INDIANAPOLIS – Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb recently joined the Indiana Office of Tourism Development (IOTD) to unveil the statewide route the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay will travel this fall. The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay will start in Corydon on September 9 and travel over 3,200 miles as nearly 2,000 torchbearers will carry the torch through each of Indiana’s 92 counties. The route showcases locations of natural beauty, local interest and historic significance to the state.
A map and schedule of the statewide torch relay are now available as well as route maps for each of the 92 counties on the Bicentennial Torch Relay webpage.
“The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay is not only the premier event of our state’s Bicentennial Celebration, but it is also an opportunity for Hoosiers from counties large and small to showcase all that makes Indiana unique,” said Holcomb. “The torch route was designed to highlight the state’s cultural fabric, our history and values, and the spirit of Hoosier ingenuity, igniting generations to come.”
The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay route touches:
- 260 cities and towns.
- 17 state and national parks, including Indiana Dunes, Turkey Run, Falls of the Ohio and Abraham Lincoln’s Boyhood Home.
- Nine lakes and rivers, including the Ohio and Wabash Rivers.
- 27 national, state and local sites of historic significance including the Levi Coffin House, Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site and Lanier Mansion.
- 22 colleges and universities.
- Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum, Bridgeton Mill, Conner Prairie, Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science, French Lick Resort, Holiday World, Indiana High School Basketball Hall of Fame, Indiana State Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Lew Wallace Study and Museum, NSA Crane and many additional landmarks and destinations.
The torch relay route was charted by a taskforce of representatives from multiple state agencies and the private sector; including the departments of transportation, natural resources, state police, tourism, community and rural affairs and archives. Local organizing committees in each county finalized their county-specific routes. While the route is considered final, it is subject to alterations as conditions on the ground during the relay may warrant.
The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay will start September 9 in Corydon, Indiana’s first state capital, and culminate with a celebration October 15 on the grounds of the statehouse in Indianapolis. Accompanying the torch will be a high-tech mobile experience—an interactive museum that highlights important milestones during Indiana’s first 200 years and looks ahead to the future of the state. State Police personnel will provide logistical support and escort the torch caravan over the course of the relay.
“As we reflect on Indiana’s first 200 years, the torch relay is a terrific opportunity to showcase the beauty and allure of Indiana. From the Lake Michigan shoreline to the rolling hills along the Ohio River, Indiana is full of special people and places. The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay allows us to show off both our state and civic pride as we honor our past while symbolically ‘passing the torch’ to future generations of Hoosiers,” said Newman.
Developed by IOTD, the relay is patterned after the Olympic Torch Relay and is designed to connect Hoosiers across the state and nation with their home state during the bicentennial year. The torch itself was designed by engineering faculty and students at Purdue University. 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.
Torchbearers were nominated by the public and nominations are currently being vetted at the local level by county torch relay coordinating committees. Over 4,000 torchbearer nominations were received. Torchbearers will be Hoosiers who demonstrate exceptional public service, excellence in their profession, acts of heroism or volunteer service to their neighborhood, community, region or state.
To follow the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay on social media, visit INTorchRelay on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
