Hartsville to be first in Bartholomew to celebrate torch relay

When the Indiana Bicentennial Torch hits Bartholomew County on Sunday, its first stop will be in Hartsville.

The community in northeastern Bartholomew County is planning a two-day festival to celebrate the bicentennial, starting Saturday. Barb Johnson, an organizer of the event, says that festivities will begin at 11 a.m. each day.

There will be a fish fry by the Hartsville Volunteer Fire Department all weekend. There will also be historical information available at booths on the town square including details about Hartsville College, Rugby and Anderson Falls.

There will also be Civil War and World War II re-enactors and Sunday will be a performance about a Civil War surgeon, that will involve children helping with the “surgeries.”

Johnson said there will be old-fashioned games and activities for children. That includes a mini torch relay for children on Sunday.

The event will pick up on Sunday in anticipation of the arrival of the torch including horse-drawn carriage rides featuring Hartsville history and a performance by a brass quintet before the introduction of the torch-bearers.

The torch is expected to arrive in Bartholomew County at about 5 p.m. Sunday.

Simmons Winery and 450 North Brewing Company are planning activities from 2 to 5:30 p.m. including drinks, pizza and live music from the Banister Family under the shelter house.

Activities in Columbus will start at about 2 p.m. on the Bartholomew County Public Library Plaza on Fifth Street with the torch arriving downtown at about 7 p.m..

Hartsville Bicentennial Torch events

Saturday Sept. 17th

  • 11 a.m. — Fish fry begins and history booths open
  • 11:30 a.m. — Crafts and games begin
  • Noon — Storytelling and re-enactors
  • 1 p.m. — Music in shelterhouse
  • 3 p.m. Play parties for kids
  • 4 p.m. — Music in shelterhouse

Sunday Sept. 18th

  • 11 a.m. — Fish fry begins and history booths open
  • 11:30 a.m. — Possum Glory band
  • Noon — Crafts, toys and games. Balloon man, Make a Torch and Mini Relay for kids, record stories, re-enactors
  • 12:45 and 1 p.m. — Civil War Medical Program. Children from audience will be asked to assist surgeon.
  • 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. — Hartsville Tours. Horse drawn carriages, visit characters.
  • 2 p.m. — First Baptist presentation
  • 4 p.m. — Introduce torch bearers
  • 4:45 p.m. — Brass quintent
  • 5 p.m. — Bicentennial torch arrives