In the yearly ritual St. Paulites have become accustomed to when the days shorten, Winter Carnival dignitaries on Saturday unveiled the festival's 2010 button designs.

The buttons depict a bearded Vulcan wielding a torch, the cool blue Winter Carnival royalty, Klondike Kate singing into a microphone, a bouncing carnival-goer in midair and a bright red snow shovel. The buttons are $5 each or $20 for all five.

They were designed by Kirk Lyttle, an illustrator and graphic artist at the Pioneer Press.

Buttons are available at Cub Foods, SuperAmerica and other area stores, as well as on the carnival's website. For more information, go to www.winter-carnival.com.

The Winter Carnival, in its 124th year, takes place Jan. 21-31.

Chris Havens