Efforts to redesign the Minnesota state flag are ongoing, and the state has recently shared the design submissions that could soon be flying outside the state capital and around Minnesota.
Altogether, more than 2,100 submissions have been submitted in the contest, which will see the old state flag replaced. Submissions can be seen on the state’s website.
Anita Gaul, the vice chair of the State Emblems Redesign Commission, joined News Talk 830 WCCO’s Vineeta Sawkar on The WCCO Morning News to discuss the redesign plan.
Gaul shared that from the designs she’s seen, a couple of themes have emerged, including the North Star, loons, and blue-colored flags.
When it comes to how the commission will narrow down the designs, Gaul shared that it will include a full review of every submission, comments that people are leaving on designs, and a top 25 selection from every person on the commission.
Then, on Nov. 21, the commission will meet in St. Paul and select their semifinalists before deciding on a top five overall and then the best.
While some designs seem throughout and meaningful, others are less serious long shots, with a photo of someone’s dog being a submission.
Gaul says that Minnesotans shouldn’t worry, as the commission has gone through training to help them understand a good flag from a bad one.
“The flag has to have meaningful symbols,” Gaul shared while adding that some of the joke submissions, including a flag that says “Bayg” in reference to the Minnesota accent, are funny but not going to make the cut.
Submissions for the new state flag and state seal are required to be before the legislature by January, so Gaul says that her team is moving quickly.