Commission approves more local bicentennial projects

Local News

Bartholomew County has received approval for four more bicentennial projects in the community, bringing the total of locally approved projects up to 13, says Lynn Lucas, the local bicentennial coordinator.

Lucas says that the four most recent projects to win approval from the state commission include: Hope Heritage Days and its Pioneer Village, the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair’s Heritage Building and two projects sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Those are a performance by local elementary school students of “Back Home Again in Indiana” at the end of the bicentennial torch relay’s pass through Columbus and Bartholomew County in September and a Bartholomew County bicentennial lapel pin.

Other approved bicentennial projects in Bartholomew County include:

  • Race2Play by the Columbus Park Foundation and Columbus Parks & Recreation
  • Spring on the Farm – 200 Years of Indiana History by Bartholomew County Historical Society
  • Revitalization of the Historical Hope Town Square by the town of Hope
  • Mill Race Marathon and Health & Fitness Expo by Cummins, Inc., Main Source Bank, Columbus Regional Health, Southern Indiana Health
  • Saturday Sampler Programs by the Bartholomew County Historical Society
  • Vintage Spirits – History and Hooch of Bartholomew County by the Bartholomew County Historical Society
  • The Empire Strikes Back – A Bicentennial Celebration of Indiana fashion by the Bartholomew County Historical Society
  • Bicentennial Hat Making by the Bartholomew County Historical Society
  • Ethnic Expo by the city of Columbus

The Fountain Trust Pipe Band was also approved for a bicentennial project that includes performances in Fountain, Marion and Bartholomew County.

Lucas also says that there are several more projects in the pipeline for approval by the state committee. So far, the committee has been overwhelmed by the number of Hoosier projects that show bicentennial pride. If you have an idea for a bicentennial project you can contact Lucas through the Columbus Area Visitors Center at 812.378.2622 or by e-mail at [email protected]

Lucas also says that organizers are nearing a decision on who will be the bicentennial torch bearers when the torch relay comes through the community on Sept. 18th.