One of the biggest laughs of the 2025 Klondike Kate competition came from the woman who’d eventually win the title.

Before singing her second-round song, candidate Ame’ Jo Peach was asked to share the best piece of advice she received that has come in handy during the competition.

“There’s a difference between good girls and bad girls,” she said. “Good girls don’t get caught — just saying. Hi, Dad, how are you?”

Seven women competed for the title of Klondike Kate on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Inwood Oaks Event Center in Oakdale. The contest, inspired by a real-life Gold Rush entertainer named Kathleen Rockwell, has chosen a new “mistress of fun, frivolity and good fellowship” before the Winter Carnival just about every year since 1971.

This year’s Klondike Kate was selected by a panel of judges including local singer Kat Perkins, who competed on NBC’s “The Voice” in 2014, myTalk 107.1 radio host Dawn McClain and Winter Carnival personalities including several Klondike Kates and former King Boreas Billy Given.

The 2025 St. Paul Winter Carnival kicks off on Thursday, Jan. 23.

Peach, from Zimmerman, is the co-owner of DJ/karaoke company Music Box Entertainment and has participated in choirs and church productions since her youth. This is her second year competing for the title.

Indeed, becoming Klondike Kate can take a couple of tries: Both the 2023 Kate, Maret Bylander, and last year’s Kate, Jody Vander Hart, also had previous competition experience before being officially “sashed.”

Also in the final three for the 2025 competition were Kat Connery, a returning favorite who had the crowd clapping along to a final-round performance of “Let Me Be There” by Olivia Newton-John, and newcomer Meg Nipe, an elementary school music teacher who delivered a stunning second-round cover of Kelly Clarkson’s “Breakaway.” Other competitors included Bonnie Lopez, Ruby Ericson, Kira Sable and Katie Johnson.

Ame’ Jo Peach from Zimmerman reacts after being sashed as the 2025 Klondike Kate during the annual contest at Inwood Oaks Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

After Peach earned this year’s Klondike Kate sash, we caught up with her between photo-ops to ask some questions.

Q: You were on stage last year, too. What was it like competing a second time?

A: This year was a little different. I was a little more prepared, and I would encourage anybody who wants to participate in the contest to do research and get to know the ladies. They’re amazing women who will help you, a great group of girls, and I’m looking forward to being a Klondike Kate.

Q: With Music Box Entertainment, karaoke and DJing are such a big part of your life — why is singing and encouraging people to sing so important for you?

A: Because everybody has a song, somewhere deep inside of them. Our motto is ‘sing your soul,’ and I truly believe that every single person has something to sing.

For me, I want to draw you in, I want you to have fun and enjoy yourself. If I can be a positive influence or create a positive impact, I really look forward to that.

Q: Both last year and this year, you mentioned honoring your mom in vying to become Klondike Kate. What does it mean to have earned the title?

A: My mom passed away in 2012, and since the 80s, she wanted to be a Klondike Kate. Back in that day, you had to be born in St. Paul or sponsored by a business in St. Paul, and my mom didn’t know a whole lot of people here, so she didn’t get that opportunity, and it kind of went to the wayside. She had a stroke in 2002 or 2003, and it paralyzed her vocal cords.

I did this for her last year, and then I lost my boyfriend in April, so this has been a roller coaster year. But it’s such a legacy to carry on, and I’m really looking forward to being Kate this year. We did it, Mom.

Related Articles

Vote for the 2025 canine king and queen of the St. Paul Winter Carnival and Doggie Depot

Amelia Peach of Zimmerman has been sashed as the 2025 Klondike Kate

Voting now underway for St. Paul Winter Carnival’s canine royalty

Hundreds of cats from across the country and Canada to compete in St. Paul

Here are the 2025 Winter Carnival buttons, designed by painter and snow sculptor Heather Friedli