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“ We have scheduled programs and activities for all ages, ranging from a solar eclipse themed storytime for preschoolers and a hands-on eclipse focused STEM learning program.” Snyder said.
The library will be closed the day of the eclipse. However, the library rented a portable toilet which will be available in the lower parking lot April 8. Brown County schools will be closed that day. Kamady Lewis, executive director of the Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said visitors who do not already have lodging reservations should expect to see all places booked, and restaurants are prepared for big crowds.
“ We’ ve prepared for this really fun and exciting day.”
The eclipse may be the biggest tourist event for April in Brown County in recent years, and merchants are preparing for it as if it were a busy weekend in October.
“ If any county is prepared for it, it’ s Brown County,” she said, given the fall tourism experience, and the work organizations and officials have put into planning.
She has sent tourism packets to people planning to travel here for the eclipse from as far away as Utah and Arizona, as well as international requests. For some, Brown County may not have been on their radar had it not been in the path of the eclipse.
“ We’ re hopeful they’ ll come back when we’ re not so busy,” she said.
At Brown County State Park, all campgrounds, as well as all rooms at Abe Martin Lodge, were reserved by early February.
Ginger Murphy, deputy director for stewardship for Indiana State Parks, suggested Brown County residents may want to stay home and watch it from their backyards, avoiding the anticipated traffic jams. Park gates will open at 7 a. m. April 8, and gate
fees will be charged as normal until all parking spaces are filled. She said the park is working with conservation officers, volunteers, and staff members to make sure it is a safe experience. Fresh gravel has been put in vista parking sites in preparation for the day. Restrooms will be open, and wristbands will be available for parents wanting to put them on children in case they become separated.
Eclipse glasses will be sold at the park office and the Abe Martin Lodge on days leading up to the eclipse, and on April 8 if any are still available. She cautioned to make sure glasses are ISO certified and purchased from a reputable dealer, since during the last major eclipse, some glasses sold were improperly labeled as certified when they were not. Murphy recommended checking the American Astronomical Society’ s website for a list of dependable suppliers.
Interpretative naturalist Eli Major will conduct programs in the weeks leading up to the eclipse, and will be at the park to answer questions on April 8.
One of the advantages of viewing the eclipse at the state park will be to observe changes in wildlife behavior during the totality.
“ It will be like sunset for wildlife,” Murphy said. Birds will begin to roost for the night, and insects and other animals will become confused.
Murphy, like many others, is hoping for clear skies and good weather on April 8. She said there is about a 70 percent chance of cloud coverage for early April in Indiana. But even with cloudy skies, viewers can experience the sudden darkness and note natural changes.
Many Brown County organizations or businesses are offering special events, camping or viewing spots before, during, and after the eclipse. •
18 Our Brown County • March / April 2024