History 21 The Podcast - 6.19 Anoka Princess Karen George Reboot
In 1979 Karen George became an Anoka Princess and spent the next year driving back and forth from college in Morehead, MN to represent her home town at various events and parades. George shares her journey as a candidate and Princess, how she designed the first Halloween themed float for the city and her lasting connections with Anoka Halloween. Episode originally published Oct 1, 2021.
Hosts Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Cindy McKenney, ACHS Office Staff.
Karen George, Anoka Princess 1979-1980.
Karen George
Anoka Princess, 1979-1980
While preparing for her first year of college at Concordia College in Morehead, MN, Karen George was invited to participate in the candidate program for Miss Anoka. In a group of 45 candidates, George became one of the Anoka Princesses, October 1979.
Throughout 1980 during her reign, she participated in many parades and events representing the city of Anoka, along with her fellow Princess, Karen Kind and Anoka Queen, Holly Lysdahl.
Later in life Karen served as President of Anoka Halloween, Inc in 2008 , 2009 and 2019 as well as a Minneapolis Aquatennial Captain in 2014. In 2026, Anoka Halloween appointed her Grand Marshall for all the Halloween Parades!
Miss Anoka Holly Lysdahl and Anoka Princess Karen George on the pre-1980 pink and purple Anoka parade float.
Anoka Princesses Karen George and Karen Kind on the new Anoka Halloween float at the Waite Parke parade, 1980.
Karen George and the other Anoka royalty flanked by candidates at the 1980 Anoka Coronation ceremony.
Close-up of Karen George’s crown when she served as Anoka Princess, 1979-1980.
The dress Karen George wore during parades and events during her year as Anoka Princess, 1979-1980.
Anoka County Library Minute
Further Reading:
Adult Fiction, Fantasy, & Mystery
Playing the witch card by K.J. Dell'Antonia
The very secret society of irregular witches (fantasy) by Sangu Mandanna
The late-night witches Auralee Wallace
Howloween murder by Laurien Berenson
Hallowe'en party: a Hercule Poirot mystery by Agatha Christie
Fudge bites by Nancy Coco
Non-fiction Fun
The Halloween songbook: 27 frightfully fun songs to play and sing
Weird but true!: Halloween: 300 spooky facts to scare you silly Julie Beer
Children
How to catch a witch (picture book) by Alice Walstead
Boo, Katie Woo! (reader) by Fran Manushkin
The Case of the mummy mystery (EJ) by James Preller
Hellaween (juvenile graphic novel) by Moss Lawton
Grounded for all eternity (juvenile fantasy) by Darcy Marks
Trick-or-treat: a happy haunter's Halloween (juvenile non-fiction) by Debbie Leppanen