Rubbing Shoulders with Royalty: A Conversation with 2026 Klondike Kate Ruby Ericson
The revered title of Klondike Kate has been bestowed upon a new queen - White Bear Lake resident Ruby Ericson. In the highly anticipated competition, held at Inwood Oaks Event Center in Oakdale on January 7th, Ericson stood out among her peers with her captivating performance, ultimately claiming the coveted role.
Ericson's musical journey dates back to her childhood fascination with Mae West, a sassy icon who inspired her to emulate confidence and charisma. This spark ignited a lifelong passion for music that has been an integral part of her life. With a background in Sweet Adelines International and other choral groups, Ericson's versatility as a singer is undeniable.
When asked about the experience of competing again after two previous attempts, Ericson expressed her joy of being back on stage with familiar faces who are like "family" to her. It was a feeling she described as liberating, allowing her to express herself freely and share that energy with the audience.
For Ericson, singing has long been more than just a hobby - it's an outlet for her emotions and a means of self-expression. When faced with difficult times or feelings of sadness, music is her escape, lifting her spirits and freeing her soul. This connection to song has guided her on her musical journey, shaping her into the performer she is today.
As the newly crowned Klondike Kate, Ericson now embodies the legacy of a real-life Gold Rush entertainer who inspired the contest's inception. She plans to carry this torch forward, aiming to inspire young women to take risks and pursue their passions in music and beyond. With a keen desire to leave a lasting impact, Ericson hopes that her reign as Klondike Kate will serve as a beacon for those seeking confidence and self-expression.
As the 2026 St. Paul Winter Carnival prepares to kick off on January 22nd, Ruby Ericson is poised to make an unforgettable mark. With a renewed sense of purpose and dedication to carrying on the legacy of her predecessor, she is ready to take the stage once more, spreading joy and positivity wherever she goes.
The revered title of Klondike Kate has been bestowed upon a new queen - White Bear Lake resident Ruby Ericson. In the highly anticipated competition, held at Inwood Oaks Event Center in Oakdale on January 7th, Ericson stood out among her peers with her captivating performance, ultimately claiming the coveted role.
Ericson's musical journey dates back to her childhood fascination with Mae West, a sassy icon who inspired her to emulate confidence and charisma. This spark ignited a lifelong passion for music that has been an integral part of her life. With a background in Sweet Adelines International and other choral groups, Ericson's versatility as a singer is undeniable.
When asked about the experience of competing again after two previous attempts, Ericson expressed her joy of being back on stage with familiar faces who are like "family" to her. It was a feeling she described as liberating, allowing her to express herself freely and share that energy with the audience.
For Ericson, singing has long been more than just a hobby - it's an outlet for her emotions and a means of self-expression. When faced with difficult times or feelings of sadness, music is her escape, lifting her spirits and freeing her soul. This connection to song has guided her on her musical journey, shaping her into the performer she is today.
As the newly crowned Klondike Kate, Ericson now embodies the legacy of a real-life Gold Rush entertainer who inspired the contest's inception. She plans to carry this torch forward, aiming to inspire young women to take risks and pursue their passions in music and beyond. With a keen desire to leave a lasting impact, Ericson hopes that her reign as Klondike Kate will serve as a beacon for those seeking confidence and self-expression.
As the 2026 St. Paul Winter Carnival prepares to kick off on January 22nd, Ruby Ericson is poised to make an unforgettable mark. With a renewed sense of purpose and dedication to carrying on the legacy of her predecessor, she is ready to take the stage once more, spreading joy and positivity wherever she goes.
I'm still in shock that Ruby Ericson won Klondike Kate! I remember when I saw her compete last year 
, but I didn't think she had a shot this time around. But now that she's the new queen, I'm all about supporting her 
. I love how she mentioned Mae West as her inspiration - that girl is a legend 
! Anyway, can't wait to see what she does next... and btw, has anyone else seen her perform live yet? 
... I mean, who needs some random title just because you can sing well? It's not like it's going to change anyone's life or make them a better person. And what's up with the competition part? Can't we all just enjoy music for itself without having to compete? Ericson's got talent, sure, but does she really deserve this whole "Klondike Kate" thing? It feels like a marketing gimmick to me 
, but honestly i'm a bit skeptical about all the royalty vibes they're throwing around... it's just a singing competition lol 
, can't she just be known as the girl who sang well instead of Klondike Kate? and also what's up with these people always talking about legacy and leaving a mark? like, chill 
, we get it, you're passionate about music.
. It's amazing how music can be a release from life's challenges - her story resonates with so many people out there 
. As the new Klondike Kate, I'm excited to see what she'll bring to the table in terms of inspiring young women to chase their passions 
. The St. Paul Winter Carnival is going to be lit with her performance! 
Can't wait to see more of this talented queen slay the stage 
! It's amazing to see her embracing her passions and inspiring others to do the same. As a music lover myself, I can totally relate to finding solace in singing during tough times 
!
it feels like just another trophy to add to someone's shelf... and what's with all the fuss about Mae West, anyway? was she really that big of a deal? 
on the other hand, i do get why singing is important for Ruby Ericson - music does seem to be a great way to express yourself and all that. but can't she just sing without being Klondike Kate now? 
but i gotta admit, Ruby Ericson sounds like a cool chick, been around music since childhood and all that... it's nice to see someone passionate about it and using it as an outlet 
I mean, congrats to Ruby Ericson on becoming Klondike Kate or whatever. But can we talk about the fact that the competition is still held at the same event center? Like, didn't they learn anything from the previous years? Can't they mix it up a bit? 
And don't even get me started on the fact that they're already setting her up as some kind of inspiration for young women... isn't she still a person who has to deal with her own struggles and doubts? 
I love how passionate she is about music, it's infectious! She's got this amazing energy on stage and it's clear why she won. It's awesome that she's using her platform to inspire young women to chase their dreams too. 
anyway, congrats to her, imma go listen to some ericson music now 
Like, I can totally see why music would be such a huge outlet for her - it's like it gives her a different energy or something 
. Anyway, I'm hyped to see her take on the St. Paul Winter Carnival gig and share that confidence and positivity with everyone 
I loved how she spoke about her childhood inspiration from mae west lol classic! but seriously though as Klondike Kate she's gonna do so much good for young women everywhere it's awesome to see someone using their platform like that 
It's amazing how music has become her escape and means of self-expression. I'm all about her spreading confidence and positivity wherever she goes 
I'm so hyped for this new Klondike Kate Ruby Ericson 
She's so talented and has been working hard towards this moment for a long time