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Record-breaking tournament to benefit veterans and the Indiana War Memorials Foundation

INDIANAPOLIS — The grounds of the America Legion Mall in downtown Indianapolis will be the site of the largest single-day cornhole tournament in the country. The first Indy Cornhole Classic: Throwing for Veterans will take place on August 19 from 2 to 6 p.m., and organizers are inviting cornhole enthusiasts from across the state to participate.

“Right now, the current record for a single-day cornhole tournament is held by the Iowa State Fair,” said Blaine Zimmerman, president and CEO of INVets and Indiana War Memorial Foundation board member. “We are welcoming all players, no matter their skill level, to come out and play in support of a great cause. We would love to see a huge event.”

Presented by INVets and the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA), proceeds from the event will benefit the Indiana War Memorials Foundation. These funds help support, maintain, and program the many monuments and memorials that honor veterans.

“The best part of this tournament is that participation makes a direct, positive impact on the lives of our veterans and their families,” said Brig. Gen. J. Stewart Goodwin USAF, Ret., Executive Director of the Indiana War Memorials Commission. “The funds raised here will go a long way in supporting and maintaining the beautiful monuments and memorials that pay tribute to the brave men and women who've served our nation over the years.”

Every level of cornhole player, from competitive to recreational, will have an opportunity to compete for prizes. Cash prizes will be awarded to cornholers who play at the competitive level. Recreational cornhole players can vie for an array of donated prizes. The entrance fee is $70 for the competitive level and $40 for the recreational. Players can compete at the competitive or recreational level, but not both. At least one person from each team must pre-register on the free Scoreholio app after tickets have been purchased through Eventbrite.

In addition to the cornhole tournament, there will be a family-friendly festival in Veterans Memorial Plaza with free games and activities and a “mess hall” on North Street that will have food trucks, a silent auction, and adult-beverage vendors. Attending the festival is free.

The Indiana War Memorial Museum, located at 55 E. Michigan Street, will also be open to the public 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This free 30,000 square-foot museum boasts three floors of beautiful exhibits, with interior and exterior designed to honor and remember Indiana’s veterans. Learn more here.

“The National Guard is bringing their inflatable obstacle course which is fun for everybody. People will be able to play cornhole against Rowdie the mascot for the Indianapolis Indians and Sting Ray Robb, a rookie IndyCar driver. People can meet them and get their autographs,” said Zimmerman.

The Indy Cornhole Classic is managed by Custom Cornhole, an organization that has organized more than 1,500 tournaments in 17 years.

The event is outdoors with a rain date of August 20.

To purchase tickets from Eventbrite go to www.eventbrite.com/e/indy-cornhole-classic-tickets-568253630907

To get more information and to register go to www.in.gov/dva/home/indy-cornhole-classic/

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About INVets

Partnering with veterans, their families, and Indiana communities to facilitate a meaningful transition to civilian life while strengthening Indiana’s economy.

About the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA)

The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) is a state agency dedicated to serving. Its mission is to Support, Serve, and Advocate for the Indiana Veteran Community. IDVA aims to create a state where veterans Live, Work and Thrive. For more information about IDVA and its services, visit in.gov/dva.

About the Indiana War Memorials Foundation

The Indiana War Memorials Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides financial support for the museum, memorials, monuments, and parks that the Commission manages and operates. Together, we honor the valor, history, and sacrifice of Hoosier veterans. The museum collections, memorials, monuments, and parks allow us to share the stories of the heroic service men and women so that future generations can learn, honor, and be inspired by them.

August is the perfect time to practice your shooting skills. Not only is it in the midst of the Paris 2024 Olympics, but it’s also National Shooting Sports Month. You can watch Olympic shooting sports on TV and join the fun at your local DNR shooting range.

Depending on the range you visit, you can practice archery, rifle, shotgun, handgun, trap, and skeet.

Watch our new shooting range video to view our facilities and find more information about DNR shooting ranges on our Public Shooting Ranges web page.

Regional Shooting Ranges:

Clark State Forest
2 Service Road
Henryville, IN 47126
812-294-4306
Rifle, shotgun, handgun
Monday and Thursday: Noon - sunset.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday: Sunrise - sunset.
Sunday: Closed.
$5 a day, $25 for annual pass.

Crosley FWA
2010 S. State Highway 3
North Vernon, IN 47265
812-346-5596
Archery, rifle, handgun
Open: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET, Wednesday – Sunday Closed: Monday and Tuesday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day Winter Hours for January and February Open: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET, Friday, Saturday, Sunday Closed: Monday – Thursday.
Archery Range: Open daily sunrise to sunset

Hardy Lake
5620 N. Hardy Lake Road
Scottsburg, IN 47170
812-794-3800
Archery
Daily: Sunrise - sunset.

