KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Several additional lighted state torches are beginning to appear in the area, but according to Paula Bowman, member of the county’s bicentennial committee, Kosciusko County has a long way to go to match what other counties are embracing.

Penguin Point, Warsaw, has purchased a torch that it is rotating between its locations in the county. A torch has appeared at Citgo, Freedom Express in Leesburg and one at Tecomet in Warsaw. Syracuse Community Center also has a torch outside its building at Lakeside Park.

The lighted torch, designed and created by Hermon’s Christmas Wonderland, Pierceton, have been embraced throughout the state. However, Kosciusko County has not seemed to embrace the hometown design. There have only been approximately four 8-foot tall LED lighted torches sold in the county.

The torch is also available as a 5-foot high gloss painted Indiana State torch available as a pole or wall mount, with no lighting. A 15-foot display can be viewed at Hermon’s along US 30.

Towns and individuals, particularly those along the state’s Torch Relay, are being encouraged to purchase the torch display.

The 8-foot torch, ground mount with LED lighting, is $500 with the 5-foot torch, pole or wall mount sells for $250.

The torch has been approved by the Bicentennial Marketplace and can be ordered through the the marketplace or through Herman’s direct by emailing [email protected]