Photos: Contestants dazzle during 2023 Klondike Kate contest

Part of the St. Paul Winter Carnival festivities, the Klondike Kate Contest determines who will host two weekends of Cabaret performances. The new Kate is Maret Bylander. 
Photos by Erica Dischino Star Tribune
January 12, 2023 — 6:52am

SCROLL

Maret Bylander waves to the crowd after being crowned as the new Klondike Kate during the 2023 Klondike Kate Contest a part of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival festivities Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023 at the DoubleTree Hilton in St.Paul, Minn. The contest is held each January and once crowned, the new Klondike Kate hosts two weekends of Cabaret performances.

Erica Dischino, Special to the Star Tribune

Contestant Kat Connery, left, gets ready with 2008 Klondike Kate winner Audra Weier before the 2023 Klondike Kate Contest a part of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival festivities.

Erica Dischino, Special to the Star Tribune

2001 Klondike Kate winner Wendy Miller, left, shares a laugh with contestant Antoinette "Toni" Coffey before the 2023 Klondike Kate Contest a part of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival festivities.

Erica Dischino, Special to the Star Tribune

1997 Klondike Kate winner Shar Salisbury pins a sparkling corset to her sash before the 2023 Klondike Kate Contest.

Erica Dischino, Special to the Star Tribune

Former Klondike Kates perform during the 2023 Klondike Kate Contest.

Erica Dischino, Special to the Star Tribune

2003 Klondike Kate Kimberly Tsoukalas embraces the newly crowned Kate, Maret Bylander.

Erica Dischino, Special to the Star Tribune

A contestant leaves the stage during the 2023 Klondike Kate Contest.

Erica Dischino, Special to the Star Tribune

Emcee Matt Belanger, left, poses for a photo with former Klondike Kate Lois Laurie, who has volunteered for the organization for 30 years, during the 2023 Klondike Kate Contest.

Erica Dischino, Special to the Star Tribune

1997 Klondike Kate winner Shar Salisbury watches from the side of the stage during the 2023 Klondike Kate Contest.

Erica Dischino, Special to the Star Tribune

MeAyila Priere, 10, shares an emotional moment with her grandmother Tina Hacker who sang her farewells as the 2022 Klondike Kate.

Erica Dischino, Special to the Star Tribune

Finalist Maret Bylander is crowned as the new Klondike Kate during the 2023 Klondike Kate Contest.

Erica Dischino, Special to the Star Tribune

© 2024 StarTribune. All rights reserved.