Snow Queens 2010:
When Dreams Become Reality
(December 6, 2009 - January 20, 2010)

The Snow Queens of South Dakota again graced the galleries of the Dacotah Prairie Museum. The exhibit: “When Dreams Become Reality”, the theme of the 2010 Festival, opened Sunday, December 6th, 2009, and ran through January 20, 2010.

Included in the exhibit were gowns and crowns of former Queens arranged in a diorama of ice and snow. Engraved glasses, a trophy, and a charm bracelet of queens joined programs books of various years including the 50th and 60th Anniversary years.  Former Frostys have contributed copper mugs inscribed with their names and dates, vintage photos and the official “Frosty Costume”. The Queen’s Snowguard had uniforms, hats, caps, buttons and patches from various snowmobile treks. A collection of Snow Queen buttons used to promote the various Festivals were displayed as well as the photo board of Junior Snow Queens. Kids experienced the fun by taking a coloring picture of the Snow Queen or Frosty home with them to color and keep.

Beginning with Dorothy Lockington’s original portrait, all the portraits of the 63 Snow Queens were hung for the exhibit.

Aberdeen’s Snow Queen Festival began after WW II when officials from the St. Paul Winter Carnival approached Aberdeen with the idea of becoming a satellite of the Carnival. The Aberdeen Jaycees and Jaycettes took responsibility for organizing the first Snow Queen Festival in 1946, each one contributing $10-$25 toward expenses. Candidates participating in the first Festival came from twelve communities, Aberdeen and the towns nearby. Britton was the first town to hold a local contest, with four candidates signing up. However, it was so cold the night of the event that only three of the girls were able to get there. The first contest in Selby was held by candlelight because a blizzard had downed the power lines. Dorothy Lockington who represented Aberdeen was crowned the first Snow Queen in January 1947.

The first festival was held in Aberdeen’s Civic Arena for a capacity crowd of 3,500, each of who paid $1 admission fee which also entitled them to attend the dance following coronation.

Billy Bishop’s band from Chicago happened to be playing at dances in the area and agreed to appear at the festival for $250, a fraction of their normal rate, rather than simply have an open date.  There was no money for elaborate stage decorations, so holiday decorations were borrowed from anyone willing to share, and Christmas trees were picked up from homes after the holidays to be used on the stage.

As with any winter event scheduled in this area, weather was always a concern. Weather forecasters were calling for a huge winter storm to blanket the region with snow right on festival day, but luck prevailed and the storm veered north and west of Aberdeen. The contest was held in beautiful winter weather.

In 1949, the first “Frosty” was crowned as a part of the festival. Frosty was a prominent business person or public figure who dons the white snowman costume and takes part in events only to be revealed at the Snow Queen’s coronation. Such notables as US Representative Ben Reifel, and Governors Joe Foss and Nils Boe have been Frosty. Frosty is escorted to these events by six uniformed Snow Guards who are the only ones who know Frosty’s true identity. The guards are appointed to a three year term and each has been a past president of the Jaycees organization or past Festival General Chairman.

Another tradition was added to the festival in 1955, that of the crowning of the Junior Snow Queen. Contestants for this crown are high school freshmen and they also participate in the talent portion of the festival along with their senior counterparts.

For information on past exhibits in the Lamont Gallery, please click here