DANVILLE, IN (January 9, 2024) – Five Hendricks County organizations were awarded more than $10,000 in grant money recently through the one-time Visit Hendricks County’s Total Solar Eclipse Grant Program.
On April 8, 2024, Hendricks County will experience its first total solar eclipse since 1869 with the path of totality passing through our county for more than three minutes. Locals and visitors will be searching for things to do and places to experience this astronomical phenomenon. In part, through these matching grants, Hendricks County will have plenty of opportunities to celebrate this historic event.
The program awarded grant recipients up to $2,500 in 1:1 matching funds per activity or event. Eight applications were received. All proposals were reviewed by a grant selection committee who recommended funding these five submissions:
· Beasley’s Orchard – To help fund a Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Party ticketed event and include food vendors, live music, educational components about the eclipse, games, family entertainment activities and an open space for families to view the total solar eclipse, $2,500.
· Brownsburg Public Library – To help with a series of educational and entertaining programs in the months leading up to the eclipse and culminating with one main event on the day of the solar eclipse, $2,500.
· Hendricks Live! – To help with expenses for an Experience the Hendricks Eclipse LIVE! ticketed event that will include a total solar eclipse family-friendly viewing party that will take place in the arts center event space and the adjoining outdoor terrace, $2,500.
· Ms. B’s Teas – To assist in funding their TotaliTEA Solar Eclipse Viewing Tea Party. The ticketed event will allow attendees to view the solar eclipse while dining on eclipse-themed tea party foods, $700.
· The Shops at Perry Crossing – To purchase a long-term asset for use during the week-long public celebration including a viewing day during the solar eclipse, $2,500.
“It was so encouraging to see these creative events and ideas come to light to celebrate the eclipse in our county,” said Jaime Bohler Smith, Visit Hendricks County’s Executive Director/CEO. “I’m excited to have these added to the signature event planned at Indianapolis Raceway Park, and we are glad that our investment will be used to create opportunities for residents and visitors of Hendricks County.”
More details for the county’s signature eclipse event, Race to the Eclipse, hosted by Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park and supported by the Town of Brownsburg and Visit Hendricks County can be found by visiting our website at www.VisitHendricksCounty.com/Eclipse. As April 8 nears, that page will be updated with all the local activities and information surrounding the eclipse.
The Hendricks County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc., d/b/a Visit Hendricks County attracts visitors to the county by promoting and developing tourism, which stimulates economic growth and enhances quality of life. For more information, visit our website at VisitHendricksCounty.com or call (317) 718-8750.
