Cheer on Indiana Bicentennial Torch at MU 

The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay is one of the major commemorative events of the 2016 Bicentennial celebration. Patterned after the Olympic Torch Relay, Indiana's version passes through all 92 of the state's counties, covering 2,300 miles over five weeks. 

The torch comes to Wabash County on Wednesday, Sept. 28, and it is scheduled to arrive at Manchester University shortly before 5:30 p.m. You won't be able to miss it – it will be accompanied by an honor guard of state police, a trolley full of local bicentennial volunteers and other support vehicles. 

The MU community is invited to cheer the torch and torchbearers as they pass by. Chartwells is offering popcorn and refreshments to those who turn out for the fun at MU.

Here is the schedule, although times are estimates because so many elements are involved:

• 4-5:40 p.m. – The North Manchester community is invited to join Pioneer Days fun at Warvel Park, cheer the torch as it passes by and then follow it to the Thomas Riley Marshall House for a brief celebration.
• 5 p.m. – Brady Burgess will receive the torch in Wabash and get on Trolley No. 85. The convoy will go east on U.S. 24 and north on State Road 13 to North Manchester and Manchester University.
• 5:25 p.m. – The trolley will stop on East Street just north of Orchard Street, and Burgess will go south on foot.
• 5:30 p.m. – MU President Dave McFadden will receive the torch in front of the Jo Young Switzer Center, where the popcorn and refreshments will be, and go south on East Street. He will turn west on College Avenue. Let's line the roadway and show our MU pride!
• 5:35 p.m. – Just east of Wayne Street, the president will pass the torch to Joel and Joshua Garber, who are representing their late father, Chris Garber. They will continue west with the torch to Walnut Street.
• 5:40 p.m. – Mike Pyle will receive the torch and go west on College, then turn south on Market Street to 9th St.
• 5:45 p.m. – At 9th Street, Sally Krouse will receive the torch and continue south on Market to the Thomas Riley Marshall House, next to the library, where it will be received by "Thomas Marshall" on behalf of North Manchester. A brief program will follow, with a glimpse of what North Manchester was like 200 years ago and music by the Peabody Entertainers.  After the crowd sings Happy Birthday to Indiana, they will be treated to 200 birthday cupcakes made by Chartwells.
• 6:05 p.m. – Jeff Hawkins will receive the torch and go south to just north of Main Street.
• 6:10 p.m. – Jabin Burnworth will receive the torch and continue south on Market, turning west on Main and continuing to the North Manchester Public Safety Building.
• 6:20 p.m. – Sam Frazier will receive the torch in front of the Public Safety Building and get on the trolley for the return trip to Wabash. It will make a brief stop in front of the Wabash County Historical Museum.
• 6:40 p.m. – Frazier continues east on Market Street on foot with the torch to Paradise Spring Historic Park, where the county torch relay will conclude and the Wabash County celebration will begin.
  

Sept. 23, 2016