 Minnesota Monthly is going to shine a spotlight on 2017's Best Minnesota Town, which is the best town that embodies the spirit of Minnesota. Both Bemidji and Walker are in the top five towns that have been selected. Bemidji, known as the first city on the Mississippi and the home to Minnesota Monthly's best roadside attraction, Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. Visit Bemidji will be sending a delegation of community members down to the Best Minnesota Party to celebrate the honor and to see if the city of Bemidji will be recognized as number one. We are taking a shuttle bus, and we have got a good representation of all of the key community stakeholders, and so we're going to have a parade of plaid as we go down and join in this great celebration. The town of Walker will also be present at the party and is honored to be recognized as one of Minnesota's best towns. Walker and Bemidji are the only two towns north of the Twin Cities that are up for the honor, which some say goes to show why Northern Minnesota is so special. I think that just goes to show how we can be Northern Minnesota, but yet we've got some pretty special characteristics in whatever size town you're in. Now the winner of the Best Minnesota Town Contest will be showcased in a multi-page editorial feature, receive a campaign valued at over $50,000, and have a party thrown in its honor. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.