Main Street Gas City, Indiana

10/29/2026

A beautiful and emotional ceremony: A Blue Star Highway marker sign was relocated to Gas City. This sign was placed today at a rededication ceremony held at Hutchins Commons on the Gas City, City Hall Lawn, near the Veterans Memorial.

Indiana's First Blue Star Route: In 1949, the Indiana Legislature passed a bill designating U.S. 40, U.S. 31, and U.S. 24 as the state's very first Blue Star Memorial Highways to honor the men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The markers placed in and near Fort Wayne were dedicated in September 1950.

Over the decades, as highways expand or get rerouted (such as the construction of the newer U.S. 24 bypasses), these historic roadside markers are sometimes taken down and put into storage, in hopes of a possible relocation to nearby parks, veteran facilities, or civic spaces to ensure they remain safe and accessible to the public.

The Route Local Connection: Old alignments of U.S. 24 heading west out of Fort Wayne toward towns like Roanoke and Andrews are still locally referred to or designated as the Blue Star Highway.

This historic Blue Star Highway sign has a new, permanent home. The marker sign has been relocated directly into the heart of town to act as a permanent anchor for Gas City's military tributes:
• New Location: Gas City City Hall Grounds (211 E. Main Street, Gas City, IN).
• The Setting: It is placed to the west of City Hall alongside the beautiful white Veterans Memorial. The marker sign stands proudly amongst Gas City’s several tributes to veterans including the volunteer-built Gas City Veterans Monument sanctuary to the east of City Hall, which features a brick walk path honoring local heroes, military statues, and a historic tank standing sentry.

Blue Star Rededication Ceremony
Thursday, October 29, 2026
1:00 p.m.
Music Prelude - Spike Gaskin

Invocation
Reverend Mark Atkinson

Presentation of Colors
Civil Air Patrol, Mississinewa HS

National Anthem
Sydney Ott, Senior at Mississinewa HS

Pledge of Allegiance
Led by Melisa Green-Price, Twin City Garden Club
Secretary/Treasurer

Welcome
Kathy Vermilion, TGCI Central East District Director

History of the Blue Star Marker
Chris Seal, TGCI Blue Star Chairman

Greetings
Wanda Zahrt, TGCI President

Presentation of Certificates and Unveiling of the Marker
Kathy Vermilion, TGCI Central East District Director
Chris Seal, TGCI Blue Star Chairman
Wanda Zahrt, TGCI President
Bill Rock, Mayor of Gas City

Acceptance of Marker
Bill Rock, Mayor of Gas City

Reception inside City Hall was hosted by
Becky Banks, Twin City Garden Club President

Benedication
Reverend Mark Atkinson

Taps
Spike Gaskin

Retiring of Colors
Civil Air Patrol, Mississinewa HS

10/29/2026

Today at 1pm
City Hall
Veterans Monument

Public invited! It is with GREAT HONOR that we share the following invitation from the Twin City Garden Club:

October 29th at 1:00 PM
Gas City City Hall

Join us for a historic rededication ceremony as Gas City’s Veterans Monument receives an official Blue Star Memorial Sign.

The Gas City Veterans Memorial stands as a profound testament to what a community can achieve when united by a singular, noble purpose. When it was first envisioned and installed, it wasn’t just a construction project; it was a labor of deep love, respect, and tireless work by a dedicated group of local veterans and civilians who refused to let the sacrifices of our service members be forgotten.

The men and community members who came together to build this monument poured immense effort into making it a reality. From clearing the ground and designing the layout on the lawn to carefully setting the permanent brick walk path and statues, every detail required sweat, precision, and coordination. Local volunteers, veterans' organizations, and regional work crews have continually lent their hands to build and maintain the site, ensuring that the craftsmanship matches the weight of the gratitude we hold for our military heroes.

The result of that hard work is an undeniably beautiful sanctuary. With its proud monuments, beautifully maintained green spaces, and a historic tank standing sentry, it blends civic pride with stunning visual tribute. The Brickway walk path bears the names of local individuals who stepped forward in times of war and peace, anchoring the abstract concept of freedom to real, familiar names from our own neighborhoods.

Beyond its beauty, the memorial serves a vital emotional purpose for Gas City. It is a rare, sanctuary-like place specifically designed for people to seek peace, solitude, and quiet reflection. Whether you are a veteran reflecting on your own time in uniform, a family member remembering a loved one, or a citizen pausing to appreciate the cost of your freedom, the atmosphere invites a deep sense of reverence.

It is, above all, a place of immense pride. It shows that Gas City remembers its heroes, stands by their families, and continues to honor their legacy for generations to come.

This event will officially recognize the incredible service and sacrifices of the United States Armed Forces. Please plan to attend to help us honor our community's veterans—your presence is a meaningful way to show our collective gratitude to our service members and their families.

