Tyndall
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The event of the century — the total solar eclipse — is happening April 8, and Franklin and the surrounding communities are smack dab in the middle of totality.
There hasn’t been a total eclipse in Indiana since 1869, and it won’t happen again until the year 2153. Eclipse viewing parties, concerts, eclipse markets, hot air balloon rides, and more will be happening all weekend long from April 6 to 8.
Festival Country, the official tourism organization for Johnson County, has compiled all the eclipse events at eclipsefestival2024.com. Festival Country is also giving away free ISO (International Organization Standardization) certified eclipse glasses at their visitor center at 66 S. Water St. in Franklin.
The eclipse is from 1:50 to 4:23 p.m. on April 8, with totality from approximately 3:05:52 to 3:09:54 p.m. (all times are Eastern time). Solar eclipse glasses must be worn during the partial eclipse, but people can safely look up at the eclipse without eclipse glasses during the four minutes of totality.
In addition to the glasses, the visitor center also has eclipse merchandise such as posters, postcards and long- and short-sleeve T-shirts for adults and kids.
Other than wearing proper eye protection, the only other important part is to have fun while waiting for and watching the eclipse. People who have traveled to other parts of the world to see eclipses say they are memorable experiences, and sharing it with others at an event makes the experience even more exciting (kind of like watching a movie premier at a theater). There will be plenty of interactive activities and entertainment the entire weekend leading up to and during the eclipse. Here are some events happening that you can attend:
The DriveHubler.com Amphitheater, located at 237 W. Monroe St. in Franklin, will have live music, food trucks, hot air balloons, a 5K race, a beer and wine garden, an eclipse market and more April 6, 7 and 8.
There will be a pre-celebration Eclipse Handmade Market at Take Root Country Store with 40 handmade vendors with some one-of-a-kind eclipse souvenirs and treats April 6 and 7 at 202 N. Madison Ave., Greenwood. There will also be free parking and a shuttle available.
Johnson County Park is hosting a three-day bash that will include a DJ, yard games, a kid’s area, food and beer vendors, an adult Easter egg hunt and live music located at 2949 E. North St., Nineveh. In addition, the park is taking camping reservations.
BOLDAviation at Indy South Greenwood Airport (965 Airport Access Dr.) is hosting a fly-in or drive-in with numerous food trucks, live music, other entertainment, and airplanes on display April 8.
Taxman Brewing Company is partnering with NASA and Southern Illinois University to host a viewing party with telescopes for up-close viewing of the eclipse along with free eclipse glasses. In addition to the eclipse viewing, Taxman Brewing Co. will launch two limited-edition beers named Totality and In the Black. The event is from noon to 10 p.m. April 8 on 13 S. Baldwin St., Bargersville.
Come to The Sycamore at Mallow Run for live music from The Doo! from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., food truck eats from The Lonely Monkey, refreshments from The Sycamore Bar and up to four eclipse glasses per car.
Come to the John R. Drybread Community Center, 100 East Main Cross St., Edinburgh from noon to 5 p.m. on April 8 for Total Eclipse of the Art, featuring eclipse viewing, chalk art, music, handcrafted items and a community mural event.
Kelsay Farms on 6848 N. 250 East, Whiteland is providing parking from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on April 8 and people can also reserve a primitive camping spot on April 7. Porta-potties, hand-washing stations, concessions, and charging stations will be available.
The Historic Artcraft Theatre will feature films focusing on sci-fi, space and the eclipse on April 5 through 8 of eclipse weekend.
Besides the electrifying events happening throughout our communities, there will also be plenty of opportunities on April 8 for eclipse viewing in open public areas where there will be bathrooms, free eclipse glasses, food trucks, reserved parking spaces and more. Visit eclipsefestival2024.com for a complete list, as well as answers to frequently asked questions about the eclipse.
Don’t miss out on the party of the century where you can experience more than four minutes of totality (the longest duration of totality in the world) just south of Indy.
Taylor Tyndall is public relations and events manager at Festival Country Indiana. She is contributing a regular column for the Daily Journal. Send comments to [email protected].
