Summer Sun, Family Fun

Summer is a great time to visit Kokomo!  Check out these family fun activities to plan your summer getaway.

Enjoy fun festivals, food, and fantastic live music during the Kokomo Summer Concert Series with great performers and bands all summer long! Upcoming headliners include The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Robby Krieger of The Doors, and Hotel California “A Salute to The Eagles.” All concerts are free! See full concert schedule on their website.

Hit a “home run” with your family with a visit to Kokomo Municipal Stadium to watch the Kokomo Jackrabbits baseball team. Tickets start at only $8. Themed game nights, giveaways, pre-game festivities, and Kid Zone for youngsters create a fun game-day experience. And best of all, it’s all within walking distance to Kokomo’s revitalized downtown, full of unique dining, shopping, art galleries, and adjacent to beautiful walking and biking trails along the Wildcat Creek!

Want to stay active during your visit? Canoe or kayak in the Kokomo Reservoir or down the Wildcat Creek. Kokomo Canoe & Kayak Rentals offer on-site delivery. Or bike, walk, or run on the Wildcat Creek Walk of Excellence or Industrial Heritage Trail. Both trails intersect Downtown Kokomo, and watch for colorful murals painted by local artists!

Check out Kokomo Beach Family Aquatic Center, the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer afternoon, with its large leisure pool, high energy water slides, splash pad, kiddie slides, and relaxing lazy river. Show off your skills at Kokomo Pipeline Skate Park, a world-class facility in Jackson Morrow Park with 9,800 square feet of concrete – open for boards, bikes, and blades.

Other must-see events this summer include the 2016 Kokomo Air Show on Saturday, July 23, thrilling racing action at Kokomo Speedway, weekly Kokomo Park Band concerts in Highland Park, First Fridays (held year-round) in Downtown, the Cole Porter Classic “Kiss Me, Kate” performed by Kokomo Civic Theatre and Kokomo Symphony Orchestra on August 26-27 at the Kokomo Arts Pavilion, and the new Indiana University Kokomo Union Street Gallery.

For more information on Kokomo, go to www.VisitKokomo.org or download the free Visit Kokomo mobile app.

 

2016 Indiana Tour of Honor Motorcycle Ride Includes New Kokomo Memorial

We are honored to have the new Blue and Gold Star Family Memorial, located next to the Howard County Veterans Memorial, listed on the 2016 Indiana Tour of Honor.  This new memorial was dedicated on September 13, 2015 and is located in Kokomo’s Darrough Chapel Park.

Riders can find more information on the 2016 Indiana Tour of Honor map.

For a list of all Veterans monuments and memorials in Kokomo/Howard County, go to www.VisitKokomo.org/Veterans or call the Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau at 800-837-0971.

Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay route through Howard County revealed

 

Lt. Governor Eric J. Holcomb, Indiana Office of Tourism Development (IOTD) executive director Mark Newman and the Howard County Torch Relay Committee recently released the route that the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay will follow through Howard County this fall. The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay will be a 3,200 mile journey with nearly 2,000 torchbearers from each of Indiana’s 92 counties participating. Starting in Corydon on September 9, the route showcases locations of natural beauty, local interest and historic significance to the state.

“The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay is not only the premier event of our state’s Bicentennial Celebration, but it is also an opportunity for Hoosiers from counties large and small to showcase all that makes Indiana unique,” said Holcomb. “The torch route was designed to highlight the state’s cultural fabric, our history and values, and the spirit of Hoosier ingenuity, igniting generations to come.”

The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay will go through Howard County on Wednesday, October 5, 2016, passing by many landmarks and local points of interest, including Highland Park, Kokomo Automotive Museum, Indiana University Kokomo, Northwest Park, Kokomo Speedway, Elwood Haynes Museum, Foster Park, Seiberling Mansion, and the Courthouse Square. Relay will end with a community celebration in Downtown Kokomo.

The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay route through Howard County can be found here.

“We are proud of the many significant historical and iconic attractions in our community and we’re excited to be able to showcase many of them on a statewide stage for this bicentennial year,” said Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance President Charlie Sparks. “We look forward to sharing this once-in-a-lifetime celebration with our residents and visitors. We encourage anyone interested in assisting with preparations for the torch relay or community celebration to contact the Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau for more information.”

