Minnesota and Wisconsin Events Level Up with $25K Windfall

Two events, one in Minnesota and one in Wisconsin, are getting a chance to take things to the next level with a $25,000 prize.

Cenex gas stations had a contest called the "Hometown Throwdown", over 500 events were submitted through social media and competed for the $100,000 grand prize and two $25,000 prizes.

The grand prize went to Soybean Festival in Norborne, Missouri, held each August since 1982, the family event will be able to upgrade the festivities with $100,000, enough to upgrade the crowns for King and Queen Soybean.

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An event in Wisconsin is also walking away with some prize money, the Hayward Musky Festival in Hayward, Wisconsin will get $25,000, the annual event held the weekend after Father's Day each year draws thousands of people to the weekend-long event that features a variety of events and shopping, and of course fishing.

Minnesota is also home to a prize winning event, the Roseau Fall Harvest Festival in Roseau will also get $25,000 to step things up in the coming years, the Fall Harvest Festival is held during the first weekend of October.

Voting closed for the "Hometown Throwdown" on May 16th, the contest was announced on October 1st, 2023, and nominations closed on December 15. This is the first time this contest has been held, and I love the concept, what a great opportunity for these events to get some unexpected money to try new things or to improve what they already have.