Maret Bylander of Stillwater is 2023 Klondike Kate, donning the traditional sash

Submitted by Administrator on Wed, 01/11/2023 - 10:21 PM

Five women vied to succeed Tina Hacker, 2022 Klondike Kate, as part of the St. Paul Winter Carnival.

By PIONEER PRESS | news@pioneerpress.com | Pioneer Press

Maret Bylander is the new Klondike Kate.

The Stillwater woman donned the 2023 sash Wednesday night after a performance competition that is a traditional prelude to the St. Paul Winter Carnival. This year’s event took place at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel on St. Paul’s East Side.

Five women vied to succeed Tina Hacker, the 2022 Klondike Kate.

Klondike Kate hopefuls are judged on musical performance, song choice, vocal abilities, costuming, crowd appeal and authenticity in portraying the real-life character, Klondike Kate.

The contest, started in 1971, celebrates the spirit of dance hall girls of the Gold Rush, and Kate is the carnival’s “mistress of fun, frivolity and good fellowship.”

The 2023 St. Paul Winter Carnival runs from Jan. 26 to Feb. 5.

Maret Bylander of Stillwater is 2023 Klondike Kate, donning the traditional sash

Five women vied to succeed Tina Hacker, 2022 Klondike Kate, as part of the St. Paul Winter Carnival.

Maret Bylander, 2023 Klondike Kate, is sashed by 2022 Klondike Kate Tina Hacker at the end of the Klondike Kate contest at the DoubleTree by Hilton Saint Paul East on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

2023 Klondike Kate Maret Bylander waves to the crowd after being sashed at the end of the Klondike Kate contest at the DoubleTree by Hilton Saint Paul East on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Maret Bylander from Stillwater, sings during the 2023 Klondike Kate contest at the DoubleTree by Hilton Saint Paul East on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Maret Bylander from Stillwater, sings during the 2023 Klondike Kate contest at the DoubleTree by Hilton Saint Paul East on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Antoinette (Toni) Coffey from Brooklyn Park performs during the 2023 Klondike Kate contest at the DoubleTree by Hilton Saint Paul East on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Antoinette (Toni) Coffey from Brooklyn Park performs during the 2023 Klondike Kate contest at the DoubleTree by Hilton Saint Paul East on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Kat Connery, from Robbinsdale, sings during the 2023 Klondike Kate contest at the DoubleTree by Hilton Saint Paul East on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Kat Connery, from Robbinsdale, sings during the 2023 Klondike Kate contest at the DoubleTree by Hilton Saint Paul East on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Jody Vander Hart, from Vadnais Heights, sings during the Klondike Kate contest at the DoubleTree by Hilton Saint Paul East on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Jody Vander Hart, from Vadnais Heights, sings during the Klondike Kate contest at the DoubleTree by Hilton Saint Paul East on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Teri Theno-Erb from Oakdale sings during the 2023 Klondike Kate contest at the DoubleTree by Hilton Saint Paul East on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Teri Theno-Erb from Oakdale sings during the 2023 Klondike Kate contest at the DoubleTree by Hilton Saint Paul East on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Tags