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Indiana Bicentennial Celebration 2016
Parke County
Q&A with County Coordinator Colleen Engle
What do you consider the key accomplishment(s) of your county's Bicentennial celebration?
- Unity of our community, Hoosier and Parke County pride, remembering our past, learning the history of our county.
What Legacy Project do you most like to tell people about, and why?
- I like to tell people about our mural projects. These projects were a county effort by development, fundraising, education, and appreciation for our community. They will forever be inspirational to everyone that looks at them. They show iconic figures from our past that came from such a small county.
Describe a highlight or most memorable moment related to your county's Bicentennial celebration.
- The Torch Relay, Block Party and mural unveiling were the biggest highlights to remember. The community unity and support was overwhelming. It was a much needed boost in teamwork our county needed!
How/where are you preserving information and artifacts related to your county's celebration?
- We are preserving most of our information on our Facebook page.
Do you have a website and/or social media presence?
Total number of volunteers who participated.
- 40
Estimated total attendance.
- 200
Estimated dollar amount raised.
- $17,000
Estimated dollar amount spent.
-
$16,000
Parke County Legacy Projects
- 2015 Bike the Bridges Bicentennial Celebration - Revisit Parke County's Legacy
- Art Affair on the Square
- Art in the Park
- Art in the Park
- Bike the Bridges Fall Challenge
- Bridgeton Country Christmas
- Bridgeton Milling Days
- Bridgeton Mountain Man Rendezvous
- Bridgeton Quilt, Woodworking and Tractor Show
- Covered Bridge and Wallace Model T Garage Tour
- Covered Bridge Antique Power Club Tractor Drive
- Eagles in Flight Weekend
- Healthy Rivers Initiative - Bicentennial Nature Trust
- Indiana State Parks Centennial Launch: Countdown to 100
- Mainstreets Across Indiana Puzzle and Poster Project
- Mansfield Mushroom Festival
- Miami Indians All Nations Gathering
- Parke County Covered Bridge Christmas
- Parke County Covered Bridge Festival
- Parke Countain's Favorite Fireworks
- Parke County Giant Map & Timeline
- Parke County Maple Fair
- Parke County Courthouse Murals: Canonizing Covered Bridge Luminaries
- Ray Bockhold Memorial Pranks in the Park
- Richard Lieber Memorial Rehabilitation
- Rockville Town Trail - Bicentennial Nature Trust
- Rosedale's Strawberry Festival
- Sandlady Gourdfest
- Sugar Creek Frontage - Bicentennial Nature Trust
- Turkey Run Earth Day Festival
- Turkey Run’s Pioneer Heritage Festival
- Zoomtown 5K Covered Bridge Run/Walk
Photos from Parke County Bicentennial Events / Activities
Parke County Bicentennial Committee
- Brad Buchanan
- Colleen Engle
- Diana Barlow
- Sande Bemis
- Miriam Blane
- Mary Jo Harney
- Mike Lunsford
- Kim Nicholas
- Jim Meece
- Judge Sam Swain
- Doug Weisheit
Parke County Facts
Parke County was formed on January 9, 1821 from a portion of Vigo County. The county was formed by an act approved by the state legislature.
It was named for Captain Benjamin Parke, who commanded a troop of light Dragoons at the Battle of Tippecanoe. Parke was elected as a delegate of Indiana Territory to the U.S. Congress. In 1821, he was appointed as U.S. District Judge for Indiana.
About the courthouse: Thomas and Brentwood Tolan were the architects and the building was completed in 1882.
Historic Parke County has 31 covered bridges and is the Covered Bridge Capital of the world.
County Seat: Rockville
Year Organized: 1821
Square Miles: 444.66
