SouthWest Transit Celebrates 40th Anniversary and Announces Second Annual Community Design Contest

• October 22, 2025

Eden Prairie, Minn., May 6, 2026 — Back by popular demand, SouthWest Transit’s second annual Community Design Contest invites young artists to design original artwork for two shuttle buses celebrating Minnesota’s most iconic summer events, the State Fair and the Renaissance Festival. 

Last year’s inaugural contest received 30 submissions, and this year SouthWest Transit is once again offering young artists the chance to see their ideas turned into moving artwork across the southwest metro. 

Two winners will be selected with their designs transformed into full bus wraps and featured on shuttle buses serving the State Fair and Renaissance Festival. Winners will also be recognized at a SouthWest Transit Commission meeting on July 16, where they’ll share their designs with community leaders. 

“This contest is one of our favorite ways to connect with the communities we serve,” said Erik Hansen, CEO of SouthWest Transit. “It gives young artists a platform to share their creativity while celebrating two of Minnesota’s most well-loved summer events.” 

The contest is open to students ages 11–18 who live or attend school in Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, Chaska, Carver, and Victoria. 

Entry forms and design templates are available starting May 6, 2026, at www.swtransit.org/community-design-contest/ and at SouthWest Transit’s administrative office in Eden Prairie. 

All submissions are due by June 12, 2026, at 5:00 PM and will be judged on creativity, originality, color use, and overall adherence to the Minnesota State Fair and Renaissance Festival theme. 

Winners will be announced in June and featured across SouthWest Transit promotional channels. 

Full contest details can be found on the SWT website. 

In addition to the contest, SouthWest Transit is bringing back its BOGO shuttle promotion. Riders who purchase a shuttle ticket to either the Minnesota State Fair or the Renaissance Festival will receive a free ride to the other event for another day. 

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About SouthWest Transit 

SouthWest Transit is an award-winning Transit agency serving the SouthWest Twin Cities area through bus, on-demand rideshare, and shuttle services. The agency is committed to serving the needs of their customers through diverse and innovative transit solutions that build community and connect customers from where they are to where they want to go. Visit www.swtransit.org for more information and follow along on LinkedIn. 

Media Contact 
Amy Boehm 
SouthWest Transit 
aboehm@swtransit.org 
952-974-3108