We look forward to seeing you there! 🇺🇸✨

More about the Blue Star Highway sign:
Honoring our heroes…
The National Garden Club’s Blue and Gold Star Memorial Program proudly honors the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Local NGC garden clubs use their horticulture and landscape expertise to design beautiful "living memorial" plantings across the country.

You can find these beautiful spaces at:
• Designated highways
• Veterans’ facilities
• National cemeteries
• Public parks and civic centers

Each location features an installed and dedicated Blue and Gold Star Memorial Marker to serve as a lasting tribute to those who serve.

10/20/2026

🇺🇸 A Note About Our Hometown Hero Banners

As many of you have noticed, our Gas City Electric Department has already begun the massive undertaking of preparing Main Street for the Christmas season. With the Christmas Parade date moved to November 14, the work of installing the Christmas lights along Main Street has to begin earlier than usual.

Because our Hometown Hero Banners are displayed on the same street poles used for the Christmas lights, the banners will need to be taken down on Monday, November 9.

We know this means the banners will be coming down just two days before Veterans Day, and we want our community to know that this does not lessen, in any way, the honor and gratitude we have for the veterans represented on these banners. 🇺🇸

This is simply a matter of timing and logistics. There is no other way for the Electric Department to complete the tremendous amount of work required to get Main Street ready for the Christmas Parade and the festivities of the 5th Annual Let the Lights Shine on Main Street.

The banners will be carefully taken down and placed into storage for the winter, and they will return to Main Street beginning in May. We will also continue accepting orders for new Hometown Hero Banners.

🇺🇸 Our veterans will continue to be honored and remembered throughout our community, especially on Veterans Day.

⭐️ Reminder: Our Veterans Monument is located at City Hall, and we invite everyone to join us for the Blue Star Highway dedication ceremony on October 29 at 1:00 PM at City Hall. Thank you to the Twin City Garden Club for securing this opportunity for Gas City.
We hope you’ll join us as we continue to honor those who have served and sacrificed for our country.

And as we prepare Main Street for the holiday season, we ask for your patience, understanding, and appreciation for our Electric Department workers who are putting in countless hours to make Gas City festive, bright, and beautiful for the Christmas season.

🇺🇸 The banners may come down on November 9, but our gratitude for our veterans never does.

Thank you for your understanding and for continuing to support Main Street Gas City and our wonderful community.

10/17/2026

🎄✨ It’s almost time to LET THE LIGHTS SHINE ON MAIN STREET!

One of the most magical nights of the year is coming back to Gas City, and we couldn’t be more excited!

Join us for the 5th Annual “Let the Lights Shine on Main Street” Christmas Parade on Saturday, November 14th at 5:30 PM!

There’s something so special about seeing our community come together, the streets filled with Christmas lights, smiling faces, and families making memories that last a lifetime. ❤️

Parade Route: The parade will begin at Gas City Park and travel down Main Street to 3rd Street!

Want to be part of the Christmas magic?

We’re inviting our community to get involved! Whether you’d like to participate in the parade or enter one of our holiday contests, we’d love to have you!

👑 Snow King & Queen – For our high school teens!

👑 Little Prince & Princess – For our younger kiddos!

All sign-up forms are NOW AVAILABLE at Gas City Hall! You can also email [email protected] to request forms or learn more.

Whether you’re participating or cheering from the sidelines, we hope you’ll bundle up, bring your family, and join us for a beautiful evening celebrating the Christmas season in Gas City!

Help us spread the holiday cheer by sharing this post and inviting your friends and family! 🎄

10/17/2026

Public invited! It is with GREAT HONOR that we share the following invitation from the Twin City Garden Club:

October 29th at 1:00 PM
Gas City City Hall

Join us for a historic rededication ceremony as Gas City’s Veterans Monument receives an official Blue Star Memorial Sign.

The Gas City Veterans Memorial stands as a profound testament to what a community can achieve when united by a singular, noble purpose. When it was first envisioned and installed, it wasn’t just a construction project; it was a labor of deep love, respect, and tireless work by a dedicated group of local veterans and civilians who refused to let the sacrifices of our service members be forgotten.

The men and community members who came together to build this monument poured immense effort into making it a reality. From clearing the ground and designing the layout on the lawn to carefully setting the permanent brick walk path and statues, every detail required sweat, precision, and coordination. Local volunteers, veterans' organizations, and regional work crews have continually lent their hands to build and maintain the site, ensuring that the craftsmanship matches the weight of the gratitude we hold for our military heroes.

The result of that hard work is an undeniably beautiful sanctuary. With its proud monuments, beautifully maintained green spaces, and a historic tank standing sentry, it blends civic pride with stunning visual tribute. The Brickway walk path bears the names of local individuals who stepped forward in times of war and peace, anchoring the abstract concept of freedom to real, familiar names from our own neighborhoods.

