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.
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