Oak Harbor is in the running for America’s Favorite Small Town, and it needs Whidbey residents’ votes to win.

The city is representing the island in a nationwide small-town popularity competition hosted by Parade, an online culture news, wellness and entertainment magazine, and Steller, a travel planning app for about 1.5 million Gen Z and Millennial travelers. There are 27 other self-nominated Washington small towns in the running, including Walla Walla, Chelan and Port Angeles.

Each voter is entered to win a $1,500 prize package towards a trip. If Oak Harbor wins, it will receive national recognition as America’s Favorite Small Town and coverage in Parade’s Favorite Small Towns in America special print issue. It would also have bragging rights with a “Favorite Small Town in America” signage. The winning town will also enjoy a “Parade x Steller activation,” at its July 4 celebration, with potential celebrity involvement and sponsor giveaways, Parade’s website states.

The Chamber of Commerce Director Eric Marshall, a city council member who has been an Oak Harbor resident since the 1980s, entered Oak Harbor into the running. Though times have changed since he first started living in Oak Harbor, it’s still that safe town for kids to grow up in and enjoy the enrichment of the island, he explained.

“We have so much to offer in terms of outdoor recreation, community spirit, good shopping, the option to go out to eat,” he said. As he got further into the application process it became more apparent, he said, how great Oak Harbor is.

Together with military members and its diverse population, Oak Harbor boasts a beautiful community, he said.

“One of the things I love most about our community is the way that we rally around each other. I mean if somebody needs help, the other other people in the community are quick to help,” Marshall said. “So just a little bit town but with that small-town feel and connectedness.”

He also pointed to the city’s setting.

“We’re uniquely set in terms of our geographic location, with mountains on both sides, access to the beaches, lake,” Marshall said. “We’re in a very cool location.”

State winners will be announced on June 1 and National winner will receive their recognition on June 12.

You can vote daily for your favorite small town. Cast your vote at americasfavoritesmalltowns.parade.com to put Oak Harbor in the national spotlight.