The final-round song Ruby Ericson sang for the 2026 Klondike Kate competition felt particularly appropriate for the role she went on to win as the bawdy songstress of Winter Carnival legend.

Ruby Ericson from White Bear Lake reacts to being sashed as the 2026 Klondike Kate at the annual Klondike Kate contest at Inwood Oaks Event Center in Oakdale on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

“We say, bring on the men / and let the fun begin! / A little touch of sin / why wait another minute?” Ericson belted out to the enthusiastic crowd of several hundred, from the 1990 musical “Jekyll & Hyde.”

Four women competed for the title of Klondike Kate on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 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 winner was decided by a nine-judge panel including several former Kates and local musicians Wayne Hamilton and Cate Fierro. As always in recent years, the competition was emceed by KSTP-TV anchor Matt Belanger with live piano accompaniment from Kates musical director Dave Swanson.

The 2026 St. Paul Winter Carnival kicks off on Thursday, Jan. 22.

The two runners-up for the 2026 competition were fourth-time competitor Kat Connery, a voice actor and fiber artist from Robbinsdale, and third-time competitor Bonnie Lopez of West St. Paul. Although first-time competitor Ericka Golden was eliminated prior to the final round, she wowed the crowd with renditions of songs by Guns ‘n’ Roses and Aerosmith that departed from the Kates’ typical bawdy cabaret-style repertoire.

Ericson, of White Bear Lake, has been a member of women’s singing group Sweet Adelines International since 1987 and is an active member of a contemporary church ensemble group. She has also previously been a karaoke host and delivered singing telegrams with the local organization Eastern Onion.

After Ericson was “sashed” as the 2026 Klondike Kate, we caught up with her between photo-ops to ask some questions.

Q: This was your third year competing for the title. What was it like being back this time around?

A: I love being onstage. And for me, the gals that I was singing with tonight are so like family, so it’s fun to share the stage with them.

Q: What was the first moment in your life that you remember feeling that you might want to become Klondike Kate one day?

A: Probably when I was 6 years old. Mae West, for me — not a Kate, but she was pretty sassy, and I thought that would be someone fun to emulate! And the St. Paul Winter Carnival was such a staple in our family.

Q: Whether we’re talking about karaoke or singing telegrams or choral performance, why has singing been such a central part of your life?

A: It frees my soul, and takes me out of my shell. When I have moments of sadness or when I’m feeling down, music just lifts me.

Q: What are you looking forward to in terms of carrying on the legacy of the real Klondike Kate over the next year and beyond?

A: I would love to inspire young ladies to take on this challenge and become Klondike Kate, too, or even pursue a career in music. I want them to follow their dream, whatever it is.

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