current running suit: the hat, the running suit, the cape, boots, gloves, goggles, and of course grease.

THE KNIGHTING CEREMONY

These ceremonies have been around for almost sixty years. Every year, the Fire King knights literally hundreds of lucky individuals. Special people are singled out by the King and his Krewe to bestow this unique privilege on. A knighting certificate consists of a “title” being bestowed, and a certificate being presented. The title and the memory of this event last forever. Titles bestowed usually reflect the individual’s special contribution to a community, company, club or organization, or family.

THE ROYAL CHARIOT

The present fire engine being used by the Krewe is a 1932 “Luverne”. The engine was built in Laverne, Minnesota, and is believed to be one of only a handful of its type left. The City of Saint Paul started to let the Krewe use this fire engine in the late 1950’s, and have had to replace almost everything but the frame over the years. In 1996 Fire & Brimstone took over ownership and upkeep of the truck. This is a fragile old vehicle, please treat it with all due respect.

FIRE & BRIMSTONE

In the late forty’s some of the former Krewe members thought it would be useful to have a group formed that included all the former Vulcan’s. This was a great idea but it took until 1958 before the right men would come along that would make it into a full-fledged incorporated organization. Fire & Brimstone is run by a Board of Directors who are elected by the general membership at their annual meeting. This organizations main objective is to promote friendship and camradrie between former vulcan krewe members and to promote and support the Krewe on the street every year . We also plan many activities and events for F&B members and their families to attend throughout the entire year, support a variety of charities and lend our minds, bodies and time to various causes and events.