A group of businessmen in the small town of Gilbert, Minnesota -- up on the iron range near the Canadian border -- came up with an idea to draw tourists and money to their town. They created a summer weekend festival named "Whorehouse Days," hoping that the name would draw publicity. It was supposed to take place on July 9-10, with events such as a four-poster bed race, a best-dressed madame contest, and a performance of something called "The Best Little Whorehouse In Gilbert." They even set up a web page, whorehousedays.com.

To be fair, Gilbert had been a center of prostitution in the lumber and iron-mining days of the early 20th century. But its current residents did not share the businessmen's enthusiasm. They worried about the image that the festival would give to their town, and they worried about the kind of people who would be attracted to such a festival, even if those people did spend money.

Feeling the heat, the Gilbert City Council called a meeting and cancelled the festival, only three days before it was to start, and even though its organizers had attracted nearly $50,000 in sponsorships and were filling up nearby hotels with weekend reservations.

The businessmen are now seeking a lawyer to represent their interests. They insist they will try to host the festival next summer.

The city of Gilbert prefers to be known as "Home of Minnesota's First Off Highway Vehicle Recreation Area." [07/12/2005]

February 10, 2012