IN The Community

onya Chastain is gearing up to showcase Eclipse Over Lawrence County, an event filled with fun activities and entertainment. Happening from Friday through Monday, everyone, including visitors and locals, is welcome to join in the excitement.

Astronaut Charles D. Walker, a Bedford native, will be a special guest at the event. At 11 a.m. Saturday at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds in Bedford, he’ll share insights from his career and discuss scientific eclipse facts. As a Purdue University graduate, Walker flew on three NASA space shuttle missions in the 1980s, making him a hero in his home state of Indiana.

Walker’s presentation promises to be a fascinating addition to the Eclipse Over Lawrence County event, offering attendees a chance to learn from a true space explorer.

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he Indianapolis Indians are embracing the solar eclipse with special items for fans. It comes as opening week aligns with the weekend of the celestial sight.

The Triple-A side’s first home stand started with cold and wet weather. They split a pair of games

Tuesday and Thursday against the Memphis Redbirds.

Wednesday’s game was rained out, team officials announced it would be made up as a doubleheader on Saturday.

Communications Director Cheyne Reiter says there’s a lot to look forward to this season.

“Paul Skeens the number one overall pick in last year’s Major League draft, he’s starting for the Indians [Friday],” Reiter said. “Come out, it won’t be warm but he’ll light up the radar gun [with his] 100-plus mile-an-hour fastball.”

Starting Friday, the team will hand out solar eclipse glasses and debut a new city jersey.

Then, the first 1,000 fans on Saturday will get a special glow-in-dark eclipsed-themed shirt. Meanwhile, on Sunday, the first 1,000 young fans will get a sun moon, and earth juggling set.

Reiter says the Indians are hoping to use the cosmic alignment to gain new fans.

“It’s not happening again where we’re in the path of totality for a total solar eclipse until 2153,” Reiter said. “Unfortunately, none of us are going to be around that one. It’s just a chance for people to experience Indianapolis, experience the eclipse.”

Victory Field isn’t hosting a viewing party on Monday, but the parking lot will be open for paid parking. Team officials encourage downtown visitors to go to the free event, Lunacy at White River State Park.

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The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is inviting families for a day filled with excitement, learning, and unforgettable experiences to celebrate the solar eclipse.

The museum is planning a lineup of activities, specially curated to ignite curiosity and spark wonder in visitors of all ages.

It all starts the weekend of the eclipse, April 6-7.

NASA scientists will dive into the mysteries of space with space telescope experts and embark on an adventure of cleanliness in space.

Plus, do not miss the exhilarating Sound and Light Show, “CAPCOM Go!” in the Schaefer Planetarium and Space Object Theater, followed by a Mission Control workshop where families can experience the thrill of a space mission simulation and view an actual control board used during several missions. 

Then on the big day of the eclipse itself, Monday, April 8, gear up for an unforgettable experience as the museum provides free solar eclipse viewing glasses to all visitors and offers interactive STEM activities.

Dive into eclipse-themed art projects, explore mythological explanations for eclipses in different cultures and discover the science behind the celestial spectacle.

All Eclipse Extravaganza activities are free for members and included with regular paid admission to the Museum.

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Public safety officials on Thursday said planning and patience will be key to ensuring everyone’s safety throughout Monday’s eclipse festivities.

Officials said they expect at least 100,000 visitors at more than 60 eclipse events throughout central Indiana. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Senior Vice President Allison Melangton said 80% of the people who have bought tickets to IMS’ eclipse festivities were not in IMS’ ticket system, meaning they have never attended a race, and likely have never been to the track before.

To deal with the influx of visitors, IMPD and Indiana State Police officials both said they have called in all available personnel. IMPD Chief Chris Bailey said officers will be dispersed throughout the eclipse festivities ahead of time on foot, bicycles, and ATVs. He said dispersing officers will ensure they are in a better position to respond to any emergencies. Bailey said officers will use drones and mobile cameras to get a better view of the crowds. The city will also activate its emergency operations center.

State troopers will focus on the highways. ISP Capt. Ron Galaviz told News 8 troopers will not close roads unless they have to. He said drivers should avoid stopping on any road during the eclipse, especially the interstates.

“We need to be mobile and to be able to respond as quickly as we can to not only calls for service but other types of things we normally see on the interstates,” he said.

Galaviz said he recommends travelers consult INDOT’s TrafficWise map so they can spot backups ahead of time.

Bailey said drivers should plan to arrive at their eclipse event early and stay late to avoid the worst backups. In addition, Bailey said everyone should make sure they have a full tank of gas and a good supply of food, water, and medicine.

“What we found from Nashville [during the 2017 eclipse] was that people were waiting in traffic six to eight hours, some of them longer, and they did not have enough fuel in their car, and their cars were running out of gas,” Bailey said. “That takes emergency services away to come and respond to that particular issue.”

