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Natalia Hemingway, the 2018 Klondike Kate, snares the title on her first try

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Natalia Hemingway, of St. Louis Park, Minn. reacts as she named the 2018 Klondike Kate for the St. Paul Winter Carnival at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. To her left is Sheryl Wiillams of Welch Township, and to her right is Shelley Pabst of South St. Paul, both contestants made it to the final round. Hemingway, a first year contestant, was encouraged to enter the contest by co-workers who insisted that she would be perfect for the role of Klondike Kate. Wowing the audience

Natalia Hemingway, of St. Louis Park, Minn. reacts as she named the 2018 Klondike Kate for the St. Paul Winter Carnival at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. To her left is Sheryl Wiillams of Welch Township, and to her right is Shelley Pabst of South St. Paul, both contestants made it to the final round. Hemingway, a first year contestant, was encouraged to enter the contest by co-workers who insisted that she would be perfect for the role of Klondike Kate. Wowing the audience with a Ralph Burns hit "All that Jazz", Hemingway said she felt grateful for the opportunity. Seven women competed for the title of Klondike Kate this year. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Natalia Hemingway perform in the first round of the 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Natalia Hemingway perform in the first round of the 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Miranda Jordan performs in the first round of the 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Miranda Jordan performs in the first round of the 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Deborah Hess performs in the first round in the 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Deborah Hess performs in the first round in the 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Rachel Orzoff performs in the first round of the 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Rachel Orzoff performs in the first round of the 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Sheryl Williams performs in the first round of the 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Sheryl Williams performs in the first round of the 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Brenda Jordan performs in the first round of the 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Brenda Jordan performs in the first round of the 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Shelley Pabst performs in the first round of the 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Shelley Pabst performs in the first round of the 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Rachel Orzoff performs in the semifinal round 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Rachel Orzoff performs in the semifinal round 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Natalia Hemingway performs in the semifinal round 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Natalia Hemingway performs in the semifinal round 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Sheryl Williams performs in the semifinal round 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Sheryl Williams performs in the semifinal round 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Deborah Hess performs in the semifinal round 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Deborah Hess performs in the semifinal round 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Shelley Pabst performs in the semifinal round 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Shelley Pabst performs in the semifinal round 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Natalia Hemingway performs in the final round 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Natalia Hemingway performs in the final round 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Natalia Hemingway waves to supporters as she celebrates being selected as the 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Natalia Hemingway waves to supporters as she celebrates being selected as the 2018 Klondike Kate Contest at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. (Pioneer Press / John Autey)

Author

Meet the 2018 Klondike Kate: Natalia Hemingway of St. Louis Park beat out six other contestants on Wednesday to earn the coveted St. Paul Winter Carnival title.

Hemingway, a first-time contestant, was encouraged to enter the contest by co-workers who insisted she’d be perfect for the role of Klondike Kate — a character described as “a lady of song and merriment” and “the most famous dance hall girl in the north.”

Klondike Kate contestants at the Envision Event Center in Oakdale performed in three rounds of musical competition on Wednesday night. They were judged on musical performance, song choice, vocal abilities, costuming, crowd appeal and character authenticity.

Hemingway’s numbers included Ralph Burns’ “All That Jazz.”

Music is in Hemingway’s blood. She recently fronted a classic-rock band and, at 5 years old, captivated a crowd at a street dance with her rendition of “Achy Breaky Heart.”

As Klondike Kate, she can expect to make over 100 appearances during her one-year reign — including singing gigs atop floats in summer parades.

The Winter Carnival has been choosing a Klondike Kate each year since 1971.

Copyright 2018 Pioneer Press.