The torch relay route was charted by a taskforce of representatives from multiple state agencies and the private sector; including the departments of transportation, natural resources, state police, tourism, community and rural affairs and archives. Local organizing committees in each county finalized their county-specific routes. While the route is considered final, it is subject to slight alterations as conditions on the ground during the relay may warrant. A map of the statewide torch relay route can be found here.

The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay will start September 9 in Corydon, Indiana’s first state capitol, and culminate with a celebration October 15 on the grounds of the statehouse in Indianapolis.

Accompanying the torch will be a high-tech mobile experience—an interactive museum that highlights important milestones during Indiana’s first 200 years and looks ahead to what the state’s future. Indiana State Police personnel will provide logistical support and escort the torch caravan over the course of the relay.

“As we reflect on Indiana’s first 200 years, the torch relay is a terrific opportunity to showcase the beauty and allure of Indiana. From the Lake Michigan shoreline to the rolling hills along the Ohio River, Indiana is full of special people and places. The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay allows us to show off both our state and civic pride as we honor our past while symbolically ‘passing the torch’ to future generations of Hoosiers,” said Newman.

Developed by IOTD, the relay is patterned after the Olympic Torch Relay and is designed to connect Hoosiers across the state and nation with their home state during the bicentennial year. The torch itself was designed by engineering faculty and students at Purdue University. The torch will be primarily transported by people, passing the flame from torch bearer to torch bearer. The relay will also employ other modes of conveyance that are symbolic of the history and heritage of Indiana, including watercraft, farm equipment, a racecar, horse and wagon, antique automobile and others.

Howard County received several nominations for torchbearers and those nominations are currently being vetted by the county torch relay coordinating committee. Torchbearers will be Hoosiers who demonstrate exceptional public service, excellence in their profession, acts of heroism or volunteer service to their neighborhood, community, region or state. Statewide, over 4,000 torchbearer nominations were received.

To follow the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay on social media, visit INTorchRelay on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

 

Consider Kokomo for a Spring Break Staycation!

Looking for things to do during spring break?  Enjoy a staycation and explore all things Kokomo!

Want to experience some of Kokomo’s homegrown gems?  This is your list!  These “made in Kokomo” stops will leave you in awe of our local flavor, culture, and heritage.

Tour Kokomo Opalescent Glass. 

Experience art 127 years in the making at America’s oldest glass art company.  Take a tour of this historic 1888 factory to witness the fine precision of art glass making firsthand, including sheet glass production, hot glass blowing demonstrations, and glass bead making.  Public tours are offered Monday through Friday at 10:00 am and cost $5 per person.  Students $2.  No open-toe shoes, sandals, flip flops, or clogs are permitted on the tour.

Don’t forget to take home a souvenir – KOG’s OP Shop has beautiful handcrafted glass items made in the factory available for purchase. The OP Shop is open Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

See Kokomo-built cars at the Kokomo Automotive Museum. 

The Kokomo Automotive Museum is currently hosting part of “Hoosier Made: World Driven,” a three museum event to celebrate Indiana’s automotive heritage. The event runs until Oct. 3, 2016.  “Hoosier Made: World Driven” examines the heyday of Indiana’s automobile industry when some of the world’s finest motorcars were built in the Hoosier state.

The display features five different Haynes and Apperson touring vehicles from the 1920’s.  In addition the museum is home to more than 100 antique and classic automobiles, offering visitors a glimpse of the nation’s automotive history, with an emphasis on local automotive history.  Hours are Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Try local hand-crafted beers at Half Moon Restaurant & Brewery.

Enjoy a meal with the Wildcat Wheat, Stoplight City Red, Cole Porter, Kokomonster, or try the Half Moon Sampler with all their standard and seasonal fresh brew beer selections in 4 oz. samples.  Menu items include steaks, burgers, slow smoked barbeque, and much more.

Grab a Kokomo-made snack or dessert. 

J. Edwards Gourmet

J. Edwards Gourmet features house-made chocolates, gourmet cakes, unique gifts, dips, and salsas.  Their delicious cakes and chocolates can be purchased by the slice or piece.

From savory to sweet, Kokomo’s Popcorn Cafe offers over 50 flavors of freshly made popcorn.  Kokomo Krunch is their most popular flavor – a mix of popcorn, nuts, candies, and chocolate-drizzled pretzels.  The store also hosts a wide variety of retro and bulk candy.

Blondie’s Cookies is a locally-owned business specializing in freshly baked and handcrafted cookies and brownies. Try the KoKo Swirl Sprinkle and KoKo Kream Sprinkle!

