🌔🌗🌒 Eclipse Mania - This Is It - The Final Countdown! - Extended Weekend Eclipse Edition

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EXTENDED WEEKEND ECLIPSE EDITION 

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🌔🌗🌒 Eclipse Mania - This Is It - The Final Countdown!

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Eclipse Mania - This Is It - The Final Countdown!

There seems to be a gajillion places to see the eclipse - here are a few you might be interested in…

Indianapolis is set to be a hub of activity and excitement for the total solar eclipse on April 8, promising an array of entertainment options. The city, along with Central Indiana, is preparing for an influx of thousands of visitors, with various organizations planning extensive celebrations to mark the event.

Highlighted below are diverse events scheduled in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana in observance of the eclipse day.

Eclipse-related Happenings in Indianapolis:

• Indianapolis Motor Speedway: A special broadcast location, in collaboration with NASA, will feature a symposium on rockets, race cars, STEM careers, and more, including demo laps by Ed Carpenter. This event is a joint effort with Purdue University, running from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 4790 W. 16th St. Entry fees are $20 for grounds access and $300 for Pagoda Club suite access. Tickets available at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway website.

• The Children's Museum of Indianapolis: Offering art projects, an exploration of the science behind the eclipse, giveaways, and activities such as eclipse glasses decorating from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 3000 N. Meridian St. Access is included with museum admission.

• Indiana State Museum: Engage in art and science projects, enjoy DJ sets, explore a solar system model, play with kinetic sand and shadow play, with scientists available for queries, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 650 W. Washington St. Entry is free for members and included with general admission, but registration is required by April 5.

• Newfields: Features DJs, fire performers, food, and live music. Tickets grant museum entry and access to "Dalí Alive" at the Lume, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 4000 Michigan Road. Prices are $34 for the public and $29 for members, with discounts for different age groups.

• Indiana State Fairgrounds: Begins at 9 a.m. and includes live music, food trucks, concessions, and specialty drinks. Admission is $25 per vehicle, accommodating up to eight people, located at 1202 E. 38th St.

• Blackout at the Biergarten: Enjoy live music, dancing, and the debut of Sun King’s new brew, the Path of Totality, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Rathskeller Biergarten, 401 E. Michigan St. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for those 18 and under.

For those not venturing to Indianapolis for the eclipse, additional attractions en route offer a memorable experience.

Eclipse Viewing Events in Hamilton County:

• Conner Prairie: Features talks from experts, music, and dance from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 13400 Allisonville Road in Fishers. Admission is $55 for nonmembers and $40 for members.

• Ruoff Music Center's Total Eclipse Tailgate: Offers live entertainment, food trucks, an inflatable obstacle course, a dance party, and a guest speaker from NASA, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 12880 E. 146th St. in Noblesville. Vehicle admission is $100.

• Moon Market at Strawtown Koteewi Park: A celestial-themed artisan market with educational displays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 12302 Strawtown Ave. in Noblesville. Admission is $5 for county residents and $10 for visitors from other counties. Strawtown Koteewi Park.

Eclipse Viewing Events in Hamilton County:

• Grand Park Sports Complex Eclipse Celebration Indulge in gastronomic delights, refreshing beverages, inflatable attractions, stargazing through telescopes, and a competitive Moon Pie eating marathon. The event unfolds from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the spacious Grand Park Sports Complex located at 19000 Grand Park Blvd., Westfield. Entry fees are set at $25 for standard vehicles and $100 for those parking overnight in campers and RVs. Ensure to secure your tickets in advance via the official website.

• Cool Creek Park Eclipse Gathering Embark on scenic walks, enjoy live performances, engage in craft-making, savor an array of foods, and partake in various fun activities. This event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Cool Creek Park, 2000 E 151st St., Carmel. Admission is priced at $10 for local residents and $15 for visitors from outside the county.

• Civic Square Carmel Eclipse Experience Stay informed with updates from eclipse experts, enjoy food and live music from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at 1 Civic Square, Carmel. Civic Square Carmel.

Hendricks County:

• Beasley's Orchard Eclipse Viewing Settle in with your blankets and chairs at Beasley's Orchard for a day filled with games, live music, a selection of food trucks, and more. Join from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2304 E. Main St., Danville, with an entry fee of $7. Beasley’s Orchard.

• Hendricks Arts Center Social Delight in a mix of entertainment, light snacks, engaging conversations, and a cash bar available at the Hendricks Arts Center's event space and terrace from noon. Located at 200 W. Main St., Plainfield, the entrance fee is $25. Hendricks Live.

• Murphy Aquatic Park Eclipse Fiesta Dive into fun with bounce houses, diverse activities, live music, food trucks, and more from 1-5 p.m. at 753 S. CR 625 E., Avon. Entry is $5, with prior registration needed. Murphy Aquatic Park.

• Lucas Oil Raceway Park Eclipse Race and Viewing Partake in a 5K, dragstrip races, live music, and food from 1-5 p.m. at Lucas Oil Raceway Park, 10267 E. U.S. Highway 136. Lucas Oil Raceway.

