KLONDIKE KATES BIOGRAPHIES

Darice Koepke

2007 KLONDIKE KATE (Click on Photo to Enlarge)

Darice Koepke is a Saint Paul native who has loved the Winter Carnival and its Legends her whole life.  She is married with two children. She started taking Ballet lessons at the age of three, because her parents felt that she could use a little more “poise and grace”.

She sang her first public solo in the fourth grade when her school was doing a Holiday Concert at Town Square. Once she got a taste of the audience appreciation for being entertained there was no turning back!

Darice was involved with the Saint Paul Winter Carnival in the late 70’s and early 80’s as a Page at the Queen’s Coronations and Junior Royalty Coronations.  She was also Color Guard for the Junior Royalty during the same years.  Some of her best memories of Winter Carnival include marching in parades in all kinds of weather and watching the Royal Guards “Battle” with the Vulcans.

Becoming Klondike Kate is something that Darice has dreamed of since seeing Sandy Wylie in 1977.  The vocal talent, the attitude and sass, and the crowd reaction are what had this wide eyed girl hooked at an early age.  After finally deciding that she was “experienced” enough to compete for this title, it took her four attempts to succeed.  When asked by friends why she kept coming back, she told them “ You think you have it, but you learn each time you compete.  I’ve had a few years to get to know the Kates a little bit so it makes the transition a little easier for all of us.  I am grateful that it took me as long as it did.  I never would have been ready for this change before now!”