News Release

INDIANA — Blue Fox Farms LLC, of Wawaka, and Seymour-based Guardian Bikes had impressive showings in this year’s tournament but were eliminated in the semifinal round.

The Indiana Chamber’s third annual Coolest Thing Made in Indiana competition is down to the final two contestants: Hoosier Racing Tire, Plymouth; and Hard Truth Distilling Company, Nashville.

The contest started with 47 competitors and interest remained high with thousands of votes cast in the semifinal round as the field of four was trimmed in half.

Hard Truth Distilling Company and Hoosier Racing Tire are tournament veterans, with Hard Truth making it to the quarterfinals last year.

Hard Truth is in the competition with its Hard Truth Maple Bourbon Cream, and Hoosier Racing Tire rolls into the finals showcasing its world-renowned racing tires.

The championship round of voting tipped off this morning and will conclude Thursday, Nov. 30 at 9 p.m.

Semifinal round winners as well as the entire tournament draw can be seen and votes for the championship can be cast here.

As with the first five rounds, the final round winner will be chosen through public fan voting, with the product receiving the highest vote tally taking home the “Coolest” title. A voter may vote once in the championship round.

With the beginning of each new round – including the championship matchup, the votes from the previous round are cleared, and each remaining competitor starts the new round with no votes.

The winner of the contest will be announced Wednesday, Dec. 13 at the Indiana Chamber’s 2023 Best IN Manufacturing Awards Luncheon.

Companies entered in this one-of-a-kind contest faced off in a single-elimination bracket format with winners chosen through public fan voting.

Each winner goes to the next round until the Coolest Thing Made in Indiana champion is crowned. For fairness, the initial matchups were generated via an online randomizer, notes the Indiana Chamber.

To participate, a company did not need to be headquartered in Indiana, but the product entered must be manufactured in the state. Companies are limited to having one product nominated for entry.