The Origins

When news reached the streets of Bemidji that the town had won the vote, the citizens unleashed the wildest celebration in its history. The Bemidji Daily Pioneer celebrated with the headline “EXTRA!! Bemidji Wins the Sixth Normal School by Unanimous Vote” and recounted the scene:

“As the news reached Bemidji, the town almost went wild. The fire whistle was blown and both whistles of the lumber company mills were set off and continued to blow for almost an hour. Automobiles paraded through the streets tooting their horns, and shouts of joy from boys and men were heard everywhere. The fire bell was clanging and together with the firecrackers and other explosives, Bemidji celebrated one the of the greatest events of its history. A procession of automobiles loaded with enthusiasts was quickly formed and crowded the streets of the city, taking entire possession of every available thoroughfare. To say that all acted like a lot of ‘crazy hoodlums’ is putting it mildly. Boys formed in line with tin pans and sticks and all in all the town presented one of the wildest scenes ever known in its history.”