First Merchants proudly supported the Indiana Bicentennial Torch relay and Steve Anderson, First Merchants Bank’s former President, CEO and Chairman of the Board, as he ran the live torch through downtown Muncie Tuesday, September 27th. Mr. Anderson received the live torch at the YMCA and headed north on Mulberry then turned on to East Jackson passing First Merchants headquarters front door.

First Merchants employees, friends and colleagues lined the street dressed in black, gold and white to cheer on Mr. Anderson. The group held balloons and wore custom buttons in honor of Mr. Anderson and in support of our community and the Indiana Bicentennial. Mr. Anderson was selected as one of 24 local Delaware County Torchbearers in the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay. Torchbearers were nominated by the public and nominations were vetted at the local level by county torch relay coordinating committees.

The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay started September 9 in Corydon, Indiana’s first state capital, and will culminate with a celebration October 15 on the grounds of the statehouse in Indianapolis. For more information regarding the Indiana Bicentennial Torch relay visit http://www.in.gov/ibc/torchrelay/