Love donuts?  Try Dan’s Variety Bakery or the Gingerbread House Bakery in downtown for a local and fresh donut fix.  Get them while they last!

Watch a game at Kokomo Municipal Stadium. 

Several college baseball games will be held during the month of March at Kokomo Municipal Stadium in downtown Kokomo, all featuring at least one Indiana college team. Check out the Kokomo Jackrabbits’ website to purchase tickets.

 

Savor the local fare.

Enjoy an Italian lunch or dinner at PASTArrific, recently named one of the “13 Restaurants You Have To Visit In Indiana Before You Die” by Only In Your State.  Their menu includes traditional oven baked entrees, such as lasagna and eggplant parmigiana, as well as artisanal pizzas, seafood pastas, and decadent desserts.

 

For more information on things to do in Kokomo or local events, go to www.VisitKokomo.org or call the Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau at 800-837-0971.

 

 

 

 

Kokomo Municipal Stadium to host soccer, college baseball in 2016

In addition to being the home of the Kokomo Jackrabbits Prospect League baseball team, Kokomo Municipal Stadium will be host to many other sporting events and teams this year.

It was recently announced that the newest USL Premier Development League soccer team is the Kokomo Mantis FC, led by coach and team manager Marcelo Santos. They will play all home games at Kokomo Municipal Stadium starting in June 2016. For more information and to see the team’s schedule, visit uslpdl.com.

The Stadium will also host several college baseball games this spring, all of which will feature a team from an Indiana school. Tickets for the college games are available on the Kokomo Jackrabbits website. These games include:

March 12: Manchester University vs. John Carroll
March 13: Manchester University vs. John Carroll
March 18: Purdue vs. Ohio University
March 19: Purdue vs. Ohio University
March 20: Purdue vs. Ohio University
March 22: Kent St. vs. Evansville
May 17: IPFW vs. Purdue

In addition, the American Legion Baseball 2016 State Finals and the Prospect League’s 2016 All Star Game will both be held at Kokomo Municipal Stadium in July.

The Kokomo Jackrabbits’ 2016 season home game opener is May 26.  Season tickets, 1/2 season tickets, and 7-game packs are on sale now at kokomojackrabbits.com.

Kokomo Municipal Stadium is located within walking distance of the heart of downtown with unique shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Don’t miss a minute of the fun – reserve your tickets now. We look forward to seeing you in Kokomo!

LOVE CHOCOLATE? Don’t miss this sweet event!

Go ahead and indulge during the 14th Annual Chocolate Celebration, an event celebrating all things chocolate!

Double Chocolate Jubilee Cake, Chocolate Mousse Torte, Oreo Cheesecake, Chocolate Cherry Cookies, Chocolate Covered Strawberry Popcorn, Candied Bacon Samoa Cupcakes, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie are just a few of the indulgent items that will featured during this year’s event.  My mouth is watering already!  See a full list of items here.

Tickets are 2 for $5, with each ticket redeemable for one delicious chocolate treat of your choice.  You can purchase tickets at the door.  Arrive early for best selection!

Chocolate Celebration will be held at Kokomo’s First Church of the Nazarene, 2734 S. Washington Street, on Friday, February 5, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Proceeds will benefit Samaritan Caregivers.  For more information, visit their website or call (765) 453-7611.

Wild Indiana Outdoors Expo this weekend in Kokomo

Wild Indiana Outdoors is coming back to Kokomo on January 16-17, 2016 with booths, guest speakers, and exhibitors showcasing camping, biking, hunting, fishing, boating, hiking, canoeing, wildlife education, and many other interests.  If you are an outdoor enthusiast, you definitely won’t want to miss this show!

Wild Indiana Outdoors will be held at the Ivy Tech Kokomo Event & Conference Center, located at 1500 North Reed Road (SR 931), Kokomo. Hours are Saturday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Admission is $5 per person at the door and $1 for kids ages 10 & younger.  To see a list of vendors and speakers or for more information, visit their website or call 765.854.2301.

2015 Visitor Profile Study Findings Released

A visitor profile study was conducted in Kokomo/Howard County earlier this year.  The 2015 study found that most travelers visit Howard County to see family and friends, attend local festivals and events, or conduct business or corporate travel and stay for a short trip; and that the community ranks highly with visitors for hospitality, safety, family-friendliness, and affordability.

