The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority and the Lake County bicentennial committee are accepting nominations for Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay torchbearers.
Lake County torchbearer nominations recognize local Hoosiers who demonstrate exceptional public service, excellence in their profession, acts of heroism or volunteer service to their neighborhood, community, region or state.
“Lake County is home to many individuals who consistently showcase dedication to their community, neighbors, family and friends,” said Larry Blanchard, Lake County bicentennial coordinator. “Being nominated to serve as a torchbearer is a great honor, and will recognize these individuals for their contributions”
The nomination period ends on Dec. 31, 2015. Once all nomination forms are collected, a juried nomination process will be employed to select torchbearers. The Lake County bicentennial committee will recommend 34 torchbearers. The torch relay commission will make final torchbearer selections in April 2016, and will announce those selected to bear the torch in June 2016.
The online nomination form is available at www.indiana2016.org/torchrelay/nomination-forms. Paper nomination forms can be picked up at the Indiana Welcome Center, 7770 Corinne Drive, Hammond, IN 46323, and can be returned to the Indiana Welcome Center or submitted via email to katie@southshorecva.com.
Nominees must be a current or former resident of Indiana or be nominated in honor of a current or former resident. Hoosiers may be nominated posthumously and a substitute torchbearer can be submitted to carry the torch on behalf of the nominee. Nominees must be at least 10 years of age (torchbearers that are minors will need to meet other youth torchbearer requirements). A nominee must possess the physical adaptive ability to carry the torch a minimum of a quarter mile. Accommodations will be made for those torchbearers with disabilities. The complete list of torchbearer criteria may be found on the online nomination page.
The torch relay will begin on Sept. 9, 2016 in Corydon and end with a celebration Oct. 15, 2016 on the grounds of the statehouse in Indianapolis. The torch will travel through Lake County on Oct. 9 and Oct. 11, 2016, as it makes the 2,300-mile journey through each of Indiana’s 92 counties.
For more information or questions on nominating Lake County torchbearers, contact Katie Holderby, executive vice president of the South Shore CVA and co-county coordinator, at 219-989-7770 or katie@southshorecva.com.
