Blue Zones founder, long-time project lead to serve as co-grand marshals for Albert Lea parade

City News June 12, 2026

Dan Buettner, founder of Blue Zones, and Ellen Kehr, long-time project lead for Blue Zones Albert Lea, will serve as co- grand marshals for the July 3 parade in Albert Lea, announces the local Chamber of Commerce.

With Albert Lea celebrating 10 years as the first certified Blue Zones community in the United States, the Chamber chose “Red, White and Blue Zones” as this year’s parade theme.

Buettner, a native of St. Paul, is a National Geographic Fellow, bestselling author, and internationally recognized expert on longevity and well-being. He is best known for identifying the world’s “Blue Zones”—regions where people live longer, healthier lives—and for translating the lessons of those communities into practical strategies for longevity.

Through his research, books, public speaking, and Netflix special, Buettner has worked with communities, organizations, and policymakers to create environments that make healthy choices easier for more vibrant living.

“It was only fitting that Dan Buettner, who brought the pilot project to Albert Lea in 2009, and Ellen Kehr, who carried on the healthy living initiatives, serve as our grand marshals,” said Valerie Lockhart, executive director of the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce.

After the successful pilot project in 2009, Albert Lea became the first certified community in 2016.

“Albert Lea has shown the world that healthier communities don’t happen by chance, they happen by design. By investing in policies, places, and programs that make healthy choices easier, Albert Lea has become a model for what’s possible,” Buettner said.

“One of the great highlights of my career has been partnering with local leaders and residents to bring blue zones principles to life here. Together, we’ve helped create a community where the healthy choice is the easy choice, and the results speak for themselves. I can’t wait to be back in Albert Lea on July 3rd to celebrate this incredible community with all of you.”

Over 10 months in 2009, a total of 4,000 Albert Leans took part in at least one Blue Zones activity. The project was a stunning success with participants taking surveys before and after the experiment that showed:

Participants added an average of 3.1 years to life expectancy
Participants lost an average of 2.8 pounds
Tobacco-free worksites increased from 4% to 24%
Businesses reported a 20% drop in absenteeism
95% of participants reported making a new friend

Since then, Albert Lea has:

Added nearly 14 miles of sidewalks and trails to encourage people to move naturally
More than doubled the number of community garden plots so residents can grow their own produce
Approved more than 20 worksites for healthy practices
Redesigned it historic downtown that now hosts more than 50 events a year, attracting more than 100,000 visitors total annually

The July 3 parade starts at 6 p.m. from the Freeborn County Fairgrounds and follows Bridge Avenue to Fountain Street to West Avenue and ends at Central Park.

For more information about Blue Zones, visit www.bluezones.com/.

For immediate release
June 12, 2026
Media contact: To arrange a phone interview with Dan Buettner, contact his office by emailing Sam Skemp at Sam@danbuettner.com