-- — Five months after a tornado devastated a small Ripley County town, community members are joining together to observe how far they have come since the March 2 storm.
On Saturday, Aug. 11, The Recovery Bash: A Celebration of Holton will be held at the town park. “We thought it was important to recognize the town and that they’ve come through and done very well, but there is still more help needed to get the community back together,” reports event coordinator Christy Sutton.
“We will have a free all-day music concert and lots of good food. Hot dogs, hamburgers and pork burgers will be served early in the day. Beginning at 4 p.m., there will be chicken and pork chop dinners. Homemade ice cream will also be available.
“The silent auction will feature a few neat things from music artists,” including a guitar signed by Willie Nelson and Jamie Johnson and autographed pictures of The Grascals, Carrie Underwood and Alan Jackson. There is also a Belterra Casino Resort overnight package along with other items, she reveals.
Popular kids’ activities on site will be a dunk tank, bouncy houses and games. In addition, “we will have T-shirts and memorabilia on sale.”
The Osgood resident, who says she feels very fortunate that the tornado ended about three miles from her home, announces her employer, Napoleon State Bank, is coordinating the event.
“The bank has been part of the community for 50 years. We talked about doing an anniversary celebration, but then we hooked up with Keith Swinney,” whose band member Ron Pickett lost his life in the storm. Then “we decided against the anniversary and focused on getting the town some money.
“Swinney is heading up the whole music side of things, and we’re handling the rest.” All proceeds will go toward rebuilding efforts in Holton.
Sutton encourages the public to “just come out and enjoy the day. There will be lots of great music .... It’s a great small town. You’ll be able to see the progress that has been made and what still needs to be done.”
Companies or individuals wishing to sponsor or donate items for the bash can contact Sutton at 812-852-4002, Ext. 230; or csutton@ napoleonstatebank. com.
Monetary donations are welcome and can be mailed to The Napoleon State Bank, Holton Recovery Account, P.O. Box 9, Napoleon, IN 47034. Checks can be made payable to Holton Recovery Account.
Diane Raver can be contacted at diane.raver@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com.
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