Bicentennial Celebration
Join us on September 17th, 2022 to celebrate Rush County and Rushville's Bicentennial!
There will be festivities for all ages. Mark your calendars with the date!
There will be festivities for all ages. Mark your calendars with the date!
Willkie Days/Bicentennial Parade
The Rush County Bicentennial Parade will begin at 10 AM. Line-up begins at 8:30 AM by the high school gym. The parade will proceed down Main Street and end on Perkins Street near Pizza King. The entire Bicentennial Parade will be filmed and photographed. The video and images will be complied as a visual time capsule for future generations to see what Rush County’s Bicentennial celebration looked like. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the parade. Businesses and organizations are encouraged to create a float for the parade. Parade entry judging beings at 9:30 AM with cash prizes being awarded in the following categories for the best business and best non-profit/individual: History/Historical, Patriotic, and Creative.
The Rush County Bicentennial Parade will begin at 10 AM. Line-up begins at 8:30 AM by the high school gym. The parade will proceed down Main Street and end on Perkins Street near Pizza King. The entire Bicentennial Parade will be filmed and photographed. The video and images will be complied as a visual time capsule for future generations to see what Rush County’s Bicentennial celebration looked like. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the parade. Businesses and organizations are encouraged to create a float for the parade. Parade entry judging beings at 9:30 AM with cash prizes being awarded in the following categories for the best business and best non-profit/individual: History/Historical, Patriotic, and Creative.
RushFest
RushFest runs from 9 AM to 3 PM with assorted vendors along Main Street and on 3rd Street. Businesses will also be open for shopping. The Farmer’s Market will be open and there will be a Kidz Zone with activities including outside games, Touch-a-Truck, bounce house, obstacle course, face painting. Also planned for the day are a photo truck, dunk tank, food trucks, Kettle Korn, beer and wine tent, live music and entertainment, and more.
RushFest runs from 9 AM to 3 PM with assorted vendors along Main Street and on 3rd Street. Businesses will also be open for shopping. The Farmer’s Market will be open and there will be a Kidz Zone with activities including outside games, Touch-a-Truck, bounce house, obstacle course, face painting. Also planned for the day are a photo truck, dunk tank, food trucks, Kettle Korn, beer and wine tent, live music and entertainment, and more.
Covered Bridge Dinner
Events will kick off with the Moscow Covered Bridge Dinner. Tickets are available by calling Joe Rathz at 317-519-9043.
Events will kick off with the Moscow Covered Bridge Dinner. Tickets are available by calling Joe Rathz at 317-519-9043.
5 in 50 Bicycle Ride
The third annual Five in 50 Bike Ride starts in Rushville and includes 12-mile, 24-mile, and 50-mile routes. The 50-mile route will take bicycle riders through five historic covered bridges and five additional Rush County towns (Milroy, Moscow, Gowdy, Homer, and Arlington). The event is designed as a tourism opportunity to promote local businesses while encouraging active living and physical fitness in Rush County. Proceeds from the ride will be directed to the Rush County United Fund and for the preservation of the Rush County Covered Bridges and other historical sites. Register for the ride at www.willkiedays.com.
The third annual Five in 50 Bike Ride starts in Rushville and includes 12-mile, 24-mile, and 50-mile routes. The 50-mile route will take bicycle riders through five historic covered bridges and five additional Rush County towns (Milroy, Moscow, Gowdy, Homer, and Arlington). The event is designed as a tourism opportunity to promote local businesses while encouraging active living and physical fitness in Rush County. Proceeds from the ride will be directed to the Rush County United Fund and for the preservation of the Rush County Covered Bridges and other historical sites. Register for the ride at www.willkiedays.com.
Concert
The final concert of the Bicentennial Concert series begins at 6 PM with rising country artist Tyler Booth. Following Booth will be the 70s southern style rock band Molly Hatchet. Headliner Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry will take center stage as we celebrate Rush County and show why our town is “Something to be Proud of.” Over 15 food trucks will be in attendance as the Friends of Fred Food Trucks visits Rush County for our Bicentennial Celebration.
The final concert of the Bicentennial Concert series begins at 6 PM with rising country artist Tyler Booth. Following Booth will be the 70s southern style rock band Molly Hatchet. Headliner Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry will take center stage as we celebrate Rush County and show why our town is “Something to be Proud of.” Over 15 food trucks will be in attendance as the Friends of Fred Food Trucks visits Rush County for our Bicentennial Celebration.
Bicentennial Bargain Days
Businesses and restaurants will offer a variety of discounts, deals, or bicentennial specials the week leading up to the Bicentennial celebration on September 17th. This promotion will run from Sunday, September 11th to Saturday, September 17th. These deals will be publicized on the Chamber of Commerce and City of Rushville’s Facebook.
Businesses and restaurants will offer a variety of discounts, deals, or bicentennial specials the week leading up to the Bicentennial celebration on September 17th. This promotion will run from Sunday, September 11th to Saturday, September 17th. These deals will be publicized on the Chamber of Commerce and City of Rushville’s Facebook.
Other Notable Community Events
September:
Willkie Days (16, 17 and 18)
16th – Covered Bridge Dinner
17th – RushFest
17th – 5-in-50 Bicycle Ride
17th - Riverside Concert – Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry / Molly Hatchet / Tyler Booth
17th – Autocross/Derby @ Rush Country Fairgrounds Track
18th - SPARC Walk (Suicide Prevention Around Rush County) at Riverside Park Amphitheatre
October:
24th - Witches Night Out
29th – Halloween on Main Street
31st – Trick or Treating
November:
18th– Boys & Girls Club Wine Tasting/Auction
19th - Christmas On Main
December:
3rd – Carthage Christmas Festival
17th – Rushville Chapter DAR Wreaths Across America
Willkie Days (16, 17 and 18)
16th – Covered Bridge Dinner
17th – RushFest
17th – 5-in-50 Bicycle Ride
17th - Riverside Concert – Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry / Molly Hatchet / Tyler Booth
17th – Autocross/Derby @ Rush Country Fairgrounds Track
18th - SPARC Walk (Suicide Prevention Around Rush County) at Riverside Park Amphitheatre
October:
24th - Witches Night Out
29th – Halloween on Main Street
31st – Trick or Treating
November:
18th– Boys & Girls Club Wine Tasting/Auction
19th - Christmas On Main
December:
3rd – Carthage Christmas Festival
17th – Rushville Chapter DAR Wreaths Across America