Vanderburgh Bicentennial Park Ribbon Cutting Scheduled for Friday 

Evansville, IN– The Old Courthouse Foundation announces the completion of Vanderburgh Bicentennial Park, a project underwritten by the Foundation to celebrate Vanderburgh County’s Bicentennial in 2018. The Foundation’s Board of Directors, along with the Vanderburgh County Commissioners will cut the ceremonial ribbon on the Old Courthouse Lawn project at 10 am on Friday, May 24 at the Court Street Entrance. 

Foundation president, Nick Wildeman states, “This project honors our county’s 200^th birthday. By renovating the Old Courthouse grounds to include walking paths, seating and landscaping, we hope to engage the public in the use of the park for leisure activities as well as creating opportunities for more public outdoor events. Our Courthouse has been utilized continuously for over 128 years. We hope to continue that legacy by offering more space in which our county’s citizens can enjoy our region’s architectural jewel”. 

Ben Shoulders, President of the Board of County Commissioners said, “We hope the Community will join us on Friday to celebrate our vibrant Old Courthouse and continue to utilize our wonderfully renovated greenspace right in the heart of downtown.”  

Following the ribbon cutting, the Foundation will host Lunch on the Lawn. This free, family-friendly event will include Live Music by the band Foundayshun and food for purchase from local food trucks including Chino Taco, Bruce Li, Sweet Sassy Sweet Confections, Lolly’s Pops, Kona Ice, River City Dawgs and Papa T’s Tamales. Food trucks will be located on the Fourth Street side of the Old Courthouse.  

In addition, the Old Courthouse and the Old Jail will be open to the public and self-guided tours are encouraged. Docents will host guided tours of the Old Courthouse at 11:00am and 1:00pm starting in the Main Rotunda on the first floor of the building. Woods and Woods will host tours of the Old Jail also at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. Those tours will begin at the main entrance to the Woods and Woods offices.

The Old Courthouse Foundation is a non- profit organization whose mission is to support the preservation and ongoing restoration of the Old Courthouse and create educational programs to engage the community in its preservation’s efforts.