Everybody knows that Paul Bunyan is claimed by more towns than a person can count.  But now, at least one Paul Bunyan impersonator is facing the same ‘calamity of fame’. Or, in his case, more likely the joy of it!

Paul Bunyan has been parading through America’s folksy fascination with tall tales for years. While some say the Bunyan stories got their start in late 19th century Canada, folks from post card collectors to lumber yard owners to regular joes, thumb their noses at that notion and point to the fact that the first printed public record of Paul Bunyan came out of Detroit, Michigan, in 1910. Only a few years passed, and Minnesota, Maine, Wisconsin, even California and New York, had grabbed onto the Bunyan magic, with many cities claiming him as their home-town boy for one reason or another.

Paul Bunyan recently spent quite a bit of time with Lions. It was a departure from hanging around with a Blue Ox, but both Paul and the Lions had a great time!

Your name in lights may be small potatoes compared to putting your name in plaid!  Sponsor the Paul Bunyan costume for the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association and see your name on the big plaid shirt every time Paul Bunyan appears in parades and community events or a picture is snapped of Paul Bunyan.

Dec. 7, 2006, the PBSBA participated for the first time in the Brainerd Area Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Extravaganza held every year at Madden’s Town Hall. Board members Carol Ottoson and Lynn Scharenbroich created an exhibit table showcasing Byway art, playing cards and other Byway projects.

Ride With Jim (Oberstar) entourage stopped for lunch at the Pine River Chamber building on June 4, 2006.

They came to taste-test the split pea with ham soup served up by the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association’s (PBSBA) ‘Pea Soup Shorty’, artfully characterized by board member Wayne Chamberlain.