The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce that Sandpoint, Idaho has been named the Most Beautiful Small Town in the USA by Rand McNally and USA Today. This honor comes to Sandpoint after weeks of travel by a lucky couple, Dan and JoAnne Schaub, who won the chance to go on the Best of the Road Rally. Last week they arrived in Los Angeles for the finale and celebration of the rally and on Thursday, July 21, the winning towns were announced at the Destination Marketing Association International’s Annual Convention being held in New Orleans, Louisiana.
There, the Shaub’s displayed their “traveler’s journal” to a group of judges and discussed each town’s individual beauty. It is tough to say how much the Schaub’s influenced the judges but, based on the tears that were exchanged on their departure of Sandpoint, it is easy to believe they were in Sandpoint’s corner. However, it was up to the judges and the competition was stiff with Baker City, Oregon, Coral Gables, Florida, Franklin, Tennessee, Marcos Island, Florida, and Pacifica, California all being contenders for the title.
Sandpoint was by far the smallest of the towns in the Most Beautiful category. What won the judges over? It could have been the serene landscape, the genuine small town feel, or the population of typical Americans living a dream life they have all chosen with humility. That is certainly what wins over every person who travels through, stops and strikes up a conversation with a local.
Citizens of Sandpoint embrace life with a large passion for the outdoors, a slow pace, and a friendly neighbor feel. It was not solely Sandpoint’s beauty that won the award because the town offers so much more than what is on the surface. Once you visit Sandpoint, you will fall in love with it. The best part about the Schaub’s visit is you can have the exact same experience as the Schaub’s. Sandpoint is a real small town, with genuine people who love living here, enjoying every day to the fullest. Art fills the shops, music floods the air, and bikes swamp the roads. A true destination unlike anywhere else.
A big thanks goes out to Dan and JoAnne Schaub for their participation in the Best of the Road Rally showing the world how great of a place we are, and to Rand McNally and USA Today Travel for sponsoring the rally. Most of all, an even larger thanks to all our local citizens and business owners who made this happen. Without you, the fabric of our community would not be the same.
For more information on Sandpoint, Idaho please contact the Visitor Center at 1-800-800-2106 or go to www.visitsandpoint.org. Please help us celebrate this summer by visiting and experiencing what we have to offer.
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