06/20/2026
Some of you know what Indiana Beach Amusement & Water Park Resort meant to my grandparents and my mother. They were proud concessionaires who worked hard to help create the memories that so many families still cherish today. For many in our community, Indiana Beach was where summers were spent. For my family, it was also where lessons were learned.
Working at the park alongside my family and the Spackman family was one of my first real introductions to responsibility, customer service, and the value of hard work. It may have seemed like just a summer job at the time, but looking back, those experiences helped shape the person I would become. The pride my family had in their work was something they passed on to me, and it is a pride I still carry today.
That is why standing at Indiana Beach as the Mayor of Monticello during its 100th anniversary celebration was such a meaningful moment. It was a reminder of where I came from, the people who helped shape me, and the generations of families whose stories are connected to this special place.
Joining thousands of guests, state leaders such as Governor Mike Braun, Attorney General Todd Rokita and State Representatives Elect Kendell CulpCulp and Mark J. Genda Indiana State Representative, District 41, local officials, and community members to celebrate this milestone reinforced what many of us have always known: Indiana Beach is much more than an amusement park. It is part of our identity. It is a place where first jobs were earned, first dates were shared, families gathered, and lifelong memories were created. For generations, it has been woven into the fabric of our community.
Owner Gene Staples, who humbly refers to himself as the park’s caretaker, spoke about Indiana Beach as a “time machine.” I can’t think of a better description. For so many of us, a walk through the park instantly brings back memories of our childhood, our families, and simpler times. It connects generations in a way few places can.
As we toured the grounds, I couldn’t help but feel grateful. The park looked beautiful, the staff were welcoming and professional, and the excitement on the faces of guests young and old was a testament to the work being done by Ryan Harrison and the entire Indiana Beach team.
One hundred years is an incredible achievement, but the true legacy of Indiana Beach isn’t measured in years. It’s measured in the millions of memories it has helped create. I am thankful that my family’s story is a small part of that legacy, and I am proud to support an institution that has meant so much to so many.
Congratulations, Indiana Beach. Thank you for a century of memories, and may you continue creating them for generations to come. 🇺🇸🎡❤️
