Programs, schedules, maps being completed
Plans for Milan's Sesquicentennial finalized
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

With a publicity blitz reaching from the New York Times to the Los Angeles Times and all points between, the Milan Sesquicentennial Committee is putting finishing touches on the plans for July 1-4 when the community expects thousands to visit.

During the committee meeting on Tuesday, June 8, Chairperson Mike Kissell heard reports from subcommittees as well as Police Chief Tom Holt and Town Manager John Ingram concerning activities, traffic/crowd control, trash pickup, the parade route, volunteers, telephone and food service.

Publicity chairperson Melissa Cook reported she had received 82,436 inquiries from a press release she had e-mailed. She is also responsible for the website: http://www.milan150years.org, which has received almost 250,000 hits.

At present she has confirmation that the New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, and many others will cover the event in some way.

All Cincinnati media, including newspapers, radio, and television channels are making plans to be in Milan for the events. Area radio stations are also planning coverage, according to Cook.

Her home at 306 North Main Street will be the media center, Cook told the committee.

In the press release, Cook begins: "Follow the Tracks" to the small town where the real events that inspired the movie "Hoosiers" happened. The Town of Milan, Indiana will host the Milan Sesquicentennial Celebration during scheduled festivities July 1-4, 2004."

She lists history exhibits, tours, family-friendly activities, live music, and special celebrity appearances during the celebration. "Members of the original 1954 basketball team will be in attendance as will the current and 1954 Miss Indiana Cecilia Dennis," she continues.

At present members of the Milan '54 basketball team are scheduled to be at the Museum on Friday, July 2, from 3:00 till 5:00 p.m.; then on Saturday from 9:00 till 9:45 a.m. and from 1:00 till 4:00 p.m., and on Sunday, July 4, from 1:00 till 3:00 p.m. Basketballs with team autographs will be on sale during the event.

On both Saturday and Sunday, the movie "Hoosiers" and the 1954 State Final basketball game will be shown continuously from 1:00 till 4:00 p.m. at the Milan Middle School Multi-Media Center.

Among the activities listed on the schedule are a 3-on-3 basketball tourney on Thursday, July 1; a golf tournament at Hoosier Links on Friday, July 2; tours of the Milan Middle School and High School; a vintage fashion show, and opening ceremonies at the Milan VFW from 5:00 till 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 2.

On Friday evening, events include a teen dance at the American Legion, "kids night out" at the Milan Elementary School, and music in the park at the Community Park.

Saturday, July 3, will feature hot air balloon rides at the Milan Community Park; a softball tournament as well as a horseshoe tournament; Greensburg parachute jumpers prior to the parade.

This year's parade, which as in the past will be sponsored by the Milan Lions Club, is expected to follow the same general route, but with many more entries, the 1954 Milan Indians, and other celebrities.

At noon on Saturday, a music and jam session is listed for the American Legion patio

The Milan Volunteer Fire Department will sponsor a chicken dinner from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 3. Cloggers will perform at the Milan High School Cafetorium from 2:00 till 3:00 p.m..

Also on Saturday, the Milan First Baptist Church will sponsor an ice cream social from 4:00 till 7:00 p.m.; Music in the Park will take place from 6:00 till 11:00 p.m.; and the annual Fourth of July fireworks are sched
uled for 9:00 p.m. at the Community Park.

Sunday's activities begin with a continental breakfast by the planning committee from 8:00 till 9:30 a.m.; a community worship service in the Milan High School Gymnasium from 10:00 till 11:00 a.m.; a Community Choir performance from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon.

A fish fry will begin at noon at the Delaware Firehouse; the Milan VFW will have "Cruise In" from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. with food available.

Other events include a talent show at the Milan Middle School Gym at 2:00 p.m.; corn hole, kickball, and family activities at the Community Park; a gospel sing from 2:00 till 4:00 p.m. in the high school cafetorium, followed by the Tri-County Harmonizers from 4:00 till 5:00 p.m.

Ending Sunday's schedule will be a Sock Hop with '50's and '60's music at the Milan VFW from 6:00 till 9:00 p.m.

During Tuesday's meeting, Linda Combs described the history exhibit planned for nine rooms of the Milan Middle School. Each room will feature events from 1854 till the present. The committee is enlisting the aid of volunteers to serve as docents for the hours of 10:00 till 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 2, and 1:00 till 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 4.

The Milan Sesquicentennial Committee is a not-for-profit organization, whose aim is to promote Milan's unique history and further the economic development and community vitality in the area. Monetary contributions can be sent to Gene Pitts, treasurer of the committee.

MARY MARGARET MOORHEAD PHOTO

Mike Kissell, chairperson of the Milan Sesquicentennial Committee, shows committee members a series of posters Donna Barton has created concerning the history of the town. These will be distributed throughout Milan prior to the major events scheduled for Thursday, July 1, through Sunday, July 4.