KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Dates, tentative ideas and planning, by a group of three individuals, has been underway to plan the county’s celebration for the state’s 200th birthday next year.

Diana Wulliman, Paula Bowman, and Deb Wright have been meeting regularly to try and put things together. Wulliman is the chairwoman for Kosciusko County Celebrates Indiana’s Bicentenial.

The official kick-off to the year of the bicentennial is set for noon, Dec. 11, which is designated as Statehood Day. Locally the bicentennial flag will be raised on the southeast corner of the courthouse lawn.

First Fridays, starting in February, will carry a theme of Decades of Change. Each month a decade will be featured. Several events have already been planned: Fire & Ice in February, Thaddeus Kosciuszko in March, love fest in July, BYC Car show in August. Additionally the The Walk ‘N Wander will return and statutes will be selected to carry the decade theme.

An 8-foot tall lighted torch has been designed and created by Hermons Christmas Wonderland, Pierceton. Towns and individuals are encouraged to purchase the torch for display. The torch will be available to order in the near future. A portion of the proceeds will go back to the planning committee to help with expenditures.

The county celebration will unofficially begin Sept. 29, when the Bicentennial Torch Relay arrives. At this time, the torch is scheduled to arrive in Kosciusko County at 10 a.m. in Silver Lake, head north on SR 15 into Warsaw, then continue north to Armstrong Road to SR 13, up to Syracuse and then into Noble County.

Thus far a small celebration is planned in Silver Lake, with a larger event planned at Central Park in Warsaw at Central Park, followed by a stop and program at Lakeside Park, Syracuse. Educational events at each stop to allow participation by fourth-grade elementary students are in the works. A state history lab, provided by the state Bicentennial Committee, will be set up at Central Park.

The torch relay event is only expected to be in the county for two hours.

Each county is asked to provide at least 22 individuals as official torch bearers. These individuals are chosen through nominations, and thus far Kosciusko County only has 10 nominees. It is hoped to have a representative torch bearer from each community.

Wulliman stated the torch bearers will do little walking, and will be riding in a convertible vehicle. An idea of having torch bearers ride on a farm tractor, in a boat hauled on a trailer, or other conveyances representing the county was suggested. Volunteers will be needed to assist that day at each community a stop is made and along the route.

Nominations will be accepted through Jan. 31. A local committee will select the torch bearers and submit the list to the state to make the final approval in the spring of 2016. To view the requirements and submit a nomination, visit the state site.

Official Celebration

Kosciusko County Celebrates Indiana’s Bicentennial Festival will be Sept. 30-Oct. 1. Events on Friday, Sept. 30, are planned in downtown Warsaw and in Syracuse. Events on Saturday, Oct. 1, will take place at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds, ending by 5 p.m. with any additional activities possibly taking place at Central Park.

Events on Friday will incorporate a late First Friday event, while in Syracuse, the football game between Wawasee and Warsaw will include bicentennial activities for Wawasee’s Homecoming.

Saturday events, such as a parade in the morning, are being planned throughout the day on the fairgrounds.

A number of ideas are being tossed about: vintage baseball games in each community with a championship baseball game on Oct. 1, horseshoe pitching contest, culmination of a beard contest, concert, fireworks, flotilla, and others.

Members of the committee are available to speak to church groups, service clubs and other organizations about the celebration. Financial sponsorship and more volunteers are needed.

Individuals with event activities ideas, offer of financial support, or to volunteer in any area, can contact the committee at [email protected]