• Perry Crossing Shops Military Tribute and Eclipse Viewing Celebrate with military displays, activities, and more from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at 2499 Perry Crossing Way, Plainfield. Perry Crossing Shops.

• Brownsburg Public Library Eclipse Day Engage in STEM activities, face painting, Lego building, and more from 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at 450 S. Jefferson St. Brownsburg Public Library.

Johnson County:

• Mallow Run's Eclipse Festival Feast on offerings from food trucks, enjoy live music, and sample refreshments at 7070 Whiteland Road, Bargersville, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Secure your spot with an early bird vehicle ticket at $75. Mallow Run.

Indianapolis:

• Butler University Holcomb Observatory Celebration Experience the eclipse with telescopes, expert guidance, planetarium shows, music, and food trucks from noon to 4:30 p.m. at 4600 Sunset Ave. Butler University Holcomb Observatory.

• White River State Park Lunacy Festival Join in for food trucks, live music, free yoga sessions, performances by a brass quintet from the Indianapolis Symphony, and relax in a space equipped with chairs and hammocks from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at 801 W. Washington St. White River State Park.

• Indianapolis Eclipse Weekend. IU Indianapolis

Hancock County:

• Depot Street Park Eclipse Festivities Enjoy food trucks, music, cookie decorating, and learn from planetary science experts from noon-6 p.m. at 251 Depot St., Greenfield. Depot Street Park.

Brownsburg Graduate And Future Engineer To Monitor & Photograph Eclipse In Ohio

Olivia Freeman, a Chemical Engineering student at Miami University, has been eagerly preparing for this event for several weeks. She's part of a team collaborating with Talawanda High School, bringing together minds from Miami University. Freeman, hailing from Brownsburg, Indiana, expresses her immense excitement about this unique opportunity, foreseeing it as an unforgettable moment in her life.

Having never witnessed a total solar eclipse before, Freeman is thrilled about the prospect of experiencing it with high-quality equipment, anticipating a memorable event. She and her team, one among 20 nationwide, will convene at Talawanda High School to photograph and monitor the eclipse, awaiting the moment of totality.

The eclipse is scheduled to commence at 1:53 p.m., with the peak moment occurring at 3:08 p.m. in the Oxford region, during which the moon will obscure the sun for a duration of 2 minutes and 51 seconds.

To ensure a safe viewing experience, Miami University has procured 30,000 protective glasses for its community. Distribution points include the Armstrong Student Center in the week leading up to the eclipse and near Upham Hall on the day itself. Additional viewing parties and distribution sites across Oxford and on campus will ensure everyone has a chance to partake safely in this event, as highlighted by Scott Walter and Kailey Costabile from the university's administration.

Highlighting the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), Freeman's involvement stems from her participation in the National Society of Black Engineers, thanks to the encouragement of Keisha Norris and the support from Joanna Hohn from Miami’s College of Engineering and Computing. This project not only shines a light on STEM but also serves as an inspiration, particularly encouraging young women to engage in science.

The project, supported by a grant that allowed the purchase of a telescope, casts a lasting emphasis on STEM, made possible by funding from the National Science Foundation. It aims to facilitate scientific analysis of the sun’s inner corona and includes educational initiatives and the Dynamic Eclipse Broadcast (DEB) Initiative for nationwide participation in solar science.

Freeman aspires to see increased representation of women and minorities in STEM, believing that diverse perspectives enrich the field. She views the eclipse project as a showcase of what passionate individuals can achieve in STEM, emphasizing the blend of enjoyable collaboration and significant scientific contribution to entities like NASA.

Experience the Solar Eclipse in Style at the Race to the Eclipse Event in Hendricks County

Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park is set to be the central hub for eclipse celebrations in Hendricks County on April 8. The event, dubbed "Race to the Eclipse," is open to the public at no charge and promises an array of entertainment including live music, an assortment of food trucks, and various activities coordinated by the local Parks Department.

Highlighting the day will be a unique spectacle as two front-engine dragsters take to the track, racing under the shadow of the total eclipse, a first-of-its-kind endeavor for the venue. Kasey Coler, the General Manager of the raceway, expressed excitement about introducing drag racing into the eclipse event, noting the singularity of combining such a natural phenomenon with the thrill of racing.

In addition to the eclipse viewing and racing, the raceway will also welcome visitors to its campgrounds for a nominal fee and host a 5K run that takes participants along the iconic dragstrip, offering a unique prelude to the eclipse event.

Local officials, including Brownsburg's Community Relations Manager Shelby Abner, underscored the significance of the event for the community, highlighting the opportunity for residents to experience the race track, perhaps for the first time.

Beyond the raceway, Hendricks County will offer various other free and ticketed viewing options, including a military celebration and public library viewing, as well as events at Murphy Aquatic Park, Beasley’s Orchard, and Hendricks Live. With anticipation building, Josh Duke of Visit Hendricks County hinted at the expectation of a large turnout, eager to see the community come together for this celestial celebration.

The first 5,000 attendees at the raceway will be provided with commemorative solar eclipse glasses, ensuring a safe viewing experience. The festivities, starting at 1 p.m. on April 8, are set to make this day a memorable one across Hendricks County.

For all the info - go to Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park

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