New ad for Ames, Iowa would make Pawnee proud -- VIDEO

Is Leslie Knope behind this?

An advertisement for Ames, Iowa is going viral today, thanks to snooty east coast bloggers (well done, Gawker). The ad — full of the lovably cheesy production values one would expect from a local spot (courtesy of Iowa State) — is as earnestly goofy as you’d expect from the people behind the Greatest State Fair Ever (seriously).

But you know what? Ames is pretty great. Speaking as someone who lived about 45 minutes away from it for a few years, I can confirm that the water is pretty tasty, and the schools are top notch. Their crack about several seasons to enjoy, however, is…generous. It’s winter from September to May.

Watch the spot below, but don’t even think about making fun of Iowa. Not for one second: