Backyard Adventures

4 PIKE PUBLISHING BACKYARD ADVENTURES 2016 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Heuring, Publishers Andy G. Heuring, Senior Editor Brian Paul Kaufman, South Gibson Star-Times Editor John B. Heuring, Adv. Manager Eric Gogel, Production Manager Monica Sinclair, Office Manager Cindy Petty, Adv. Sales Fran Petit, Adv. Sales Pam Lemond, Adv. Sales Matthew Haycraft, Adv. Designer • • • • • • Telephone 812-354-8500 820 Poplar Street, P.O. Box 68 Petersburg, Indiana 47567 www.pressdispatch.net www.sgstartimes.com • • • • • • Written By: Alden Heuring, Andy Heuring, Brian Paul Kaufman, Fran Petit and Andrea Preston Photography By: Alden Heuring, Andy Heuring, Eric Gogel and Fran Petit Calendar Items Compiled By: Andrea Preston Proofread By: Monica Sinclair Designed By: Eric Gogel Advertising Designed By: Eric Gogel and Matthew Haycraft Cover and introduction photo: Hornady Park taken by Eric Gogel and John Heuring. Special thanks to the Willis family for posing for the photo. Family members are: Brian, Erin, Lily, Kennedy and Sadie. GIBSON COUNTY OVERVIEW Gibson County is the heart of Southwest- ern Indiana, at the intersection of Inter- state 64 and U.S. 41 and with three exits into the county from Interstate 69. The county hosts no less than half a dozen festivals each year, and between festivals, visitors can check out some local attractions. There are plenty of hidden marvels to discover, one-of-a-kind restau- rants, and quaint shops awaiting you in your search for fun and relaxation. THE AZALEA PATH Arboretum & Botanical Gardens Sure to be a favorite stop, this privately- owned facility offers more than 50 acres and more than 2,000 varieties of azaleas, plus a large variety of unusual plants and native Indiana trees in a beautifully land- scaped setting, with two spring-fed lakes, a waterfall, a koi pond and unique chainsaw sculptures. For added comfort, there are benches perched along the beautifully landscaped trails winding throughout the grounds. It's a peaceful way to get away from it all. Check out www.azaleapatharbo- retum.org for directions. VISITORS CENTER Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana Here, you'll discover Southwest Indiana's industrial heritage. See Gibson County's own Toyota manufacturing facility, and the Toyota Production System, up-close and in- depth. Admission is free and Visitors Center hours vary, so look online at www.tourtoyo- taindiana.com for more information. PRINCETON DEPOT Step inside the beautifully restored depot in downtown Princeton—the county's only remaining depot structure. It features a railway museum and a restored train caboose. The depot is also home to the Gib- son County Visitors Center, so it's a great stop for a tour and information. QUILT TRAIL Gibson County has joined the quilt block trail. Grab a map at the Princeton Depot and enjoy following the blocks around the highways and scenic routes of the county. A quilt block quest is a relaxing way to spend a day in Gibson County and get to know the area. Visit www.gibsoncoun- tyin.org for maps and more information about the trail. LYLES STATION Historic School & Museum Stands as one of the last remaining A frican-American settlements in the Hoosier state. A visit to the Lyles Station Historic School & Museum, located west of Princeton, is an eye-opening experience for any traveler. The Heritage Classroom even provides area students the opportunity to experience a day in the life of school chil- dren in the early 1900s. Go online at www. lylesstation.org for more information. COUNTY COURTHOUSE Just a few blocks down from the Princeton Depot is the most significant historical structure in the county. If the courthouse looks familiar, that's because it was used as the model for the Dept. 56 Original Snow Village Courthouse. Visitors can relax