HOPE – For almost a year, the town of Hope has been preparing to attract visitors who are coming for the April 8 eclipse.
Community leaders have been talking up different ideas to attract tourists since last August. That was when Hope Town Marshal Matt Tallent spoke about how many visitors came to Hopkinsville, Kentucky for a similar event in 2017.
Last August, Hope officials were told by town manager Jason Eckart to expect a population increase of 160,000 throughout Bartholomew County during the three-day eclipse weekend. With less than four weeks before the event, Main Street of Hope Executive Director Connie Kiviniemi-Baylor says she’s been told to anticipate 3,000 visitors in her community.
“But, you know, there might be 300 people,” Kiviniemi-Baylor said. “We haven’t had this before. So we just don’t know.”
Preparing early did help Hope secure some financial help for their festivities. The northeast Bartholomew County town received a $2,000 micro-grant last fall through the Simons Foundation to support the eclipse activities.
In many ways, the celebration called “Total Eclipse of the Hope” will be similar to the Hope Heritage Days in late September, Kiviniemi-Baylor says.
Food and merchandise vendors will take part, while two bands are booked each day of the three-day event, she said. There will also be a number of games taking place, while retailers and restaurants plan to have extended hours, Kiviniemi-Baylor says.
The Yellow Trail Museum and Visitor Information Center, located on the northwest corner of the town square, will be open on Saturday, April 6, as well as a limited time on Monday, Kiviniemi-Baylor said. The Hope branch of the Bartholomew County Library, located at the northeast corner of the town square, will have arts and crafts projects, she said.
Science teachers from nearby Hauser Jr.-Sr. High School have been invited to explain many of the mysteries associated with this natural phenomenon, she said. Related science projects will be demonstrated such as how to build a homemade eclipse projector with nothing but a cardboard box, a white sheet of paper, tape, scissors and aluminum foil.
With the cooperation of property owners Ben and Tom Miller, Main Street of Hope is offering 20-feet by 40-feet primitive camping sites south of Seminary Street on either side of Union Street, Kiviniemi-Baylor says.
Portalets and washing stations will be available, she said. Each camping site is available for a flat rate of $150, which allows families or friends to camp up to three nights, April 6-8, according to the Main Street website. However, these sites must be reserved and paid for in advance. Contact mainstreetofhope.org /rvcamper-sites to make reservations or for additional information.
