By Heather Lusk
A major celebration is in the works, as Hoosier towns, counties and the state prepare for December 11, 2016, which marks 200 years of Indiana’s statehood.
In September the Whitestown Brew Fest returns for the second time with a focus on the statewide celebration. The festival was initially created to be a part of the bicentennial year.
“Last year’s brew fest was kind of our warm up,” said Whitestown Parks Director Nathan Messer, who is organizing the event that will take place at the Whitestown Municipal Complex.
“We want 200 beers to celebrate 200 years,” Messer said.
All Indiana breweries are allowed to create a Bicentenni-ale to celebrate 2016, so Messer expects there to be a lot of specialty brewing. With 1,200 people in attendance last year, Messer would like that number to increase in 2016.
“The goal is to continue this even through next year as a fundraiser for the local parks,” he said.
Sept. 9 marks the beginning of a torch relay through the state. Beginning in Corydon – the state’s first capital – and ending Oct. 15 at the Statehouse, a torch will be carried through each of the 92 counties. Nominations for torchbearers are being accepted at www.in.gov/ibc/torchrelay/2621.htm.
The SullivanMunce Cultural Center will recognize the 200th anniversary along with the 150th anniversary of Zionsville’s incorporation.
“It just works out that we will be celebrating both,” said Cynthia Young, executive director of the center. “Everything we’re doing, we’re stepping it up for 2016.”
The annual Ghost Walk will be entirely along Main Street and the summer Garden Tour will be a walking tour with all of the locations in the village.
The museum’s Zionsville history exhibit is being refurbished and will change with the seasons, featuring various town businesses throughout the years. Visitors will be able to hear oral histories recorded in the 1980s along with more recent recordings. The book, Zionsville, the First One Hundred Years, is out of print, so Young’s goal is to update the book to include 150 years.
More local events and plans are expected to be announced throughout 2016.
