Thief River Falls will serve as Minnesota's Capital for a Day in 2008.
Thief River Falls was one of five cities -- Bemidji among them -- chosen for the honor today in St. Paul. The announcement was made by Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission Executive Director Jane Leonard during an event at the State Capitol.
Representatives of the communities said the program gives them a chance to show the rest of the state what they have to offer. And it gives each community an opportunity to work on a joint project.
"This is something that we can do with the community together," Thief River Falls Mayor Steve Nordhagen said.
"Minnesota is blessed with hundreds of unique and wonderful communities," Pawlenty said in a press release. "Added together, they make our state great. During our sesquicentennial year, we'll celebrate what brings us together and look forward to another 150 years of the enterprising and innovative spirit that makes Minnesota special."
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During two weeks of online voting in November, Minnesotans chose five honorary capitals for the state's Sesquicentennial year. One community in each of Minnesota's five "biomes," or unique geological areas, was chosen to be an honorary capital during 2008. Each "Capital for a Day" will have a designated day during Statehood Week, May 11-18, 2008, as their official day.
Besides Thief River Falls and Bemidji, the other communities chosen were Detroit Lake, New Ulm and Winona. Sixty-nine communities in all were nominated.
Detroit Lakes Mayor Larry Buboltz added that while St. Paul is a good capital, "there are great communities in greater Minnesota."
And Bemidji City Councilman Jerry Downs added: "It is a great way to showcase what is gong on in Bemidji."
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State Capitol Bureau reporter Don Davis contributed to this story.
