The Bicentennial Planning Committee of Jackson County is gearing up for its three-day celebration in October at Freeman Field in Seymour.
The event is Oct. 7, 8 and 9.
Groups and vendors already are reserving their space to sell crafts, host their events and get the word out about community activities. Groups wanting to host fundraising events at the celebration should reach out to the bicentennial committee.
“We encourage any group wanting to host an event to come and participate. We want to support our local groups and nonprofits. Each group will keep their funds generated minus a 10 percent donation that goes back to the Bicentennial Scholarship Fund,” said Chris Sommers, bicentennial group secretary.
Sommers said several groups are planning events during the celebration.
One group is planning a kickball tournament, another group is doing a baseball tournament and one group is considering a corn maze, Sommers said.
Oct. 7 will include concerts and craft vendors. Oct. 8 will be events, games, vendors, concerts and fireworks. Oct. 9 is still being worked out, but the group is planning to have a countywide choir perform and have a combined church service, followed by a closing ceremony, Sommers said.
One of the highlights of the October celebration will the bicentennial bowie knife. This knife and sheath were custom designed by Todd Hunt of T.M. Hunt Custom Knives of Seymour.
Hunt said it took more than 100 man hours to complete the knife and sheath and is a “one-of-a-kind” knife. This is the only one made and will remain the only one of its kind.
Hunt also makes cleavers and hatchets and has made custom pieces for more than 16 years.
The bicentennial group is hosting a raffle for the bowie knife from now until the October celebration. It is asking for a $1 donation per ticket or a $5 donation for six tickets.
On Oct. 9, the bicentennial group will pull the winning ticket and announce the lucky winner of the historic knife. The winner will not be required to be present at the drawing of the ticket to claim the knife.
Proceeds from this event will be donated to the Bicentennial Scholarship Fund. This fund is in place to help support as many Jackson County college-bound students as possible.
To reserve booth space or have your group participate in the October bicentennial celebration, contact Sommers at 812-569-4421.
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What: Bicentennial celebration
When: Oct. 7, 8 and 9
Where: Freeman Field in Seymour
How to get involved: To reserve booth space or have your group participate in the celebration, contact Chris Sommers at 812-569-4421
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