GREENFIELD — Though it’s too early to tell the exact forecast, it’s likely that the Super Bowl celebrators will have to brave at least some degree of cold, Indiana winter weather.
So it’s a good thing James Whitcomb Riley has his “super scarf” on. Or at least he will.
The statue of Greenfield’s famous son will be ceremoniously wrapped with one of the more than 8,000 blue and white knit scarves created for Super Bowl volunteers and hospitality workers at 2 p.m. on Thursday, marking the official beginning of Greenfield’s Super Celebration activities.
Riley will get his scarf, the Greenfield Community Choir will sing and all will retire to the warmth of the Creative Arts and Events Center to enjoy Super Bowl XLVI’s official drink – hot chocolate.
“The thought was, ‘Where else can we put a scarf that will be pretty impactful and get everyone in on the whole theme of things?’” explained Super Celebration committee member Retta Livengood.
So far, the theme of Greenfield’s plans has been getting the local community involved and invested in the event. Organizers hope that if Hancock County’s residents feel like they’ve had a hand in the preparation, they’ll be more likely to participate in Super Celebration Site activities and feel they were a real part of Indianapolis’ first Super Bowl.
“We just want to give everybody a chance to touch a part of the whole event,” Livengood said.
And almost surprisingly so, many people have jumped at the chance.
When the committee called for community members to decorate blank football helmets to be placed throughout town, they flew out of the Livengood’s office almost faster than she could get them.
When the committee asked for local businesses to sponsor planters for each NFL team to line the streets downtown, many jumped to claim their favorite team. The flags for every team are already flying downtown and just a few – including AFC champs the New England Patriots – are left to be sponsored and have their planters decorated.
When the committee asked for volunteers to ride buses downtown and man welcome tables within the hotels, dozens of community members stepped up. At a volunteer training session Tuesday afternoon, nearly three dozen people showed up and the committee has just a few spots left to fill.
But it isn’t just the number of community members that have gotten involved that make the local effort special – it’s the variety.
Local students have made cards for welcome packages that will be distributed to hotel guests. Hancock County Office Professionals purchased all of the NFL flags for downtown. And the helmets – well they’ve been decorated by tattoo artists, high school teachers and even 90-year-old women.
“They just set them down in front of us,” said Georgia Lain, 90. Lain is a resident at Springhurst Health Campus, an assisted living center on Greenfield’s west side. She and six other residents decked out painted helmets in ribbons and fake flowers as part of their craft session one day.
Ranging in age from 78 to 97, “the girls” as Springhurst activity director Jody Willis calls them, were not afraid to put flowers on football helmets, or put football helmets on themselves.
“We have an adventuresome group,” Willis laughed.
All of the helmets will be on display around Greenfield starting next week – as more Super Bowl events ramp up. Several local restaurants will begin offering specials next week and events are planned every day and night beginning next Thursday, Feb. 2.