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Hoosier Celebration '88: A look back at Indiana's yearlong party

Posted at 12:43 PM, Jul 26, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-26 12:43:59-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- How's your Hoosier Pride? If you lived in Indiana in the late '80s, chances are you remember Hoosier Celebration '88. 

Indiana Governor Robert Orr announced the ambitious plan for a yearlong celebration of everything Indiana in 1985. The goal of the campaign was to promote tourism in Indiana while simultaneously giving Hoosiers the opportunity to celebrate their heritage. 

Hoosier Celebration '88 came complete with a patriotic logo, theme song and snazzy promotional video. 

More than 300 Indiana communities participated in the celebration. 

"I think people will have a renewed sense of pride and a renewed understanding of why we ought to be proud of ourselves and our state and why we shouldn't hesitate to tell others how proud we are," one organizer said. 

Indiana lawmakers marked the occasion by approving a massive renovation of the 100-year-old Indiana Statehouse. 

Many of the repairs were unveiled during a gala at the Statehouse on August 31, 1988.  

Singer Marie Osmond headlined the event.  

A picnic for the public was held on the Statehouse lawn the following day. Motown favorite, The Four Tops performed for a crowd of hundreds. The day was capped off with a fireworks display. 

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