Haven't you noticed how it gets lighter earlier in the morning, and is still light around supper time each night?

Of course, that will change this weekend when we set our clocks ahead one hour. We'll again be plunged into darkness in the mornings, but our evenings will remain brighter for a bit longer.

This spring, as the drab landscape gives way to green grass and colorful flowers, and our gray skies become sunny and blue, another kind of color will be splashed across the lakes area.

Businesses and communities are seeing the benefit of participating in the Ox Trot, an Oxpedition of Art, where they'll get a painted ox to display as part of a huge tourism campaign sponsored by The Crossing Arts Alliance, in partnership with the Brainerd Lakes Chamber and Avalon Studios.

For sponsors hosting an ox statue, modeled after Paul Bunyan's Babe the Blue Ox, the benefit is expected to come with increased visitors and access to statewide marketing efforts.

Monday, the Pequot Lakes City Council agreed to sponsor an ox to display at Bobber Park, under the bobber water tower, next to Paul Bunyan's chair.

The only drawback to the Ox Trot is the cost. Each ox costs $2,800 to sponsor, plus another $1,500 to keep the ox. Some sponsors may choose to pay to have the ox painted as well.

Yes, $4,300 is a lot of money to spend on a tourist attraction. Tom Ryan cast the lone dissenting vote at the Pequot Lakes City Council meeting, saying the money could be better spent elsewhere.

At the request of the city's Park Board, the council agreed to pay half the cost ($2,150), with the other half coming from the Park Board budget.

Ryan was fine with the promotional aspect of the ox, but preferred the funding come from a source other than the Park Board budget.

Council member Jim Oraskovich agreed money was a concern, but said the Ox Trot was a good concept and the city should participate.

Pequot Lakes students would paint the ox, and it will be the ox that will be unveiled Friday, May 9, at a Governor's Fishing Opener event at Trailside Park, said Josh Porter of Avalon Studios, event coordinator.

I agree the ox are outragously expensive, and I agree with Tom that the money definitely could be spent elsewhere as well.

However, the Ox Trot is big enough that communities really have no choice but to participate. What community wants tourists to pass on by in their search for an ox?

Plus, the Crossing Arts Alliance will use funds raised through this project to expand, offer and implement art classes for K-12 students in lakes area schools.

It's a clever concept, and I'm intrigued at just where the ox will be and what they'll look like.

Committed sponsors so far include the city of Pequot Lakes, Hunt Utilities Group in Pine River, Hunt Utilities on behalf of the Pine River Chamber of Commerce, Crosslake Town Square and Irma Cragun.

Sponsors in the Brainerd area include The Crossing Arts Alliance, The Dive Shop, Crow Wing Power, Lewie's RV, Brainerd International Raceway, Insty Prints, Brainerd Jaycees, Brainerd Savings and Loan, and Highway 18 Collision.

Other sponsors include Lakewood Health System in Staples and The Shante in Pillager.

Porter said possible sponsors include Crosslake Community School, which is seeking help from area businesses and parents.

The school's art club would decorate that ox.

Nisswa School also seeks help from area businesses and is trying to get a grant to help sponsor an ox, Porter said.

Lonesome Cottage in Pequot Lakes is looking to cooperatively sponsor an ox with other businesses, he said.

And the Brainerd Blue Thunder baseball team wants one at Mills Field in Brainerd and is looking for benefactors to help with sponsorship.

Porter sculpted the ox statues, which are fiberglass and approximately 5 feet tall, 7 feet long and 2.5 feet wide. They'll be mounted on a concrete base while on display.

Statues will be on display from the Governor's Fishing Opener through Labor Day, and beyond for those participants who buy their statues. Those not kept will be auctioned.

Anyone still interested in an ox should call Porter in the next week at (218) 851-7965.