By Ann Marie Shambaugh
Vicki Ballentine wasn’t sold on the idea when her history buff husband, Scott, suggested they attend a reenactment of the entire Louis and Clark Expedition.
But she went along and quickly became hooked.
Now, Ballentine is bringing history to life locally as a co-chair of the Indiana/Boone County Bicentennial Historic Ball, an evening of music, dancing and more to celebrate the 200th birthday of the State of Indiana.
The Aug. 6 event will showcase Hoosier culture from 1816 and beyond through modern times. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in period outfits if they have them – Vicki will be wearing an 1809-style day dress and her husband will don his 1803-style military uniform – but it’s not a requirement.
“It’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Ballentine said. “You don’t have to worry about what you’re wearing. We just want you to come and look nice.”
Hoosier history
The ball will pay homage to Indiana with treats and activities honoring traditions of the Hoosier state. My Sugar Pie will provide sugar cream pie, Indiana’s state pie, Inga’s popcorn will provide its bicentennial blend, and Indiana-shaped cookies will also be available.
Attendees can view a display of period dresses from the last 200 years, and guests can stop by a photo booth for a free picture to commemorate the occasion.
Hunters Moon, a band from Lafayette that plays 1816-era music, will perform English country songs, and guests will be encouraged to dance.
“You don’t have to feel obligated to do anything in particular. Just come and enjoy the evening,” Ballentine said. “If you’re not a dancer, that’s OK, too, you can go up and enjoy refreshments, visit with your friends, look down at the dancers and just enjoy the evening.”
Several local officials are expected to be in attendance, and presentations will take place.
“During the break in the dancing we’re going to have the honor guard for the fire department present the flag,” ball co-chair Kathy Flanary said. “We’re trying to make things nice and historical.”
The event is open to the public. Tickets cost $15 and are available at the door. Proceeds will benefit the Boone County Historical Society.
Across the state
Cities and counties across the state are hosting a variety of celebrations throughout the year to celebrate Indiana’s bicentennial, but few are organizing a ball.
Flanary said she attended a ball commemorating the U.S. bicentennial in 1976 and thought a similar event would be fitting for the state’s celebration.
“I remember attending the ball and how wonderful it was at our (Boone County) courthouse,” Flanary said. “It was a huge deal.”
The courthouse itself is full of history. Built in 1911 at a cost of $265,000, it is made of limestone from Bedford in Lawrence County and is believed to contain the largest monolithic limestone columns in the world at its north and south entrances. Its dome is the second-largest stained-glass dome in the state, and eight Hahl pneumatically calibrated clocks operate inside.
“The courthouse itself is worth the trip just to see it,” Ballentine said.
In Zionsville, the biggest bicentennial celebration is planned for noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 13 at Lincoln Park to coincide with the torch relay heading into town. The relay begins Sept. 9 in Harrison County and will travel approximately 3,200 miles through all 92 counties in five weeks.
The Zionsville party is still being planned, but organizer Rhonda Crawshaw said it will likely include desserts, an Abraham Lincoln impersonator, music and speakers.
“The torch is supposed to come by, but the timing is really difficult to predict,” Crawshaw said. “It’s coming from another county first, but we expect the torch to come through Lincoln Park (between 1:30 and 1:45 p.m.).”
Boone County will also celebrate the torch relay with a block party Oct. 13 at the county fairgrounds. The event will include genealogical information, a reading of work by Indiana authors and a food drive for the Caring Center.
Bicentennial events
What: Bicentennial Historic Ball
When: 7 to 10 p.m.
Where: Boone County Courthouse in Lebanon
Cost: $15
More: Contact Vicki Ballentine at 317-445-4010 or [email protected]
What: Bicentennial Torch Welcome Party
When: Noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 13
Where: Lincoln Park, northwest corner of Oak and 1st streets
Cost: Free
See the torch
The torch will enter Boone County on Oct. 13 from Montgomery County and travel from Lebanon to Whitestown and Zionsville. In Zionsville, the torch will head east on Whitestown Parkway/Oak Street, turn south on Main Street, east on Sycamore Street to a handoff at Zionsville Presbyterian Church to Hamilton County.
- John Baker
- Cliff Beesley
- Nancy Beesley
- Robert Boyer
- Nancy Busenbark
- Max Cowan*
- Brandon Daugherty
- John Davis
- David Effler*
- Kerri Faulkner
- Kurt Gilliam
- Perry Hammock
- Thomas Herlt
- Robert Hutchison*
- Audrey Mast
- John Merson
- Diana Northcott
- Glenn Northcott
- Stephen Shambaugh
- Ralph Stark*
- Reece Thompson
- Jennifer Trapuzzano
- Kathy Wood
*Denotes posthumous selection. County will provide participant to represent selected torchbearer.
