11/24/2025
Congratulations to Prince of the South Wind Notos 2026 Tim Whitacre and his Lady Debbie! Welcome to Winter Carnival!
We are excited to announce and welcome the 2026 Wind Princes!
Notos, Prince of the South Wind, Tim Whitacre!
Tim is proudly sponsored by City & County Credit Union and is honored to be part of the 140th Saint Paul Winter Carnival Royal Family “I am looking forward to a fun-filled, unforgettable year ahead.” He and his wonderful wife, Debbie, are proud parents of three grown children and grandparents of five amazing grandkids. Their youngest daughter once served as a Royal Ambassador, so he knows the joy of festivals, parades, and representing your community. Though his family moved in and out of Saint Paul over the years, it’s always felt like home. After a 33-year career with American Family Insurance, Tim retired and moved to Woodbury, happily returning to his Saint Paul roots. Community involvement has always been important to him as he’s served with the Lions Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and several local volunteer organizations. He is thrilled to celebrate Saint Paul’s rich traditions and community spirit with others.
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Titan, Prince of the North Wind, from the House of Hamernick’s Flooring Solutions, Jim Hawkins!
Jim was a Northwind Guard in 1995 and he is really looking forward to being part of the 2026 Royal Family and the 140th Winter Carnival. He looks most forward to bringing cheer and joy to all events they attend and showing and telling people all about Winter Carnival and making a long-lasting impression for everyone to remember seeing the 2026 Royal Family. Jim has been in the flooring business for 36 years and is proud to have Hamernick's Flooring Solutions as his sponsor. He is married to Amy and they have four fabulous children.
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Euros, Prince of the East Wind, Thomas Maida!
Thomas is a retired father of two adult children and recently widowed. He has worked in public safety leadership roles for 45 years and retired from Metropolitan State University as the Director of Public Safety and Auxiliary Services after 21 years. His mom was the Saint Paul Winter Carnival Queen of 1956 so he is excited about bringing her to events and sharing his experience with her as she has done with him over the many years. He enjoys being active through community engagement and volunteerism. “I’m excited about my position as the East Wind Prince and as an ambassador of goodwill for the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, the surrounding communities and various organizations.”
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Zephyrus, Prince of the West Wind, from the House of Mama T's Castle Tap and Boar's Head Leather, Tyler Fehrman!
Tyler and his Lady, Molly Fehrman (West Wind Princess 2017) live in South St. Paul with their two children and two dogs. Tyler grew up in Ohio and moved to Minnesota in 2022 where he met Molly just a few days into being a new resident. He serves as the Chair of the City of South St. Paul Planning Commission - where he enjoys interacting with residents on issues related to zoning and economic development. His first interaction with Winter Carnival was being welcomed into the 2017 Royal Family and Knighted "The Duke of Yellowstone" by Vulcanus Rex L### (Dave Breen). He immediately fell in love with Carnival and is thrilled to have been chosen as the West Wind Prince for 2026! His personal motto is "People First - always, and no matter what" and he looks forward to spreading good cheer, plenty of loud "Yeehaws!", and embodying the spirit of community that Winter Carnival is all about. Tyler is sponsored by Mama T's Castle Tap and Boar's Head Leather.