KOSCIUSKO — Following the recent announcement that Warsaw-native Ben Higgins would become the 2016 “bachelor,” area residents have not only followed Higgins’s on-air pursuit of love, but have had the opportunity to experience it firsthand.

Higgins and members of the cast and crew of ABC’s “The Bachelor” visited Warsaw at the end of October to film footage for the popular show. Scenes included a stop at the Baker Youth Club, where Ben formerly volunteered; a staged carnival event; a visit to Winona Lake; and a stop at Higgins’s “favorite Warsaw bar” Rex’s Rendezvous.

The filming events brought numerous guests to the Warsaw-area hoping to catch a view of the newfound star and maybe even the chance to land in the outskirts of the limelight themselves. What started with much excitement for many however ended with mixed feelings of both gratitude and relief when crews left the area.

Though the Warsaw area has quieted down considerably since the film crew’s visit, for the cast and crew of “The Bachelor,” the buzz surrounding the show is still growing. This includes a recent announcement of which women will be courting Higgins on the upcoming season premiere, slated for 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4.

Whether you have had your fill of Higgins’s search for love or are planning to tune in to root him on, here is the latest information on the upcoming season:

The following was posted on ABC’s website this week: 

“The Bachelor Season 20 premiere date is quickly approaching, but the wait it over to find out just who the 28 lucky ladies are who will be competing for Ben Higgins’ heart. The Bachelor Season 20 contestants are quite the well rounded group professionally featuring everything from a war veteran to a chicken enthusiast. Exciting professions aren’t the only thing this year’s contestants are bringing to the table, several women make a killer first impression on the sexy software salesman during night one in the mansion.

Here’s a full list of the upcoming season’s contestants:

• Amanda, 25, esthetician, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.
• Amber, 30, bartender, Chicago, Ill.
• Becca, 26, chiropractic assistant, San Diego, Calif.
• Breanne, 30, nutritional therapist, Seattle, Wash.
• Caila, 23, software sales representative, Hudson, Ohio
• Emily, 22, twin, Las Vegas, Nev.
• Haley, 22, twin, Las Vegas
• Isabel “Izzy,” 24, graphic designer , Branford, Conn.
• Jackie, 23, gerontologist, San Francisco, Calif.
• Jami, 23, bartender, St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
• Jennifer, 25, small business owner, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
• Jessica, 23, accountant, Boca Raton, Fla.
• Joelle “Jo Jo,” 24, real estate developer, Dallas, Texas
• Jubilee, 24, war veteran, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
• Lace, 25, real estate agent, Denver, Colo.
• Laura, 24, account executive, Louisville, Ky.
• Lauren “LB,” 23, fashion buyer, Stillwater, Okla.
• Lauren B., 25, flight attendant, Marina Del Rey, Calif.
• Lauren H., 25, kindergarten teacher, Ann Arbor, Mich.
• Lauren R., 26, math teacher, Houston, Texas
• Leah, 25, event planner, Denver, Colo.
• Maegan, 30, cowgirl, Weatherford, Texas
• Mandi, 28, dentist, Portland, Ore.
• Olivia, 23, news anchor, Austin, Texas
• Rachel, 23, unemployed, Little Rock, Ark.
• Samantha, 26, attorney, New Smyrna Beach, Fla.
• Shushanna, 27, mathematician, Salt Lake City, Utah
• Tiara, 26, chicken enthusiast, Redmond, Wash.