GAINESVILLE, TX -- A big announcement today has one Texoma city celebrating their pride in the red white and blue.

Gainesville has been deemed the most patriotic city in America.
The city had to compete against six others, and it came out on top.

After weeks of competition, Rand McNally finally announced Gainesville, Texas as the 'Most Patriotic' city in America.
Gainesville residents can't hide their excitement about the new title.

"We were sitting by the computer watching the live video stream and you could just... It was just so exciting," Gainesville resident Donna Wells said.

"We know what we have here is special, but now other people are going to know that what we have here is special, and that's a big deal," said resident Donna Hertel.

"All of Gainesville has decorated up the downtown shops and that's pretty much tradition," resident Vance Wells said.

The competition first included a social media challenge, which the city took by storm.

"We just put the word out 'we need comments' and then there would just be hundreds of comments online about how great we are, and we had to be the most patriotic," said Chamber of Commerce Director Lynette Pettigrew.

Next, a group of Rand McNally judges visited, and were able to see the city sporting it's red, white and blue and more than 200 kids riding their festive bikes in a parade.

Another aspect that pushed the city to the top, they are the only Medal of Honor host city. Each year hundreds of veterans are honored.

"The city does so many amazing things for our veterans always," Hertel said.

Here in Gainesville, patriotism is taught at very young age.

"We're growing up a generation that has respect for country, and duty, and honor and patriotism. So, we're raising patriots right here in our community," Pettigrew said.

"I just, I'm very proud and honored that I got to be a part of something like this, and what our town does," said recent high school graduate, Abbey Wells.

Gainesville will be featured in a special 'Best of the Road' episode on the Travel Channel. It aires July 25th.
There aren't any celebration plans just yet, but Pettigrew assured they are going to plan something special.