An event as momentous as the April 8 total solar eclipse deserves a celebration equally as epic.
And Franklin planners have put together a days-long festival that lives up to the occasion.
“Franklin is definitely, not only in the center of totality, but the center of activity,” said Kenneth Kosky, executive director of Festival Country Indiana, the county’s tourism organization.
Rock concerts, road races and hot air balloon rides are all planned over three days, starting on April 6. People can shop for unique souvenirs at a “eclipse market,” and learn about the science of what’s coming with a presentation by a NASA official.
Food vendors, a beer and wine garden and oversized yard games will be set up around the DriveHubler.com Amphitheater at Youngs Creek Park.
“It’s like no event I’ve ever planned since I’ve been here,” said Holly Johnston, special events coordinator for Franklin Parks and Recreation. “It’s kind of like our Super Bowl, so we just hope everybody who lives here comes out and enjoys it, and people visiting here come out and enjoy it. And I hope they love Franklin so much they come back.”
The first tangible signs of the coming festival arrived this week. Throughout Monday morning and afternoon, Franklin parks officials worked with contractors on setting up portable toilets and hand-washing stations throughout the downtown area.
With officials anticipating hundreds and even thousands of additional people to come to the city for the eclipse, they wanted to be more than prepared heading into the festival.
Though residents are just now seeing the start of the festival set-up, preparations for the eclipse event have been ongoing for about two years now.
“We’ve been meeting with police, fire, parks, (department of public works), street department, so we feel like we have our plan in place,” Johnston said. “Of course, we have a written plan, and we know that plan can go awry at any time. It’s all hands on deck for this.”
To kick off the official eclipse weekend, a group of Leadership Johnson County students worked with the parks department to plan the Run for the Sun Eclipse Festival 5K. Money generated from the eclipse-themed race will go towards helping area families move into their first home through Habitat for Humanity of Johnson County.
“When we recognized the eclipse was happening in April, and thought it would be a perfect time for a race. We were just thrilled to have the opportunity to bring people of all ages and all abilities together to get out, be active and really kick-off the weekend,” said Bryana Schreiber, one of the race organizers.
Throughout the day on April 6, visitors can enjoy food and beverages in the beer and wine garden sponsored by Cornett Roofing. Yard games will be set up as people pass the time between the festival and the variety of activities and events organized by local businesses.
Franklin’s summer concert series launches that evening with a show by My Yellow Rickshaw.
“We knew we wanted a three-day festival, and we knew we wanted it to be free for people,” Johnston said. “Then we just wanted to have a variety of activities for people.”
The schedule on April 7 features more of the same, with food vendors and the beer and wine garden open throughout the day. An eclipse market ensures people can pick up all of the souvenirs and eclipse merchandise they can carry, while a photo booth will let people take home a photographic memory of the festival.
But organizers also wanted to tie into the celestial theme of the weekend, Johnston said. They’ve enlisted the Indiana Astronomical Society to host a telescope star-viewing party in the evening.
People can also take to the skies themselves with tethered hot air balloon rides for $10 per person.
“We’re trying to do all things ‘sky.’ Even thought it’s not an eclipse thing necessarily, you’re going up in the sky,” Johnston said.
Everything leads up to day of the eclipse itself. Starting in the morning of April 8, organizers have planned a DJ, food vendors, kids activities and free face painting. A speaker from NASA will answer questions and give the scientific background for the eclipse.
Visitors can count down to the start of the partial eclipse, until reaching totality shortly after 3:05 p.m.
“It’s all going to a fun family time,” Johnston said.
While the festival will be the draw that gives residents and visitors a bounty of entertainment options throughout the weekend, Franklin businesses have also had an overwhelming response to the coming eclipse.
For example, Possibilities: Home Re-Imagined will host an “eclipse oasis,” offering exclusive perks such as VIP viewing, merchandise, food, private restrooms, an eclipse photography class and a themed artisan market.
Main & Madison Market Cafe has planned four days of events, including private VIP parties, as well as public activities such as Kosmic Karaoke, food and cocktails, trivia and henna tattoos.
Farm Girl Mercantile is bringing in food from Enedinas Taco Truck, wine from Mallow Run Winery, and staff from Restorative Touch Massage available, as well as giving away eclipse glasses all weekend.
“Of all of the cities and towns in Johnson County, it seems like Franklin is probably seeing the most participation,” Kosky said. “What is really neat is that the businesses and restaurants are all getting on board, with themed menus and a wide variety of souvenirs in the shops.”
Organizers are asking people to be patient, as the influx of people will likely create some headaches along the way. Internet access might be strained, so Johnston encouraged people to bring cash for food and drink during the day.
“We don’t know what the internet signal is going to be like, so make sure you have cash, just in case you want to purchase something and it goes down, at least you have cash,” she said. “But we think it’s going to be good.”
IF YOU GO
Franklin Eclipse Festival
April 6
10 a.m.-noon: Run for the Sun Eclipse Festival 5K hosted by Leadership Johnson County
2-8 p.m.: Food vendors, Cornett Roofing beer & wine garden, yard games
5-8 p.m.: My Yellow Rickshaw concert
April 7
2-9:30 p.m.: Food vendors, Cornett Roofing beer & wine garden, yard games, eclipse market
3-7 p.m.: Photo booth
5-9 p.m.: Telescope star viewing with the Indiana Astronomical Society
5:30-8:30 p.m.: Karaoke
6:30-9:30 p.m.: Hot air balloon
April 8
11 a.m.-6 p.m.: DJ, food vendors, eclipse market
11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Kids activities, speaker from NASA
Noon-5 p.m.: Free face painting
1 p.m.: Countdown to the eclipse
1:50 p.m.: Beginning of partial eclipse
3:05:46-3:09:48 p.m.: Totality
3:09:49-4:23 p.m.: End of partial eclipse
4:24-6 p.m.: Celebration continues
