With only six months away from what will likely be one of Seymour’s biggest events in history, the 2024 solar eclipse planning committee continues to make progress on how it plans to handle an influx in population.

Jackson County is in the path of totality for the April 8, 2024, solar eclipse. The county and other parts of Indiana, the United States, Mexico and Canada will be in complete darkness for up to 4 minutes as the moon shadows the sun. The next time Indiana will fall in the path of totality of a solar eclipse will be in 2099.

Local tourism and emergency agencies are being told to plan ahead and to expect triple the population during the weekend of the eclipse.

During a recent solar eclipse planning meeting, the committee, made up of community leaders and personnel, discussed the progress they have made on securing education activities for the Solar Eclipse Festival that will be held on April 7 in downtown Seymour from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., gave updates on viewing sites and a map and addressed concerns.

January Rutherford, public information specialist for the city, led the meeting.

Rutherford started by unveiling new solar eclipse glasses that visitors will be able to pick up at the festival and other viewing sites for free. The glasses were paid for by the city and the Jackson County Visitor Center.

According to The Planetary Society, the lenses of solar eclipse glasses are made of black polymer, or resin infused with carbon particles, that blocks nearly all visible, infrared and ultraviolet light that normal sunglasses do not.

As of right now, total funding that has been raised for the Solar Eclipse Festival is $8,400, and the committee is still looking for more sponsorships.

Rutherford said WDRB will be doing a live broadcast of the eclipse in the area during the day and precoverage of the eclipse.

The festival has a lineup of both education speakers and musical acts to keep residents and visitors entertained the day before the solar eclipse.

Keynote speaker Mike Weasner, a former Seymour resident, will be speaking on his career in astrophysics as well as offer a book signing of his autobiography “Finding My Way to the Stars” at the Seymour Museum Center after his presentation.

WTHR meteorologist Kelly Greene will speak about the weather and solar eclipses, Louisville Astronomical Society will talk about amateur astronomy as a hobby and how to get started and Forrest Willey will have an astrophotography exhibit on display at the Seymour Museum Center.

Dave Schulz, a Seymour native and SpaceX employee, will possibly speak on his career in space science.

As for music, American Fools, Poets and Politicians, Here’s to Ya and Southern Indiana Taiko Drums are set to perform at Crossroads Community Park during the festival.

A kids corner filled with education activities will also be organized by the local Boys & Girls Club.

Rutherford said the committee is still taking food and craft vendor applications. They are available at Seymour City Hall, 301-309 N. Chestnut St., or by emailing [email protected]. Applications are being accepted through Dec. 1, and space is limited.

Colin Smith and Victoria Taylor with Freeman Municipal Airport also created a map showing all viewing sites in the city for people to view the eclipse as well as parking areas and routes in and out of Seymour. The map can be viewed online at seymoureclipse.com.

During the meeting, many community leaders expressed concerns on the increase in population traveling through the county during that weekend. Some have expressed concerns of gas stations running out of fuel and grocery stores running out of food.

Duane Davis, director of the Jackson County Emergency Management Agency, said he plans to do a tabletop exercise with the emergency service group on different scenarios that could occur.

The committee also discussed uploading an eclipse toolkit that will include helpful tips for those to consider while traveling and staying safe.

The committee also discussed cellphone towers being bogged down during the time of the eclipse and suggested acquiring radios or walkie-talkies.

Davis said the issue with a radio is that those systems also will be heavily trafficked by emergency personnel, Indiana Department of Transportation and all Department of Natural Resource properties.

Davis said the option for applying to receive a temporary cellphone tower is unlikely due to other counties grabbing for similar resources.

“What resources we have in the county is probably all we are going to get because there are others vying for the same,” Davis said.

Currently, spots for camping and lodging in the county are filling up fast, as Starve Hollow State Recreation Area in Vallonia reported 62% of its cabins are booked.

Lastly, Davis said he has been in talks with Schneck Medical Center in Seymour about possibly setting up a site in Brownstown for people to visit for minor injuries.

The next committee meeting is planned for 2 p.m. Nov. 17 at Seymour City Hall.