Parade and Steller Name 40 Finalists in America’s Favorite Small Town Contest

Parade and Steller have unveiled the 40 finalists in the nationwide search for America’s Favorite Small Town, a campaign designed to celebrate communities across the United States with populations under 250,000.

The initiative comes as the country moves toward the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, with organizers positioning the contest as a way to spotlight the character, traditions, and appeal of small-town America. After months of participation and hundreds of thousands of votes, the final group now moves on to the next stage of judging.

Among the finalists are Lodi, California; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Fredericksburg, Texas; Kalamazoo, Michigan; and Dunedin, Florida. According to the announcement, the selected communities represent a wide cross-section of the country, from historic towns and coastal destinations to culturally rich main streets and regional travel hubs.

Parade and Steller said the finalists are now being showcased across Parade.com, Steller.co, and their combined social media channels, giving the communities exposure to an audience of more than 130 million potential travelers. Steller CEO Pete Bryant said videos submitted during the competition were viewed more than 2.4 million times, underscoring strong public interest and engagement.

Parade’s Lisa Delaney, General Manager and Chief Content Officer, said the finalists reflect the stories and traditions that bring people together. The campaign will continue with regional winners announced on June 1, 2026, followed by the naming of the national winner on June 12, 2026.

The top town will receive official branding rights tied to the title and a Parade x Steller activation during its July 4 celebration, which could include celebrity appearances, sponsor giveaways, and national media coverage.

Readers can view the full list of finalists and participating towns at the official contest site.

Source:
America’s Favorite Small Towns Official Finalists Page
Steller Official Website
Steller for Business
The Arena Group

Related External Links:
Parade Official Website
Steller Travel Platform
The Arena Group Corporate Site

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