The 2012 Indiana Gridiron Dinner, sponsored by the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute, is a new iteration of a very old Indiana political tradition. The dinner will take place Feb. 22 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.

Many of you probably recall the Gridirons sponsored by the Indianapolis Press Club years ago. These laugh-fests were the social highlight of many sessions. The best lines were repeated for days, and the hallways reverberated with laughter at the recollection of the powerful being verbally skewered in good-natured fun in the spirit of bi-partisanship. It’s been nearly a decade since the Gridiron was included on the social calendar.

But now it’s back and better than ever with Gov. Mitch Daniels headlining a cast that includes a previous governor and the state’s next governor. Speaker Brian Bosma will join Gov. Joe Kernan as roastmasters with Mike Pence, John Gregg, Jim Wallace and Rupert Boneham on the spit. There will be plenty of surprises packed into a tight show like you’ve never seen before.

We are no longer accepting online reservations for tickets for this year’s event. You may still contact us about reserving a seat by e-mailing Paula Carey at pcarey@indianafiscal.org.

If you’ve already got your ticket, doors open on Feb. 22 at 5:30 p.m. Dinner (not rubber chicken!) starts at 6:30 p.m., and the show everyone will be talking about is at 7:15 p.m.