Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, September 13, 2016
(BEDFORD) - The Indiana Bicentennial Torch will enter Orange and Lawrence counties on Wednesday.
The relay is designed to inspire and unify Hoosiers as one of the major commemorative events of the 2016 Bicentennial celebration.
The torch will be primarily transported by people, passing the flame from torch bearer to torch bearer. The relay will also employ other modes of conveyance that are symbolic of the history and heritage of Indiana, including watercraft, farm equipment, a racecar, horse and wagon, antique automobile, and others.
Patterned after the Olympic Torch Relay, Indiana's version will pass through all 92 of the state's counties, cover 3200 miles over a five week period, averaging 97 miles per day before ending at the State Fairgrounds on October 15.
The torch is expected to reach downtown Orleans shortly after 3 p.m. It will travel north down Maple Street through the historic downtown area. Residents are encouraged to gather downtown and along Main Street to witness the historical event.
The torch is expected to arrive at the Orange/Lawrence County line between 3:30 and 4 p.m. It will caravan from Ind. 37 to Ind. 60 East to Spring Mill State Park, from there it will travel to Sixth Street in Mitchell.
Admission to Spring Mill State Park will be free Sept. 14 when the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay passes through the state park.
The Department of Natural Resources says the public is encouraged to join in the celebration as the torch passes through.
The torch relay will enter Spring Mill just after 4 p.m. and will go past the Grissom Memorial and Spring Mill Inn.
It then will enter the City of Mitchell.
A "Welcome Tent" will be set up at Mitchell City Hall for the arrival of the torch at 4:15 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend the event.
A big celebration is planned at Harp Commons on J Street from 4-8 p.m. when the torch enters Bedford.
The event will include the lighting of the cauldron by former lieutenant governor and Bedford native Becky Skillman, who will be the final torchbearer of the day.
Events includes four hours of live entertainment, a balloon release, a petting zoo and wagon rides around the square provided by Cheryl Shireman of Columbus, bicentennial-themed refreshments, a torch photo booth, a kid zone, our county's painted bison and for those who can't get enough of Indiana history and trivia, the Indiana "Bicentennial Experience" Mobile Museum will be here.
The Bicentennial Experience is billed as a high-tech mobile museum that tells the story of Indiana's natural wonders and legendary figures. Lawrence County is among select counties the museum will be visiting during the Torch Relay.
Lawrence County is the final stop of the day on Wednesday. The caravan that accompanies the torch will take it to Jackson County, where it will take off from there on Thursday.
Carrying the torch in Lawrence County are:
* Denotes posthumous selection. County will provide participant to represent selected torchbearer
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