By Vicki Veach—
MUNCIE, Ind. — Join the City of Muncie, Muncie Downtown Development, Muncie Visitors Bureau, Muncie Sports Commission and Horizon Convention Center the weekend of Sept. 30–Oct. 2 as they welcome IRONMAN Indiana to Muncie. The city anticipates roughly 3,500 athletes and their supporters (upwards of 9,000 people total) in Muncie over the course of the weekend. The triathletes can compete in the 70.3-mile race or the full IRONMAN, which is 140.6 miles.
“The economic impact of the IRONMAN weekend should generate over five million dollars from food, beverage, room nights and transportation,” said Dale Basham, Interim Director of the Muncie Visitors Bureau.
Area attractions, Ball State University and businesses are offering special activities and extended hours. Highlights of the weekend’s schedule of events include:
Thursday, Sept. 30
DWNTWN Muncie will play host to the IRONMAN participants early in the day as athletes register at the Horizon Convention Center.
“I would like to encourage the local community to join us as we kick off the IRONMAN experience with a Welcoming Ceremony at 6 p.m. in Canan Commons,” said Mayor Dan Ridenour. “We want to show these amazing athletes from all over the world that they are welcome and encourage them to come back again.”
Following the Welcome Ceremony, Muncie will showcase downtown with a free concert at 7 p.m.—open to the public as well as the athletes and their supporters—featuring Kentucky Headhunters and Flynnville Train. A popular local favorite, Flynnville Train will open the show. Kentucky Headhunters, the Grammy Award-winning band known for their blend of honky-tonk blues and southern country, will headline the evening. Vendors will be onsite at Canan Commons. Please bring your own chair or blanket. For more information, visit downtownmuncie.org/ironman.
Charlie Cardinal, the Ball State Cheer Team and Ivy Tech’s Rudi the Roadrunner will join the fun, and The Clubhouse at Accutech will offer a one-night-only, sneak peek preview of their new venue. The Clubhouse offers family-friendly, state-of-the-art digital golf simulators and signature food and drinks.
Many downtown restaurants and merchants will be open for business and invite you to join the activities throughout downtown.
Friday, Oct. 1
The IRONMAN athletes and others will be out around the city shopping, eating, visiting the race site and continuing registration downtown. Businesses are encouraged to staff up and prepare for the increase in the number of visitors.
Saturday, Oct. 2 IRONMAN Race Day and Ball State vs. Army
Race day! Most IRONMAN participants will be at the Prairie Creek Reservoir area. Volunteers are still needed, especially in the 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. time slot. Contact jon@munciesports.com or selveyro@gmail.com if you are interested.
Ball State University Cardinals Football will host the Army Black Knights at Scheumann Stadium. Time TBA. The Army Black Knights football team, previously known as the Army Cadets, represents the United States Military Academy in college football. Army is a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the NCAA. Anticipated attendance for this game is 10–15 thousand. Businesses and the community should expect Saturday to be busy especially in and around the Ball State area.
What you can do:
If you have a sign on your property, please put out a WELCOME IRONMAN/WELCOME ARMY message. Welcome buttons, signs and posters for retail, hotel and restaurant staff are available. If you would like those materials to use and display, contact 765-282-7897 or email info@munciedowntown.org.
For more information, visit downtownmuncie.org/ironman.
