Only 3 days away! Here’s how you can get ready for Eclipse Day
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) - If you are thinking about going out for Eclipse Day, here are some things you should know.
One of the biggest things people should be aware of on the day of the event is traffic and road closures.
Officials with the Downtown Evansville Economic Improvement District say Riverside Drive will be closed from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
They also say Court Street to Walnut will also be closed to traffic.
An event map from the district shows suggested routes people can take to get to the riverfront, businesses that will have booths, and food trucks that will be in the area.
The map also shows available public restrooms and hand washing stations.
Adam Trinkel is the Executive Director of Downtown Evansville’s Economic Improvement District.
He says they’ve been planning for the past year-and-a-half for the solar eclipse to host an event along riverside drive.
However, Trinkel notes beyond the eclipse is another great opportunity.
“Our hope is after the event, or even before the event, that people take advantage of and explore our businesses downtown. We have 40-plus restaurants, 30-plus shops, so it’s a great opportunity,” says Trinkel. “Maybe don’t get in your car right away and wait in the lines on the road. Just go ahead and explore our businesses.”
Moving away from the river, both of our local universities are hosting events.
Noah Alatza is the Chief Communications Officer for the University of Evansville, and he says they’ve invited not only their students and faculty but the surrounding neighborhoods to come enjoy the event.
“We’re going to have face painting, a game zone, a cornhole tournament, anything you can imagine to get our students really engaged is what we’re looking at. Lots of hustle and bustle on campus. We’re really looking forward to it,” says Alatza.
These two realize they’re far from having the only events around, even in town for that matter.
From the Gibson County Fairgrounds to the Monastery of Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, everybody’s getting a piece of that darkness.
Trinkel says he knows they’ve got a prime piece of real estate to work with, and they’re excited to show off Evansville before, during, and after the sun goes dark.
“We recognize there’s a lot of great events in the community, a lot of prime viewing opportunities, but if people are available on Monday, they want to come down and join us, and then it’s a great opportunity to explore our downtown businesses as well.”
You can find that downtown eclipse event map down below.
The Evansville-Vanderburgh Central Dispatch is recommending four things to help attendees feel a little more prepared.
Those tips are:
- Go ahead and fill up your gas tank! This is just in case you get stuck in traffic for an extended amount of time.
- Try and get to the grocery store now or early Saturday. You should stock up on essentials and whatever you might need for kids and pets.
- Refill prescriptions if you can, and if you have to travel anywhere on Eclipse Day, keep some in your vehicle, especially if you have to take medications on a schedule.
- Give yourself ample drive time to get anywhere this weekend, and all day Monday. Drive safely, and be vigilant of other drives. 80,000 visitors are expected to be in the area over the weekend, so everything is going to be busier than normal. Make a plan now to keep you and your family safe.
The Evansville Police Department is also advising people to make sure they have a plan.
[Related Story: ‘Have a plan’: Evansville police provides tips for Eclipse Day]
According to the police department, with the influx of people all over the Tri-State, delays are almost inevitable and even the chance of being gridlocked.
Sgt. Trudy Day says people should plan to be in their Eclipse viewing location well before 2:00 Monday afternoon.
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