The marquee at the Historic Artcraft Theatre in Franklin advertises its upcoming Solar Eclipse Film Festival, with screenings of classic sci-fi and space-themed movies from Friday to Monday.
RYAN TRARES | DAILY JOURNAL
The time has finally come.
Months, and in many cases years, have gone into planning and preparing for the total solar eclipse on Monday.
Government officials, tourism experts, public safety departments, businesses and local homeowners have all worked together to ensure this unique experience is momentous not only for the thousands of expected visitors, but for Johnson County residents as well.
They’re ready to show off.
“I am feeling very excited heading into eclipse weekend. We have been doing extensive planning and we are confident that we are as prepared as possible,” said Kenneth Kosky, executive director of Festival Country Indiana, the county’s tourism organization. “Now it’s time to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime event with our residents, and to welcome our visitors and show them what makes our communities so great.”
All throughout Johnson County, people were making last-minute preparations for their eclipse plans. Parks officials in Franklin and Greenwood had arranged for the delivery of portable toilets and sinks, put up special eclipse decorations and readied for large-scale festivals for the weekend.
Greenwood mainstays such as Vino Villa, SmockTown Brewery and The Suds have planned special eclipse viewing parties with music, drinks, food and more.
In Edinburgh, artist Chelsie Liberati had spent the past few weeks tracing and painting the mural she designed for the side of Sakura Event Center — which will serve as the centerpiece for the town’s Total Eclipse of the Art event Monday.
On the oversized marquee outside the Historic Artcraft Theatre, bright red letters advertised the planned Solar Eclipse Film Festival, offering five space-themed flicks over the next four days.
“We’ve put together a broad range of films for people to enjoy over the eclipse gathering timeframe to showcase what The Artcraft is about,” said Dave Windisch, marketing director for Franklin Heritage, which operates the Artcraft. “We’re hoping some of our regular patrons take advantage of our tours on that Monday as well as the out-of-town visitors who are looking for a slice of what Franklin has to offer.”
The influx of people has required careful planning at the Artcraft. Staff and volunteers have been busy gathering popcorn, tubs, soda, and other concession items to have on hand so they can have a variety of our normal fare for the expected visitors, Windisch said.
Like so many other businesses and organizations in the county, Artcraft officials have attended numerous meetings to learn about other communities’ experiences during the 2017 total eclipse.
They feel like they’re as ready as they’re going to be, Windisch said.
“Of course, you never know for sure until you’re in it, but I feel we’ve done our work and prep,” he said. “We’ve attended lots of the community discussions and paid attention to other communities that experienced this in 2017. We’ve been gathering supplies. We’ve come up with game plans and plan Bs just in case.”
Much of those preparations have been spearheaded by Kosky and Festival County Indiana. Shortly after the Great North American Eclipse of 2017, he attended a tourism convention to glean what he could from that experience nationwide.
He took advice given to him regarding aspects such as ordering eclipse glasses and helping communities plan events for eclipse weekend. Crucially, he took away how the eclipse could be a boon for businesses of all kinds — advice he’s emphasized over and over ever since.
Local business owners have taken it to heart.
“It has been amazing to see close to 100 restaurants, stores, churches, schools, attractions, farms and others get into the spirit of the eclipse by offering eclipse-themed menus, selling eclipse souvenirs, opening up their parking lots for eclipse viewing, opening their farms for camping, and doing this all on a day when many of them would normally be closed,” Kosky said. “We are glad that there are so many places that residents can go to enjoy a party or visitors can relax where they are welcome.”
Tracy Bohler, owner of Franklin boutique Farm Girl Mercantile, knew as soon as she heard about the potential the eclipse presented she wanted to be part of it.
“Franklin has worked so hard for months if not a couple of years preparing for this weekend. So of course, we are hoping all goes well and Franklin will shine,” she said.
Throughout the weekend, Farm Girl Mercantile will be hosting the Dark Side of the Moon Celebration, featuring Enedinas Tacos Truck serving food while Mallow Run Winery pours drinks all weekend on the front porch. A therapist with Restorative Touch Massage, Paige Stamper, is scheduled to give massages, EA Cookie Co. will have eclipse cookies and Joey Brosnan is booked to sell vintage clothes.
Inside the store, she’s been stocking up on some of customers’ favorite local items, such as salsas, jams, candy and honey — not only because locals love them, but for out-of-towners to take back home with them, she said. Furniture has been moved out of the way to make more room for shoppers.
Spring-themed sweatshirts with the Farm Girl logo are arranged throughout the store, and Bohler has tapped people such as artist Lisa Maynard from Joyful HeArt to create eclipse-themed watercolors.
Another artisan, Eric Robinson with Cause Candles is creating a signature eclipse candle scent.
“I feel like we are as ready as we can be. I don’t think anyone truly knows what to expect as weather will be huge factor here in Indiana,” Bohler said. “This is a huge opportunity for all of us.”
At Possibilities: Home Re-Imagined, owner Christina Fletcher and her staff have been stocking up on eclipse-themed gifts and souvenirs, preparing for additional foot traffic, arranging displays and coordinating with Norma Jean’s Pastries, which moved into the shop in March, to prepare for the crowds.
Though the store had initially planned a special VIP viewing experience on Monday, they decided the logistics of such a big event wouldn’t be best for their customers. So they’ve focused their efforts on creating a memorable time for everyone who stops by.
“We’re excited to welcome both locals and visitors for this incredible celestial event. We’ve been busy creating a selection of fun, eclipse-themed products to enhance the experience for our customers. From decorative soaps to t-shirts and commemorative items, we want to offer something for everyone,” Fletcher said.
While local businesses have been hard at work rolling out a warm welcome for visitors, Kosky has also been communicating with Johnson County hotels as they prepare for the rush of guests.
Many of the local hotels still have rooms available, as he’s learned a good percentage of eclipse enthusiasts plan their trip the week leading up to the event, Kosky said. Festival Country Indiana has shared printed eclipse information for all of the hotels, and he’s heard from them they’re all prepared to offer a good guest experience this weekend, he said.
For both visitors and local residents, Kosky advised people to visit eclipsefestival2024.com for information, frequently asked questions and more. He also encouraged people to stop by the downtown Franklin visitors center for free eclipse glasses leading up to Monday’s event — they’ll be open all weekend and on eclipse day, he said.
After so much anticipation, to see the eclipse just days away seems surreal. But those involved are confident all the work will pay off.
“Really knowing that I’ll never be around to experience this in person, in Franklin, again is pretty eye-opening. This is the only time in our lives to do this, so let’s have fun. Let’s do it right and (make it) memorable. Let’s give the people who have traveled here, and live here, something to tell everyone — ‘yeah, Franklin nailed it,’” Windisch said.
