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Introducing 2014's Klondike Kate

January 13, 2014 at 3:30PM

Kathy Rustin-Westphal of St. Paul Park was named the 2014 Klondike Kate on Wednesday evening in Oakdale. The mother of two and 3M employee was among six candidates who sought to become the next "Mistress of Fun and Frivolity" for this year's St. Paul Winter Carnival. Klondike Kate is modeled after a real-life character who, according to carnival organizers, "so charmed the legions of miners [in the Gold Rush of 1898] that they showered her with gold dust and nuggets." She will perform throughout the two-week carnival, which begins Jan. 23. For more pictures from Wednesday's competition, go to www.startribune.com/photos.


Kathy Rustin-Westphal
Kathy Rustin-Westphal (Tom Wallace — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Kathy Rustin-Westphal performed as she competed during the 2014 Klondike Kate competition in Oakdale, Minn., on Wednesday, January 8, 2014. During the contest six contestants performed up to three songs and were judged on their singing abilities, song choice, costumes, crowd appeal, and their portrayal of the real-life character of Klondike Kate, a woman who struck it rich in the Gold Rush of 1898 as the most famous dance hall girl in the north and has since become a symbol of fun, frivolity and
Kathy Rustin-Westphal, St. Paul Park (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Amy Hopkins performed as she competed during the 2014 Klondike Kate competition in Oakdale, Minn., on Wednesday, January 8, 2014. During the contest six contestants performed up to three songs and were judged on their singing abilities, song choice, costumes, crowd appeal, and their portrayal of the real-life character of Klondike Kate, a woman who struck it rich in the Gold Rush of 1898 as the most famous dance hall girl in the north and has since become a symbol of fun, frivolity and good fell
Amy Hopkins, Baldwin, Wis. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Kristen Coulthard sang as she competed in the 2014 Klondike Kate competition in Oakdale, Minn., on Wednesday, January 8, 2014. During the contest six contestants performed up to three songs and were judged on their singing abilities, song choice, costumes, crowd appeal, and their portrayal of the real-life character of Klondike Kate, a woman who struck it rich in the Gold Rush of 1898 as the most famous dance hall girl in the north and has since become a symbol of fun, frivolity and good fellows
Kristen Coulthard, South St. Paul (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Shelley Brown performed as she competed in the 2014 Klondike Kate competition in Oakdale, Minn., on Wednesday, January 8, 2014. During the contest six contestants performed up to three songs and were judged on their singing abilities, song choice, costumes, crowd appeal, and their portrayal of the real-life character of Klondike Kate, a woman who struck it rich in the Gold Rush of 1898 as the most famous dance hall girl in the north and has since become a symbol of fun, frivolity and good fellow
Shelley Brown, Inver Grove Heights (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Michelle Frid competed during the 2014 Klondike Kate competition in Oakdale, Minn., on Wednesday, January 8, 2014. During the contest six contestants performed up to three songs and were judged on their singing abilities, song choice, costumes, crowd appeal, and their portrayal of the real-life character of Klondike Kate, a woman who struck it rich in the Gold Rush of 1898 as the most famous dance hall girl in the north and has since become a symbol of fun, frivolity and good fellowship in St. P
Michelle Frid, Vadnais Heights (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Theresa McConnon sang as she competed during the 2014 Klondike Kate competition in Oakdale, Minn., on Wednesday, January 8, 2014. During the contest six contestants performed up to three songs and were judged on their singing abilities, song choice, costumes, crowd appeal, and their portrayal of the real-life character of Klondike Kate, a woman who struck it rich in the Gold Rush of 1898 as the most famous dance hall girl in the north and has since become a symbol of fun, frivolity and good fell
Theresa McConnon, St. Paul (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Kathy Rustin-Westphal was congratulated after winning the 2014 Klondike Kate competition in Oakdale, Minn., on Wednesday, January 8, 2014. During the contest six contestants performed up to three songs and were judged on their singing abilities, song choice, costumes, crowd appeal and their portrayal of the real-life character of Klondike Kate, a woman was an entertainer and dancer during the gold rush and known for her vivacious and rebellious personality. ] RENEE JONES SCHNEIDER ‚Ä
Kathy Rustin-Westphal was congratulated after winning the 2014 Klondike Kate competition in Oakdale, Minn., on Wednesday, January 8, 2014. During the contest six contestants performed up to three songs and were judged on their singing abilities, song choice, costumes, crowd appeal and their portrayal of the real-life character of Klondike Kate, a woman was an entertainer and dancer during the gold rush and known for her vivacious and rebellious personality. ] RENEE JONES SCHNEIDER ‘Ä¢ reneejones@startribune.com ORG XMIT: MIN1401082155020145 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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