in the gazebo on the courthouse lawn, browse the memorials around the perimeter, and walk across the street to access all the shops around the Princeton square. Princeton's downtown organization hosts frequent events at the courthouse square, too. COVERED BRIDGES Gibson County is also home to two remaining covered bridges. Red Bridge over Big Bayou Creek in southern Gibson County was built in 1875. The Wheeling Bridge, spanning the Patoka River north- east of Princeton, was built in 1877. In 2000, the Wheeling Bridge underwent a major renovation, which included beautiful new landscaping, courtesy of the Gibson County Master Gardeners. NEW GENERATION DAIRY FARM New Generation is located in the south- western part of the county. School groups regularly tour the farm and discover how milk gets from the farm to the dinner table. Presently, the dairy milks more than 1,200 cows, three times a day. For tours, call 812- 729 -7300. FAIRGROUNDS And, of course, the Gibson County Fair- grounds are worth checking out. Whether there's a festival, a concert, or some other event, the fairgrounds are as likely as not to have something going on throughout the year. The Gibson County Fair has always been a place for family and friends to make memories that last a lifetime. The amazing memories you make at the Fairgrounds does not only have to happen once a year. Consider making more memories with us by hosting your next event at the newly opened 4-H Exhibit Hall. Whether you are hosting a fundraiser, family reunion, business meeting, or wedding, the 4-H Exhibit Hall has all the amenities you will need to have a wonderful event. Reserve your date today. For full listing of events, visit gibsoncountyfair.com or watch for our ad in the South Gibson Star-Times, Princeton Daily Clarion or The Press-Dispatch. TOYOTA CONCERT $7 DAILY GROUNDS ADMISSION JULY 10-16 161st Annual AMENITIES INCLUDE: • Fully finished Interior • Wraparound Patio • Dimmable Lighting • 43 Round Tables • 15 Rectangular Tables • 350 Chairs • Podium with Microphone and Speaker System NOW TAKING RESERVATIONS FOR 2016 AND 2017 RESERVE TODAY! 812-385-3445 events@gibsoncountyfair.com • Catering Kitchen with Commercial Refrigerator, Food Warming Cabinet, Freezer, Ample Counter Space and Serving Window Check out all of our facility options at www.gibsoncountyfair.com Friday, July 15 at 8 p.m. FRIDAY, JULY 8 7 p.m. Miss Gibson County & Miss Gibson County Sweetheart Contest at the Old Princeton High School Auditorium SUNDAY, JULY 10 7 p.m. Mud Volleyball 7 p.m. Antique Tractor Pull at Track #2 7 p.m. Lucas Oil Truck and Tractor Pull at Track #1 MONDAY, JULY 11 Military Appreciation Day FREE with ID and Senior Citizen Day $4 7 p.m. Farmers Pull at Track #2 7 p.m. Mini Rod Pull at Track #1 7 p.m. Ohio River Valley Tractor Pullers Following Farmers Pull TUESDAY, JULY 12 Kiddie Day 7 p.m. Carnaby Street Stage Princess & Mini Princess Contest 7 p.m. Southern Indiana Farm Stock 7 p.m. Tri-State Truck Pull at Track #1 7 p.m. S. Indiana Farm Stock Pull at Track #2 WEDNESDAY, JULY 13 7 p.m. Carnaby Street Stage Talent Show 7 p.m. Motocross Racing Bikes Presented by Backwoods Motorsports THURSDAY, JULY 14 Family Night $10 Per Car Load or $7 per person 6:15 p.m. 4-H Awards Presentation in the Pavilion 6:45 p.m. Livestock Premium Auction in the Pavilion 7 p.m. Motocross Racing Quads Presented by Backwoods Motorsports FRIDAY, JULY 15 8 p.m. Toyota Concert with Old Dominion ($10 Track side in front of stage available day of show on a first-come-first-serve basis with paid admission to the fairgrounds SATURDAY, JULY 16 7 p.m. Carnaby Street Stage Live Music with Payton Lynn 7 p.m. MWA Pro Wrestling in the Pavilion 7 p.m. DEMO DERBY Presented by Gibson County Fair Board Big Payouts, Big Trophies = BIG HITS

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