By Mark Ambrogi
Five celebration stations will highlight the Bicentennial Torch Relay Oct. 13 as it winds through Hamilton County.
The first stop will be at Carmel on the lawn of the Palladium, 1 Center Green, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., with the torch present from 4:05 to 4:15 p.m.
The celebration station will include music by the Indiana Wind Symphony, interactive booths by various community organizations, including the Carmel Clay Historical Society and ticket giveaways by resident companies of the Center for the Performing Arts. There will be food and drinks from Matt the Miller’s.
The next celebration station will be at Union Bible College, 424 S. Union St., from 4:45 to 5:10 p.m., with torch present from 5 to 5:10 p.m.
“They are encouraging people to wear green and show their Shamrock pride,” said Hamilton County Tourism communications coordinator Kate Burkhardt, referring to the nickname of Westfield High School. “The Westfield Welcome Wagon will be there and there will be children’s activities.”
From Westfield, the torch travels to Conner Prairie, 13500 Allisonville Rd., for a 6 to 6:25 p.m. torch visit. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the opening night for the 33rd annual Headless Horseman.
“The torch will go up in the (hot air) balloon at Conner Prairie,” Burkhardt said.
The torch relay heads to Fishers City Hall, 1 Municipal Dr., with the station running from 6:15 to 6:50 p.m., with the torch there for the final 10 minutes.
The first 50 people to arrive will receive complimentary food and drinks. The Mudsock Jazz Combo will be playing the music of Cole Porter and Herbie Hancock, two musicians with Indiana ties.
The Hamilton County torch run will end at Noblesville’s Historic Town Square, 16 S. 10th St., from 6:45 to 8 p.m. with the torch arriving at 7:20 p.m.
“That’s the last bash, and in my mind it’s kind of an after-party,” Burkhardt said.
The Hunter Smith Band will perform. There will be photo stations and interactive historical elements. Downtown restaurants will have themed dinners.
For those who want to host their own party along the route, Burkhardt said Hamilton County Celebration kits are available for $35 at visithamiltoncounty.com.
Hamilton County torchbearers are: Arnett (Arnie) Cooper, Arcadia; J. Stanton Renner, Arcadia; Allen Patterson, Carmel; James Bauerle, Carmel; Albert Chen, Carmel; Jennifer Shuck, Carmel; John Beede, Carmel; Angela Berry White, Carmel; Dana Renay, Carmel; Swati Singh, Carmel; Toby Stark, Carmel; Barb Brockhoff, Cicero; Shelby Bowen, Fishers; Joseph Kalil, Fishers; Kia Apple, Fishers; Grace Wechsler, Fishers; Sarah Demmon, Fishers; Troy Fettinger, Fishers; Ellen Huckabee, Fishers; Dr. Marisa Walker, Fishers; Santiago Jaramillo, Fishers; David Heighway, Noblesville; James Neal, Noblesville; Nancy Mason Chance, Noblesville; Kyle Condra, Noblesville; Michelle Corrao, Noblesville; Garrick Mallery, Noblesville; Cynthia Baker, Noblesville; Ruth Hall Lusher, Noblesville; Bill Kenley, Noblesville; Larry “Bud” Wright, Sheridan; Sabrina Richard, Westfield; Bob Beauchamp, Westfield; Mic Mead, Westfield; Steve Perkins, Westfield, Glenn Toren, Carmel and Terry Anker, Carmel.
