More than a dozen of those tied to the 1954 Milan Indians basketball team that won Indiana’s State Basketball Championship plan to be in Milan Saturday, June 2 to sign autographs, field questions from the audience, and meet fans at a wine tasting event. Maris Valainis, who played Jimmy Chitwood in the movie “Hoosiers” is also scheduled to attend. The movie was written by Hoosier Angelo Pizzo after being inspired by the 1954 team, and first hit the screen in 1986.

For the second time this year, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels will visit Pekin.
The first visit was March 3 when Daniels surveyed the damage from the March 2 tornadoes.
This time around, Daniels will celebrate a 182 year Pekin, tradition where he will be Honorary Grand Marshal in the July 4 parade.