Kalona, a rural town in Iowa, is making the national spotlight for a recent public relations campaign that involves pulling over unsuspecting out of state drivers.
The Chamber of Commerce and the town’s sheriff began pulling over out of state drivers last week. Once to the side of the road, the drivers are approached by the town’s sheriff and asked if they have about 20 hours to spend with us here in Kalona.
Drivers are then given a gift basket full of goodies from local Kalona businesses, a free night’s stay and a T-shirt that says, “Ask me about Kalona, Iowa.”
I think this is an interesting approach at stimulating tourism in rural America. However, it does raise a few questions regarding what happens in certain situations. For example, what happens if the driver they pull over has been drinking or has a warrant out for their arrest?
I’m not trying to be nit-picky and I’m sure the town has thought through all the details. These are just the first questions that come to mind.
But I’m from rural Minnesota, and I completely get what they are trying to do here. I’m sure Kalona is a nice family friendly place where everyone knows your name.
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