Scenes from the Interstate 69 Community Day Celebration on Saturday

Saturday, October 20, 2012

By Nick Schneider, Assistant Editor

Greene County celebrated its Interstate 69 Community Day event under cool, sometimes rainy skies Saturday morning with a variety of activities at a site along the interstate in Taylor Township. Assistant Indiana Department of Transportation Director Sam Sarvis joined with District 62 State Representative Matt Ubelhor and Indiana Economic Development Corporation Director Joan Bethell in cutting the ribbon on the new roadway that is expected to be open for public traffic before the end of the year. Brianne Jerrels, Community Development Specialist in the Greene County Economic Development Corporation Office who led the local community day effort, said the county was been designated a 1.7 mile stretch in the north lane of the highway for its variety of activities billed "Let's Rock Before We Roll." The Greene County celebration site was near the intersection of the State Road 58/U.S. 231 junction with the new interstate highway -- just off of County Road 700. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) provided limited access to sections of the nearly completed I-69 for Community Day events at five locations along the I-69 corridor. Other celebrations were held near Odon, Washington, Petersburg and Oakland City.

Mason Burch, the son of David and Lori Burch, is all smiles as he walks on the new roadway with his grandfather, Ken Holtsclaw, of Bloomfield, at Saturday's I-69 Community Day Celebration on Saturday.
Bloomfield American Legion Post No. 196's championship color guard march toward the staging area for the ribbon cutting of the Greene County section of I-69 on Saturday morning. The color guard is the state and national champions.
Bloomfield American Legion Post No. 196's color guard stands at attention during the singing of the National Anthem by Jack Terrell of Bloomfield.
Deputy Indiana Transportation Department Director Sam Sarvis, at right, cut the ribbon at Saturday's I-69 Community Day celebration signaling the near completion of the interstate highway. Assisting in the ceremony, in the middle, is Greene County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Joan Bethell and District 62 Indiana State Representative Matt Ubelhor (R-Bloomfield). Savis is a native of Lyons.

INDOT Deputy Director Sam Sarvis, who is charge of the Major Moves program, addressed the crowd that gathered for the I-69 Community Day celebration. He's holding a proclamation from Gov. Mitch Daniels declaring Saturday I-69 Community Day.
Greene County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Joan Bethell served as the moderator for Satruday's ribbon cutting ceremony.
Members of the Classic Cruisers Car Club had a cruise-in as part of Saturday's festivities.
A variety of military equipment from NSA Crane tenants was on display. Here, visitors look at a watercraft.
Visitors to Saturday's I-69 celebration in Greene County were afforded the opportunity to take a stroll on the new highway. Here, a family walks northbound.
Here, some members of the Richland-Taylor Fire Department, based in Scotland, hold the I-69 road sign to commemorate Saturday's event. This volunteer fire department is in the process of building a fire/ambulance station in the WestGate Technology Park that will serve as the first response unit to wrecks or medical calls along the southern Greene County corridor of I-69.
Susie Schulte, at left, holds the I-69 sign, which was a popular prop in many photos taken on Saturday.