Artist Alley in Downtown Kokomo

The study was completed by Certec, Inc., a Lexington, Kentucky-based firm specializing in destination research and market analysis, and found that over one-third of Howard County visitors come to the community to see family and friends, while another 28 percent visit the area to enjoy local events or attractions.

Sixty-two percent of those surveyed say they visit Kokomo for a short trip lasting 1 to 3 days. The findings are also good news for the local economy: in addition to visiting friends and relatives, visitors listed shopping, dining, and attending area sporting and entertainment events as top activities during their stays in Howard County.

Kokomo Municipal Stadium

Furthermore, over 85 percent of those surveyed stated that they are either “completely satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their tourism experiences in Howard County; in fact, less than 1 percent were not at all satisfied with their experiences.

Other key findings from the report:

• Primary markets for Kokomo visitor travel were Indiana (non-Howard County), Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan
• Typical visitor party includes 3 people who stay for an average of 2.4 days
• Popular attractions for visitors include Kokomo Beach Family Aquatic Center, Seiberling Mansion, Elwood Haynes Museum, Kokomo Opalescent Glass, and Kokomo Automotive Museum
• Overall, visitors averaged 4 trips to Howard County in the past 2 years
• Nearly 87% of visitors say they are likely to return to Howard County in the next 2 years

Learn more about our recent visitor profile study here.

Kokomo Automotive Museum hosting part of “Hoosier Made: World Driven” event

The Kokomo Automotive Heritage Museum is hosting part of “Hoosier Made: World Driven,” a three museum event to celebrate Indiana’s automotive heritage. The event, which is a Legacy Project by the Indiana Bicentennial Commission, is underway and runs until Oct. 3, 2016.

“Hoosier Made: World Driven” examines the heyday of Indiana’s automobile industry when some of the world’s finest motorcars were built in the Hoosier state. The exhibit will be presented at Indiana’s three leading transportation museums: The Kokomo Automotive Heritage Museum, the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend and the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum in Auburn.

The Kokomo Automotive Heritage Museum display will feature five different Haynes and Apperson touring vehicles. The museum is home to more than 100 antique automobiles and offers visitors a glimpse of the nation’s automotive history, with an emphasis on local automotive history.

“This event shines a light on our museum and how it represents our local automotive heritage,” said Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight. “It showcases the role Kokomo played in the development of the American automobile, and our city’s central role in the Indiana economy.”

Kokomo Automotive Heritage Museum director of development Jeff Shively said the event presents a great opportunity.

“This is the perfect chance to see three great museums, travel, and learn about Indiana’s automotive heritage,” Shively said. “And you can save money while doing it.”

Visitors can visit all three museums for the price of two. A passport (available at all three museums) can be stamped at two museums and admission to the third museum for free. Admission to the Kokomo Automotive Heritage Museum is $5.

The Kokomo Automotive Museum is located at 1500 North Reed Road (S.R. 931) and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, call 765.454.9999.

 

Explore Kokomo’s Holiday Light Displays

Several Kokomo holiday light displays will open starting on Thanksgiving weekend. A great activity to do with friends, family, and kids!

We Care Park lighting ceremony starts at 5:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving night. The lights will stay on nightly from 5:30-9:30 p.m. through December 27, 2015. Street parking is available to walk through the park or stay in your car and drive through to enjoy over 1,000,000 twinkling lights! We Care Park is located at the corner of Gano and Lafountain Streets (on the northside of Kokomo.)

Highland Park’s “City of Lights” will come alive on Thanksgiving night with nearly 50 holiday light displays. Lights will remain on nightly at dusk through the end of the year.  You can also see Santa at Highland Park until December 24. Another fun holiday tradition!

“Christmas at the Seiberling” starts Saturday, November 28, 2015 with a lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. followed by music, visits with Santa, and of course, tours of the stunning (and magnificently decorated) Seiberling Mansion. See thousands of lights and dozens of Christmas trees! Visitors 12 and younger can compete for a prize in the “Count the Trees” contest! “Christmas at the Seiberling” continues through December 31.

Downtown Kokomo’s Lighting Ceremony of the Courthouse Square starts Friday, December 4, 2015 (during FIRST FRIDAY!)  Stroll through the downtown district from 5:30-9:00 p.m. to see holiday lights and local businesses competing in the window decorating contest. Kids can visit with Santa, carriage rides will be available, and local businesses will be open for holiday shopping!

In this busy season of shopping, baking, and holiday errands, take some time to relax and enjoy the lights!