Beyond its beauty, the memorial serves a vital emotional purpose for Gas City. It is a rare, sanctuary-like place specifically designed for people to seek peace, solitude, and quiet reflection. Whether you are a veteran reflecting on your own time in uniform, a family member remembering a loved one, or a citizen pausing to appreciate the cost of your freedom, the atmosphere invites a deep sense of reverence.

It is, above all, a place of immense pride. It shows that Gas City remembers its heroes, stands by their families, and continues to honor their legacy for generations to come.

This event will officially recognize the incredible service and sacrifices of the United States Armed Forces. Please plan to attend to help us honor our community's veterans—your presence is a meaningful way to show our collective gratitude to our service members and their families.

We look forward to seeing you there! 🇺🇸✨

More about the Blue Star Highway sign:
Honoring our heroes…
The National Garden Club’s Blue and Gold Star Memorial Program proudly honors the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Local NGC garden clubs use their horticulture and landscape expertise to design beautiful "living memorial" plantings across the country.

You can find these beautiful spaces at:
• Designated highways
• Veterans’ facilities
• National cemeteries
• Public parks and civic centers

Each location features an installed and dedicated Blue and Gold Star Memorial Marker to serve as a lasting tribute to those who serve.

09/10/2026

Grand Opening Alert! This Saturday, Sept 12th, welcome a brand-new business to Gas City: The Lily Pad Boutique!

This store is the realization of a lifelong dream for owner Jennifer Davis, and she can’t wait to welcome the community.

The boutique specializes in:
•Everyday & seasonal home decor
•Charming outdoor accents
•Adorable baby clothes and gifts

Make plans to stop in, browse the beautiful inventory, and congratulate Jennifer on her exciting new venture!

Bonus Celebration: Stop by early for their official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony this Thursday, Sept 10th at 12:00 PM to enjoy free finger foods and enter a drawing for a free gift!

Location: 313 W. Main Street, Gas City (in the historic former Turning Over a New Leaf building!)

08/25/2026

Honored to support the next generation of runners! We were thrilled to donate $500 to the Mississinewa Cross Country team! This donation is a small token of our massive appreciation for Coach Dustin Jones.

Since 2019, Coach Jones has been the mastermind behind the River Rat Run 5K. He has lent his incredible expertise to develop and design a course that keeps things fast, fun, and fiercely interesting—combining urban paths, track running, and beautiful wooded trails.

This year, he went above and beyond by providing his time and technical skills to electronically time our runners. Main Street Gas City’s River Rat Run truly would not be possible without him.

Coach Jones, thank you for your endless dedication to our community and your team. We are wishing you and the Indians the absolute best of luck this cross country season!

08/24/2026

Attention familes of Hometown Heroes: the last batch of heroes for 2026 are now installed. If you ordered your banner before the cutoff date of June 20th your hero is now on Main Street. Any orders after June 20th will go up in May 2027.

Thank you to our wonderful Street Dept. and the City of Gas City for hanging our heroes with care on Main Street. Without their support…this project is NOT possible.

*Please see the picture captions for the location of the new banners that were installed today.

Still trying to locate your hero?
Call 765-573-4890 —we have a map and can help you locate your loved one.

🙏 Thank you to our wonderful volunteer, Shawn Nieman, who did the work this year to walk the streets and write down the location of every hero. It is thanks to his time and consideration given that we have a map and can help you locate your loved one.

This massive project is not possible without hearts of volunteers. We now have nearly 500 heroes displayed.

100% of proceeds for banner sales after costs go back into our community with a focus on the heart of our city and elevating the quality of life for Gas City residents.

Want to order? We are open for Banner orders for 2027. You can order on our website. Keep in mind that any banners ordered now will not be installed until May 2027. Order online here👉🏻 https://www.mainstreetgascity.com/hometown-heroes

You can also stop in at Mama Pearson's Soaporium to order your banner in person.

Gas City Thanks all of our heroes ❤️ 🇺🇸

08/08/2026

Congratulations to the corn hole champions!
1st place: Off in the Woods (returning champs)
2nd Place : Team Moon
3rd Place: F & S
Tournament ended just in time for more rain.
We packed in a ton of fun before the downpour! We’d like to give special thanks to our VENDORS! All of them are amazing. The band Common Ground - you are phenomenal and such great sports for continuing to play after it stopped raining. We had a wonderful time despite the weather - it wasn’t gonna stop us! Kids had a blast and it was so enjoyable to see all of the smiles. This was the final First Friday for 2026. We will be back next year with more fun. Thanks to our amazing sponsors for their generosity in support of First Fridays❤️