Spencer Pride is excited to welcome visitors for the upcoming total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. This once-in-a-lifetime event is expected to bring 17,000 visitors to Owen County, which is located right along the path of totality. State and local officials recommend that visitors participating in eclipse festivities “come early and stay late” to minimize traffic conditions. Spencer Pride is proud to offer a host of activities throughout the day that align with those recommendations.
Here are our tips for experiencing this unique event in the most memorable way:
- Arrive early in Spencer on Monday April 8 and join us for our 10 am Eclipse Photography course at the Spencer Pride commUnity center, which is located in historic downtown Spencer. Spencer Pride will provide lens filters while supplies last.
- Shop at the Spencer Pride commUnity center, which features a variety of merchandise from local and/or LGBTQ+ owned businesses. We also have a popular resale area, including an assortment of art. While at the center, be one of the first people to collect the 5 commemorative smashed pennies, each featuring a special location in Spencer. The smashed penny machine is the first of its kind in Owen County and will be installed just in time for the eclipse. While at the center, also purchase tickets for our unique eclipse quilt raffle. Tickets are $5 each or 6 for $25. The Spencer Pride commUnity center will be open from 9:30 AM until 8:30 PM.
- For lunch, head over to enjoy the local food vendors or downtown establishments such as Civilian Brewing Corps. and Main Street Coffee, who will be open special hours for the eclipse.
- Return to the commUnity center at 1 pm for Spencer, Indiana: A History Lesson.
- Partake in the moment of a lifetime, the total eclipse of the sun, from outside our center or in our indoor- eclipse viewing room. Totality takes place just after 3 PM and will last for 4 minutes and 1 second. Free solar glasses will be distributed by Spencer Pride throughout the day, while supplies last. Lightsound, a solar eclipse sonification device, will be utilized to enable accessibility for those who are blind/low-vision.
- When the eclipse ends, don’t depart with the crowds! Instead, stick around for our 7 pm Solar Eclipse Drag Show, which will be held at the historic Tivoli Theatre just one block from the Spencer Pride commUnity center. The all-ages show is free and will be hosted by Pat Yo Weave.
All of the events hosted by Spencer Pride are free, all-ages, and all-abilities. The festivities are funded in part by the Simons Foundation and the IU Center for Rural Engagement.
Spencer Pride is coordinating efforts with Spencer Main Street and the Owen County Chamber of Commerce for the eclipse-related activities. Many other activities are taking place the weekend prior to the eclipse and on April 8. For a complete list of activities in Spencer, visit https://www.go-owen.com/2024eclipse.
