The people have spoken and Kraft Heinz’s Velveeta cheese block is decidedly not the “coolest thing” made in Minnesota.

Thirty-two products are still holding tightly to their dreams of being named the “Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota,” but the competition, hosted by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and BMO, is heating up fast.

“Round 1 drew an incredible response, with thousands of votes cast across the state,” said Doug Loon, president and CEO of the Minnesota Chamber, in a news release.

What started as a list of 64 products, chosen by a council of industry peers, has already narrowed to 16 head-to-head matchups.

Velveeta was knocked out in Round 1, but another classic Minnesota shelf-stable food remains in Round 2: SPAM is pitted against Volo Aire, a 26-foot tall, three-story playground tower from Landscape Structures Inc.

A spacious canvas outdoor backpack, called The Wanderer from Duluth Pack, is facing off against the Freshly Frozen dessert line from The Buttered Tin. Based in St. Paul, The Buttered Tin’s Freshly Frozen line includes cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls and an assortment of hand pies and traditional pies.

The hand-painted Gunflint Canoe Paddle from Winona-based Sanborn Canoe Company will take on the teardrop-shaped trailer from St. Paul-based Vistabule this week.

Other products still in the running include railings found in NFL stadiums from Sightline Commercial Solutions, an all-terrain military vehicle from Polaris and baseball bats from Pillbox Bat Co.

“What’s exciting is seeing both large manufacturers and small hometown companies advance — and the way their employees and communities are rallying behind them,” Loon said. “This contest is already shining a spotlight on the pride Minnesotans have in what we make here.”

Each week, the competition will be cut in half until one product is named the “Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota” at the 2025 Manufacturers’ Summit on Oct. 7.

Round two voting is open now. To cast your vote, go to http://pipr.es/CcOxwe4.

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