Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay Torchbearer Nominations Due Dec 31st.

By: Nancy Carlson—(Note: Nominations end December 31, 2015. Don’t put it off!)

The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay is now accepting torchbearer nominations from the public. Torchbearer nominations recognize Hoosiers who demonstrate exceptional public service, excellence in their profession, acts of heroism or volunteer service to their neighborhood, community, region or state.

“Being selected as an Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay torchbearer is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Hoosiers,” Delaware County Torch Relay Coordinator, Nancy Carlson, said. “We look forward to honoring Indiana’s history while also optimistically looking forward to the future during this momentous event for Indiana.”

The online nomination form is available here: http://www.indiana2016.org/torchrelay/nomination-forms/.

Paper applications can be picked up and submitted at three locations in Delaware County:

Muncie Visitors Bureau – 3700 S. Madison, Muncie
Downtown Business Connector – 420 S. High, Muncie
Co. Commissioners Office – 3^rd Fl., County Building, 100 W. Main, #309, Muncie

The nomination period ends on December 31, 2015. Once all nomination forms are collected, a juried nomination process will be employed to select torchbearers. Nomination committees have been formed in each county to manage this process on a county-by-county basis.

“Hoosiers from all walks of life will be torchbearers during the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay,” said Noelle Szydlyk, state director of the relay. “This will be a unifying and inspirational event during our bicentennial year.”

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 will pass through Delaware County on Tuesday, September 27, 2016, and will pass the fairgrounds, Minnetrista, Ball State campus, the University Village, the Fieldhouse, downtown, and Canan Commons.

Nominees must be a current or former resident of Indiana or be nominated in honor of a current or former resident. Hoosiers may be nominated posthumously and a substitute torchbearer can be submitted to carry the torch on behalf of the nominee. Nominees can be any age (torchbearers that are minors will be subject to additional youth torchbearer requirements). A nominee must possess the physical adaptive ability to carry the torch a minimum of a quarter mile. Accommodations will be made for those torchbearers with disabilities. The complete list of torchbearer criteria may be found on the online nomination page.

The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay will start September 9, 2016 in Corydon, Indiana’s first state capital, and culminate with a celebration October 15, 2016 on the grounds of the statehouse in Indianapolis. The torch relay will touch each of Indiana’s 92 counties during the 2,300 mile journey across the state.

Volunteer county coordinators are organizing torch relay activities in their respective counties. Additional volunteers will be needed to assist with the preparation and execution of relay-related activities. Hoosiers interested in volunteering can sign up at the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay website.

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