Bemidji named official Hallmark Christmas Town, finishes in Top 25 nationwide

BEMIDJI, Minn. (Valley News Live) - Bemidji is officially a Hallmark Christmas Town.

The city placed in the Top 25 in the Hallmark Channel’s Merriest Christmas Towns contest, selected from more than 1,500 submissions nationwide. Visit Bemidji Executive Director Josh Peterson announced the result in a Facebook post, congratulating Carlinville, Illinois, which took the No. 1 spot.

Carlinville will serve as a filming location for an upcoming Hallmark movie as part of the win.

Despite the loss, Bemidji and the other 23 finalists are still recognized as official Hallmark Christmas Towns.

Peterson thanked community members who voted daily after Bemidji was named a finalist in August, including supporters who stopped by the Bemidji experience at the Minnesota State Fair.

Bemidji was the only Minnesota town to make the Top 25.

Visit Bemidji is encouraging visitors to experience Bemidji’s holiday offerings this season.