Bicentennial torchbearer naming delayed

The state will be taking longer than expected to release the names of the Indiana bicentennial torchbearers.

Lynn Lucas, who is coordinating the Bartholomew County bicentennial festivities, says that while the state had originally planned to release the names of the torchbearers by tomorrow, it now looks like June 29th will be the date. Lucas said each torchbearer candidate was mailed a letter from the governor, and was asked to confirm that they would participate.

In Bartholomew County, there will be 32 torchbearers who will carry the torch across the county, stopping for festivities at Hartsville, Simmons Winery and Columbus on Sunday, Sept. 18th.

Lucas says the torchbearers will carry the bicentennial torch on foot and by vehicle and the county is lining up unusual vehicles to carry the torch. Those include a vintage Coca-Cola truck and the Columbus Fire Department’s 1917 Stutz fire engine.