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Kick off IU Bicentennial at the 200 Festival

Sep 11, 2019

With something for everybody, the 200 Festival will kick off celebrations for the Indiana University Bicentennial.

Bicentennial box
The 200 Festival is the fall kickoff event to the IU Bicentennial Year.Photo by Chris Meyer, Indiana University

“From Sept. 18 to 28, IU campuses across the state will honor the university’s impact and history,” said Kelly Kish, director of the Office of the Bicentennial. “Even though bicentennial events started several years ago and will continue into 2020, the 200 Festival is the headline event for our fall semester. We hope that students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members will gather wherever they are able to participate in this celebratory and commemorative series of events.”

Here’s a look at some of the highlights of the festival:

A three-day event in Bloomington

From Sept. 26 to 28, the Bloomington campus will celebrate with a slew of 200 Festival events. Here are four of the can’t-miss events:

  • IU Press Bicentennial Book Launch: 3 to 5 p.m. Sept. 26, Presidents Hall in Franklin Hall. Celebrate three new Well House books: “The Lilly Library from A to Z,” “The Spirit of Generosity” and “Indiana University and the World.”
  • Collections and Heritage Showcase: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 27, Solarium, Indiana Memorial Union. Engage with cutting-edge technologies that are preserving and showcasing university heritage. Get an update on the “Megajeff” Megalonyx project, see the products of the massive Media Digitization and Preservation Initiative, check out virtual- and augmented-reality experiences for IU campuses, and be first in line to visit the Bicentennial Traveling Exhibit.
  • Bicentennial Ceremony: 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 28, IU Auditorium. Celebrate the university’s history with IU President Michael A. McRobbie as well as faculty, staff, students and alumni from around the state and around the world. See rare archival footage of IU, hear from guest speakers, and enjoy Straight No Chaser as they debut their IU Bicentennial song. Special giveaways to be announced soon. RSVP on the bicentennial website.
  • Outdoor Festival: 3 to 7 p.m. Sept. 28, Athletics Complex. Enjoy the afternoon with food and live entertainment. Attendees will have access to Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall to shoot layups and take photos. Plus, there will be a viewing party for IU football’s game at Michigan State. Bounce around in 10,000 square feet of the World’s Largest Bounce House.

Faculty showcases

IU campuses across the state will display the research and work that faculty are doing with showcases and research days. Here’s the schedule:

  • IUPUI: 12:30 p.m. Sept. 18, Campus Center 450 A, B and C.
  • IU Kokomo: 2:30 p.m. Sept. 19, Alumni Hall in the Kelley Center.
  • IU East: 4:30 p.m. Sept. 19, Whitewater Hall.
  • IU South Bend: 7 p.m. Sept. 26, LangLab, downtown South Bend.
  • IU Southeast: 9 a.m. Sept. 27, University Center North.
  • IU Bloomington: 2 p.m. Sept. 27, Presidents Hall in Franklin Hall.
  • IU Northwest: 1:30 p.m. (CDT) Sept. 27, Arts and Sciences Building, Mainstage Theatre.

IUPUI Regatta

The 11th annual IUPUI Regatta is Sept. 21. Events are all day, but the race starts at 10 a.m.

In addition to the half-mile canoe race, expect live music, an arts and culture fair, food, a kid zone and more.

More events

To see a full list of 200 Festival events as well as other bicentennial events throughout the year, visit the bicentennial website.

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