Signs signal celebration of bicentennial, torch run

Newly-installed, permanent obelisks can now be seen welcoming visitors to Bainbridge in efforts to celebrate Indiana's upcoming bicentennial. The statues are also located along the route of the highly anticipated statewide Bicentennial Torch Relay that will take place from Sept. 9 though Oct. 15. (Banner Graphic/NICK WILSON)

BAINBRIDGE -- With bicentennial celebrations for the state of Indiana upcoming, one small town has been making some rather unique preparations.

For the better part of a year, the town of Bainbridge has had in the works not only an exclusive state flag, which it unveiled on the state's 199th birthday (Dec. 16, 2015), but four permanent monuments, as well.

From all four roadways entering the town can now been seen permanent obelisks in the shape of the state to commemorate and celebrate Indiana's 200-year-old heritage.

"I think it was a fabulous idea," Banibridge Clerk-Treasurer Monica Bray said. "(Councilman) Jerry Lents originally had the idea and even formed a committee to welcome other ideas from everyone in town."

The Bicentennial Legacy Project Committee to which she referred was formed in February of this year and saw several ideas from the town's citizens. However, the statues seen today ultimately gained the most favor from the committee and residents alike.

"It's such a great way to celebrate the state's birthday," Bainbridge Improvement Society Treasurer Sherry Burlingame said. "And with so much traffic coming through for the Covered Bridge festivals, a lot of people are going to get to see them."

The signs, located on the north, south, east and western entrances to the town, feature the shape of the state itself, the words "200 Years of Statehood," an Indiana flag and a star to represent the location of the town.

Furthermore, two of the signs are located on the route for the Bicentennial Torch Relay, a 3,200-mile journey through the state of Indiana that will ultimately pass through all 92 counties. The relay will begin in Corydon, the state's first capital, on Sept. 9 and end at the Indianapolis Statehouse grounds on Oct. 15.

According to www.in.gov, "Walkers, runners and torch bearers employing modes of transportation representative of Indiana's culture and heritage will move the torch along its route."

The torch is expected to pass through Bainbridge at approximately 7:45 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22. Early arrivals for the relay will receive free noisemakers to salute the torch bearers.

The torch will enter Bainbridge via East Oak Street (from the east on County Road 675 North) and proceed north up South Washington Street before turning back to the east on East Main Street (or U.S. 36).

For more information about the relay, visit http://www.in.gov/ibc/torchrelay.