Bailey said people can text ECLIPSEINDY to 67283 to get public safety alerts. He said the number will only send out alerts that are related to eclipse activities, and will be deactivated once the festivities are over.

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Looking for something fun to do this weekend? You’re in the right place! WISH-TV Events manager, Allan Haw, has a calendar full of things for you to do! Here’s what’s happening for the weekend of Friday, April 5 through Sunday, April 7, 2024. This week: Shining a light on the eclipse and more from the WISH-TV Community Calendar! Let’s make it a great weekend and find out what’s going on “IN the Community”!

Events mentioned in this episode:

Total Solar Eclipse Celebration

April 8, 10:00a-7:00p

Indiana State Museum

650 W Washington St

Indianapolis, IN

The Historic Artcraft Theater Solar Eclipse Festival

April 05 - April 08, 2:00pm-9:00pm

The Historic Artcraft Theatre

57 N. Main St

Franklin, IN

Garment Factory Events Eclipse Weekend

April 05 - April 08, 4:30pm-6:00pm

Garment Factory Events

101 E. Wayne St

Franklin, IN

Eclipse Weekend

April 06 - April 07, 10:00am-5:00pm

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

3000 North Meridian Street

Indianapolis, IN

Solar Eclipse Preview Day

April 06, 10:00am-4:00pm

Wonderlab

308 W. 4th Street

Bloomington, IN

2024 Total Solar Eclipse at IMS presented by Purdue University

April 08, 10:00am-4:00pm

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

4790 W 16th St

Indianapolis, IN

Conner Prairie Eclipse

April 08, 10:00am-5:00pm

Conner Prairie

13400 Allisonville Rd.

Fishers, IN

Total Eclipse Tailgate

April 08, 10:00am

Ruoff Music Center

12880 E. 146th St

Noblesville, IN

Voter Registration

April 05, 2:30pm-3:30pm

Indianapolis Public Library Garfield Park

2502 Shelby Street

Indianapolis, IN

Kegs & Eggs Craft Beer Fest + Adult Easter Egg Hunt 2024

April 06, 1:00pm-5:00pm

Murphy Aquatic Park

753 South County Road 625 East, Avon, 46123

Indianapolis, IN

Magic City Brewfest: Muncie

April 06, 2:00pm-6:00pm

Cornerstone Center for the Arts

520 E. Main St

Muncie, IN

Circle City Orchestra Spring Concert

April 07, 4:15pm-5:30pm

IndyFringe Basile Theatre

719 E. St. Clair Street

Indianapolis, IN

WISH-TV Community Calendar

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Eclipse viewers looking for amazing views and something to do for the total solar eclipse on Monday can go to The Rooftop Garden in Fountain Square for an out-of-this-world party.

They will be sticking to the eclipse theme with special Upland Brewing beers as well as a Black out Tito’s Lemonade cocktail.

This event will happen rain or shine at 1 p.m. Monday. Visitors can enjoy it outside on the roof or indoors in the duckpin bowling area or, later on, at Imbibe. At the bar, visitors can enjoy pool, arcade games, pingpong and good food into the night. Visitors also can avoid eclipse traffic and buy a room at the Fountainview Inn, which is attached to the same building.

Tickets and more information is available online.

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Officials at the Indianapolis Zoo are preparing for big crowds for the total solar eclipse. But not only are they expecting large crowds, they’re also expecting some activity from the animals, too.

The zoo says on its website that primates have been heard sending calls during the eclipse, and chimpanzees might take a moment to watch the sky.

Zoo educators will be on hand this weekend during xZOOberance at the Zoo. They will teach guests about safe eclipse viewing—and how you can get involved in helping scientists track animal behavior.

Event parking is $30 and free for zoo members. Traffic in Indianapolis and around the Zoo is expected to be heavy on Monday. Officials recommend visitors park before 10 a.m.

The zoo will have extended hours on Monday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. They’ll give guests a special pair of glasses to watch the once-in-a-lifetime event.

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As the total solar eclipse, occurring across Mexico, the United States and Canada on April 8, draws near, experts are reminding spectators to grab a pair of eclipse glasses to view the celestial event safely — and to make sure they aren’t fake.

Counterfeit eclipse glasses are “polluting the marketplace,” according to a release shared by the American Astronomical Society, or AAS.

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April 8 will be a generational event for Hoosiers. A total solar eclipse will grace our skies in the mid-afternoon. That leaves many asking: what is the full timing of the total solar eclipse?

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There are now 14 days until the highly anticipated solar eclipse, but before you get ready to watch the event, WISH-TV is getting you ready with important information surrounding your health. Dr. Virginia Caine, director and chief medical officer for the Marion County Public Health Department, joined News 8 anchor Dakarai Turner to help guide Hoosiers on how to enjoy the event safely and responsibly.

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