“Beachy” the bison’s ensemble includes goggles, a lifesaver, swim trunks and flippers. (Photo provided)

INDIANAPOLIS — “Beachy,” Winona Lake’s Indiana Bicentennial bison, has gone to the fair to compete for funds.

Towns and cities throughout Indiana have been decorating special-edition bison sculptures to display during the state’s bicentennial celebration. Many of them, including Winona Lake, have entered theirs in the Bison-tennial Art Exhibit at the Indiana State Fair.

Three area residents, Steve Perry, Joy Lohse and Rick Swaim, painted the bison to reflect Winona Lake. Dubbed “Beachy,” the sculpture sports swim trunks, goggles and flippers and stands on a pier. The trunks feature emblems representing Winona Lake.

First place will be $3,000, second is $2,000 and third is $1,000.

According to Swaim, “Beachy” was taken to Indianapolis over the weekend. It will remain there throughout the state fair, then return to Winona Lake to become a permanent fixture at the beach near Limitless Park. Between 15 and 20 other towns have also entered bison, though Swaim said he feels “Beachy” has a good chance of winning.

If “Beachy” wins, the town of Winona Lake will receive the prize funds. There are no definite plans yet as far as how the town plans to use the funds.

In honor of Indiana’s bicentennial this year, towns throughout the state were asked to purchase and decorate the bison in any way they wanted. Winona Lake’s bison was donated in honor of an area resident, Swaim said. Warsaw also purchased a bison.

“Getting to know Steve and joy was the most fun,” Swaim said, “but it’s great to have something that we can put at the beach here at Winona, to offer something interesting to the community.”