Bicentennial Torch Relay reaches final leg

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — In the final leg of the Bicentennial Torch Relay, the torch made its way through Hamilton County with stops in Carmel, Westfield, Fishers, Conner Prairie and Noblesville.

“Years ago, no European Americans had yet gotten here, it was filled however with Native Americans, thousands in this area,” Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard said when talking about the city’s history.

The day was filled with Hoosier history and Hoosier pride.

“Well I’m the 2014 Indiana Teacher of the Year, and one of the members of the Indiana Department of Education asked if any of the teacher of the year would like to be Torch Bearers and we said yes, and I applied and I was one of the ones who got selected,” Steve Perkins said.

Others had a touch of humility.

“What is it 200 years? Well I’m not quite that that old yet,” one woman joked.

Each stop with a story of it’s own.

“Conner Prairie has a celebration station here this evening because William Connor played a very instrumental role in Indiana moving from a territory to a state and our William Connor home was re-done this year to really tell that story for people to better understand what Indiana looked like before and how it was different,” Conner Prairie COO Cathy Ferree said.

And everyone, regardless of age, was eager to take part in the celebration.

“Because Indiana doesn’t turn 200 every year so that’s pretty special,” one Westfield Middle School student said.

The torch run through Hamilton County ended with a celebration on Noblesville’s Historic Square.