2016 is a monumental year for Indiana; it is the year we celebrate the bicentennial of Indiana statehood. Two centuries of Hoosier history, innovation and progress will be on full display throughout the year. A signature event of the year-long bicentennial celebration is the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay.
The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay will touch each of Indiana’s 92 counties during the 2,300- mile journey across the state. This will be a unifying and inspirational event during Indiana’s year of celebration. The relay will connect people, communities and regions during the six-week trek in the fall of 2016. The torch relay is an once-in-a-lifetime event that celebrates Indiana.
The torch relay begins September 9 in Corydon, Indiana’s first capital, and will conclude with a ceremony at the statehouse in Indianapolis on October 15. The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay is modeled after the Olympic Torch Relay and will travel a route charted by representatives from numerous state agencies as well as volunteers at the county level. The route showcases locations of natural beauty, local interest and historic significance to the state.
More than 1,800 torchbearers will pass the torch, from hand to hand, county to county, generation to generation. The torch itself is an Indiana masterpiece. Designed by an interdisciplinary team of Purdue engineering students and faculty, the torch incorporates many state-of-the-art features. The exterior of the torch is modeled after the torch on Indiana’s state flag which represents liberty, enlightenment and Indiana’s far-reaching influence.
The interior of the torch will have a GPS sensor for real time, online tracking. It has advanced features that will ensure safe transport of the torch throughout the state. It will run off of Indiana-produced fuel and has a camera that will take pictures during the route that will be automatically uploaded for use on the web and social media. A kid’s torch will also be available for younger torchbearers.
The relay needs Hoosiers like you to nominate torchbearers. Torchbearer nominations should acknowledge Hoosiers who demonstrate exceptional public service, excellence in their profession, acts of heroism or volunteer service to their neighborhood, community, region, or state. Nominees must be a current or former resident of Indiana or be nominated in honor of a current or former resident. Hoosiers may be nominated posthumously and a substitute torchbearer can be submitted to carry the torch on behalf of the nominee. Nominations can be submitted at Indiana2016.org/torchrelay.
The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of history. The torch relay will celebrate Indiana achievements, influence and heritage while also symbolically “passing the torch” to future generations of Hoosiers. As the torch relay celebrates Indiana’s first 200 years, the light of Indiana will shine brightly for centuries to come.
Indiana Office of Tourism Development
One North Capitol, Suite 600
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2288
VisitIN@VisitIndiana.com
800-677-9800
Leave A Comment