Tipton Magazine September 2023

BERT

DANI

DELYLA

GUS

HARVEY

HENRY KEVIN

MAE BELLE, GRAYCE ANNE, CORA MAE, MEATBALL AND CLAIRE GRAYCE

MERLIN AND MARLEE

REGGIE

SADIE

ZUKO AND SANDY

SMALL-TOWN TASTE

SEPTEMBER MARKS THE 54TH ANNUAL TIPTON COUNTY PORK FESTIVAL

For over 50 years, during the second weekend of September, Tipton swells as thousands of participants enjoy the Tipton County Pork Festival. This year, on September 7 through 9, the close-knit, small town will come together to offer three days of fun, music, food and shopping, plus arts and crafts. It’s a small-town celebration at its best, with legendary mascot Pork Boy, carnival rides, pageants, and not one, but two parades with high school marching bands.

The festival, which kicks off with the first parade on Thursday, is important to the community for several reasons. As one of the oldest events in the state, it’s an Indiana tradition. Multiple generations have enjoyed its unique Hoosier vibe, and babies through great-grandparents are wellentertained.

It supports local businesses and enables nonprofit organizations to raise needed funds. For example, the Tipton Elks Lodge sells breakfast when the festival opens at 11 a.m., and tenderloins later. The Lions Club’s pork chop on a stick is another of the many food vendors on site. Band parents count on money made through parking, as does Tipton First United Methodist Church, with its shuttle service that runs from the high school to downtown.

When asked what brings people back to the festival year after year, Christy Crawford, president of the executive committee, cites the pork chops.

“People come every year for our famous one-inch pork chops - and of course our souvenir T-shirt and sweatshirt with our yearly logo,” she says.

“They also love to visit our

downtown area to shop our local stores, dine at our great restaurants and watch our Grande Parade on Saturday afternoon. There is something for everyone, every day of the festival.”

Old festival traditions continue as new ones are being developed. Those renowned pork chops will come from the Market on Main, and they are prepared in cookers built by resident Kenny Ziegler. All retail stores and restaurants are open during the festival including the Side Street Mall and Tim’s 1.

It is not widely known that the Pork Festival donates money to each high school marching band that participates, to help offset their travel

Writer / Julie Yates Photography Provided

expenses. Many visitors come specifically for the live musicians.

“The concerts this year will feature two bands that are replicas of very popular bands,” Crawford says. “The first one is No Fences, a Garth Brooks tribute band, and second is Crush, a Bon Jovi tribute band.”

Music performances on the stage for both Friday and Saturday start at 6 p.m. Besides the tribute bands, other artists will be Tyler Robling, and Second Chance Band. Paul Phenecie and Convoy will also appear.

“We love to see people enjoying the festival,” says Crawford. “We would love to see both new faces and old faces come to the 54th annual Tipton County Pork Festival this year.”

The address for the festival is 101 East Jefferson Street in Tipton. To learn more, be sure to visit tiptoncountyporkfestival.com.

PUTTING IN THE WORK

WHETHER WITH FAMILY, CAREER OR COMMUNITY, BRIAN BEAR MAKES IT COUNT

Photography Provided

Writer / Julie Yates

Brian Bear has a heart for his hometown of Tipton. Although he lives in Cicero with his wife, Lisa Bear, and their golden retriever, Jake, Bear continues to support Tipton through event sponsorships and donations to nonprofit organizations. He also gives back by mentoring area athletes.

Bear is in his 50s, yet he is an avid athlete. In 2022 he qualified for and ran the Boston Marathon. The famous race is arguably the hardest United States marathon to qualify for. He continues to participate in sprint triathlons and Half IRONMAN competitions, while placing within his age group to go on to local meets. Brian is still a top runner in the area at age 54.

Several Tipton residents influenced him after he began running at age 13. His father, Ray Bear was a runner, and the family attended many running events. At Tipton High School his coaches, Brian Shortridge and the late Jay Whelchel, were mentors. The late Joe Bear, his uncle, and former Tipton High School counselor, was also an inspiration. Bear received a cross-country scholarship to Vincennes University.

Bear gives back by encouraging other runners and IRONMAN athletes. He is glad to share advice on training, diet, and what shoes to wear. A triathlon consists of three parts: swimming, biking and running. Bear has encouraged individuals training for the swimming portion by kayaking alongside them as they swim. In addition, he has

helped organize several 5K runs in nearby communities.

“Brian loved being on the cross-country team at Tipton High School,” says Lisa Bear. “He graduated in 1987 From Tipton. I have heard of many pranks and shenanigans that went on with the team and the team having a great time. Brian stays in contact with many of the Tipton Team members such as Craig Baumgartner, Scott Davis, Matt Dean, Jody Mitchell, Steve Watley, Craig McCormack, Scott Seward and others.

The couple stays connected with the business community of Tipton. As owner and mortgage broker at Main Street Mortgage in Cicero, he continues networking and building business

relationships.

His wife Lisa has been a Real Estate agent for 25 years at Century 21, and currently has listings in Tipton.

“Brian has owned his business for 23 years,” she says. “He is very experienced. He works well with all buyers, especially first-time ones. He is always available on evenings and the weekend.”

Bear continues to volunteer, fundraise and support Tipton. Among other endeavors, he is always sponsoring many Tipton events like the Tipton County Pork Festival and Tipton on Tap. As a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, he will give out free hamburgers and hot dogs during tailgating at this year’s Tipton High School football games.

“Brian does a lot for the community of Tipton,” says Lisa Bear. “He’s an allAmerican guy. He’s very giving.”

Main Street Mortgage is located at 269 West Jackson Street in Cicero. Call 317420-5192 or go to loanswithbrianbear. com to learn more.

For more info on Lisa Stokes-Bear’s Century 21 listings, visit lstokes.agent. c21scheetz.com or call 317-513-4086.

SEPTEMBER CROSSWORD PUZZLE

A Little Store With a Big Heart

DOWN

1. Ozone layer pollutant

2. Break new ground?

3. Alaska resource

4. Roman commoners

5. Casino actions

6. Work-related malady (abbr.)

7. Air quality agcy.

8. Poet Elinor

9. Moth’s temptation

10. Charismatic trait

11. Colored like a certain hound

16. Jacket material

20. Gist

21. Beginning to cry?

22. Barn bundle

23. Bridge toll unit

24. Meadow sound

25. Advanced, in a way

28. Concert array

30. Carpentry tool

31. Create, as a phrase

32. Set aside

35. Hold off

38. Ball center

42. Congressional employees

44. Actress Witherspoon

45. Rush order?

46. City founded by Pizarro

47. Showy bloom

48. “___ go!”

51. Australian ratite

52. Aquatic appendage

53. “On the double!”

54. It may be missed

55. Act proverbially human *Items

50. Respectful submission 56. Horner’s last words 57. Discharge 58. Whiskey cocktail 59. Dance bit 60. Space heaters? 61. Still-life piece

e.g.

Correct, as copy