City of Greenfield wins $20,000 in Indianapolis 500 decoration contest

The city of Greenfield, Ind., is $20,000  richer thanks to receiving a check for that amount from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday.  

Greenfield won the IMS’s “Back Home Again in Indiana” community decoration contest for its demonstration of Indianapolis 500 spirit. The check was presented at the Hancock County Fair.

Greenfield plans to use the winnings to fund two scholarships for local youth interested in automobiles and motorsports. One scholarship will be presented to the Greenfield High School Super Mileage Club, which designs and builds fuel-efficient vehicles.

The other scholarship will assist underprivileged Hancock County youths enrolled in a driving and racing program directed by seven-time Indianapolis 500 driver and Greenfield native Mark Dismore.

A portion of the proceeds will also benefit the Hancock County Boys and Girls Club.

The annual decorating contest challenged communities across Indiana to honor “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” by hosting parades and rallies, as well as decorating town squares and main streets in an Indianapolis 500 theme.

Greenfield stood out amongst the 24 communities that participated in this year’s contest, and 10 were selected as finalists to compete for the prize money.

Greenfield beat out Albion, Angola, Batesville, Bloomfield, Brownsburg, Greensburg, Lake Station, New Haven and Veedersburg to win the $20,000.

Bloomfield and New Haven each received $2,500 for placing second and third, respectively.

The “Back Home in Indiana” program was established to recreate a statewide community outreach effort implemented by Tony Hulman after he purchased the track following World War II. The contest began in 2011 to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500.

All cities and towns in Indiana are eligible to participate in the contest. Participating communities receive benefits from IMS, including tickets to activities surrounding the Indianapolis 500.  

--Joe Popely