`The Simpsons' proclaim Vermont's Springfield official hometown

This Vermont community on Tuesday was proclaimed the official hometown of the Simpsons.

Photo: `The Simpsons' proclaim Vermont's Springfield official hometown

Springfield beat out 13 other Springfields for the honor, which includes hosting the premiere of "The Simpsons Movie" on July 26.

20th Century Fox ran an online poll on the USA Today Web site inviting people to vote for their favorite of 14 videos submitted by the competing Springfields.

"We're so excited," said Patricia Chaffee, vice president of the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce. "We came in at the last minute, and for us to win, we feel like the underdogs, which makes this so big and so great for us."

The town of 9,300 was the smallest in population among the communities. It put together a video showing a local TV personality playing Homer Simpson and chasing a giant pink doughnut through the town.

Governor Jim Douglas issued a statement congratulating the town.

"This is an exciting, exhilarating moment for Vermonters," he said. "Perhaps more importantly, it proves there's really nothing a giant doughnut can't do."

According to USA Today, the 13 other Springfields will be given small screenings of their own the night before the movie opens nationwide July 27.