Jackson-Washington State Forest
1278 East State Road 250
Brownstown, IN 47220
812-358-2160
Archery
Daily: Sunrise - Sunset.

Patoka Lake
3084 N. Dillard Road
Birdseye, IN 47513
812-338-5589
Archery
Daily: Sunrise - Sunset.

Basic range rules for all Division of Fish & Wildlife operated ranges:
This is not a comprehensive list of rules; please read and obey all rules posted at the range you visit.
    •    Eye and ear protection are required on all firearm ranges.
    •    All range users and visitors must wear a shirt and shoes (closed-toed shoes and a full T-shirt are suggested).
    •    Shoot only at paper targets placed on the provided target holders; clay targets are allowed on the shotgun range.
    •    Automatic fire and rapid fire (more than one shot per second) are prohibited.
    •    .50 caliber BMG or any firearm capable of delivering more than 9,000 ft/lbf (foot pounds of force) are prohibited.
    •    Holstered firearms are not allowed anywhere on the shooting range, except by on-duty uniformed law enforcement officers.
    •    Eating, drinking, and smoking are allowed only in the parking area.
    •    Range users must be at least eighteen years old or accompanied by someone who is at least 18 years old.

By: Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

Jim still has his sprint car.

Who could ever forget driving their sprint car on the world-famous track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway!

Jim and his wife, Sandra.

I recently had the pleasure to interview Jim McIntosh, an original spectator of the first race at the Salem Speedway in 1947.

McIntosh now 86 years old, and he was nine years when he saw his first race at the Speedway. He attended with his grandfather, James McIntosh.

The speedway opened in June 22, 1947. It was a banked .555-mile oiled dirt track in ’47. His grandfather was an uncle to Jim Summer, who started the speedway on the outskirts of Salem. Jim said Summers didn’t have a lot of money so he partnered with Everett “Foxy“ Roberts, a lumber buyer who helped build the grandstands. He can remember the metal roof over the grandstand and how it amplified the roar of the cars.

On the first lap of the first race, sadly two driver went over the wall. Jim said one driver, Clay Corbett, was killed and one was paralyzed. This was very dramatic for a nine-year-old to observe, and he still remembers that.

He remembers the large crowd. The parking lot was full and cars lined the highway. People came from all over to see this race. The price to attend the infield was fifty cents, general admission was two dollars, and box seats went for two dollars and fifty cents.
The infield was Jim’s hang out. At that time the races were sanctioned by AAA. That’s right—the American Automobile Association. They ran races from 1904 to 1955, then USAC took over. USAC stands for “United States Auto Club.”

AAA pulled out in 1955, citing the Le Mans disaster and the death of Bill Vukovich at Indianapolis.

Ted Horn was the AAA champion in 1947. Tommy Hinnershiz was the winner of the twenty-five-lap feature. Besides the main race, there was a 20-car semi feature. Jim remembers the trophy dash for the fastest qualifiers, several heat races and the semi feature.
Mcintosh made his living with a different horse power, training real horses all his life. He also has a stable in Fortville, which is now run by his daughter.

Originally from Hardinsburg, he now lives in Fortville, Indiana. He said he was “Lucky enough to go to Indianapolis and drive my old sprint car.” He drove around the 2 ½ mile track. Jim is now in poor health but would love to see the Joe James/Pat O’Connor race coming to the track on Saturday, September 7. At that time the 500 Sprint car series will take to the track.
USAC no longer has a sprint car division that runs on asphalt. The Silver Crown division is the only group that does.

If you have fond memories of local stories like this or at any track in Indiana, please email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

By: Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

Bob Gruelich was thrilled to visit the Salem Speedway after many years.

Bob's Salem Speedway shirt will be one of his prized possessions.

Bob, sitting in the middle of the front row, was able to share this special afternoon with family and friends.

Bob kept the ticket that the Salem Speedway provided for him.

Scenic Hills At The Monastery in Ferdinand had a big surprise for one of their residents.

Jeremy Kramer, CNA, filled out “Live A Dream” card for resident Bob Greulich. Kramer stated in the card “If it has four wheels and goes fast, Bob is watching.”

The Life Enrichment Team decided that a trip to The Salem Speedway would fill that dream. They loaded the bus and 17 of Bob’s family members plus staff set off for a trip to the speedway. Salem Speedway furnished Bob with a ticket and arranged for seating for all in the wheelchair section.

Bob was a fan of Salem Speedway and used to go there and watch races years ago. Bob’s group got to watch the Firecracker 200, the main event.

The activities director and life enrichment team leader at Scenic Hills is Tiffany Braun.

This will be a day Bob will remember forever. Our hats are off to the fine people at Salem Speedway and Scenic Hills at the Monastery for making this possible.