Hendricks County Bicentennial Shaping up to be Full of Fun and Festivities
Writer / Josh Duke
Photography Provided
Hendricks County residents have something extra special to celebrate in 2024. We’ll wish a happy 200th birthday to the county, and many are already thinking about events and projects to commemorate the bicentennial.
The bicentennial steering committee hopes civic groups, municipalities, businesses and all members of the community will be inspired to create bicentennial projects that leave a legacy for future generations, as well as events both current and new that include some kind of bicentennial or historical element.
The committee is working on a 50 Tree Trails project, planting native Indiana trees in a local park for the entire county to enjoy. Other examples came during the state’s bicentennial celebration in 2016 when Town of Plainfield leaders created Bicentennial Plaza near the Oasis Diner, and the Danville Rotary Club created Jack Willard Community Park.
Six countywide events have been officially endorsed by the Hendricks County bicentennial steering committee, with (hopefully) many more to come.
The committee hopes you will not only get in the spirit by coming up with a bicentennial project or event, but will also let them know about it when you do, so they can officially endorse it.
The first official bicentennial event of the year was the Bicentennial Birthday Bash at the Washington Township Pavilion Center, celebrating New Year’s Eve with music, snacks and fireworks for the entire family.
Other endorsed events this year include:
- Dancing with the Hendricks County Stars, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on May 4
- Children’s Day at the Hendricks County Historical Museum, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 1
- Hendricks County Rib-Fest & BBQ, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on June 29
- Hendricks County 4-H Fair, from 8 a.m. on July 14 to 10 p.m. on July 20
- Celebrating Avon Festival, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on September 28, with the Avon-Washington Township Public Library.
The community can begin planning their event or project now. The committee is looking for ideas that are open and accessible to the public, create a legacy for the future, engage and inspire youth, are educational and tied to the celebration of the bicentennial.
Submit your project or event on the bicentennial website at Hendricks200.com to receive endorsement. Upon approval, applicants will have the use of all bicentennial logos, a listing on the bicentennial website, and additional support via a press release sent to local media.
The bicentennial steering committee exists to support and encourage the Hendricks County community in their efforts to celebrate our community’s past, present and future. For more information, visit Hendricks200.com or email Hendricks200th@gmail.com.
