The April 8, 2024, total eclipse is months away, but plans are in the works to celebrate this rare celestial phenomenon, which is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of people to the greater Indianapolis area.

Central Indiana is in the path of totality, which means this area will experience the full eclipse. City of Lawrence Chief of Staff Cori Korn said planners are not only organizing a big celebration on the day of the eclipse but also are working the eclipse theme into various events leading up to the big day to build excitement and anticipation.

“Because we know it’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for so many of our residents and (other) people, we don’t want anyone to miss out,” she said.

In December, Winterfest and the Lawrence Christmas Festival will include eclipse elements, she said, and they’re working with the public library to get the word out to younger residents.

In March, Arts for Lawrence is planning a visual arts display in its gallery, celebrating all things eclipse-related, Korn said, and on April 6, a couple days before the actual eclipse, Lawrence will host an “Outrun the Sun” 5K.

“That weekend. the Greater Indianapolis area is expecting about 400,000 visitors,” Korn said. “And so with that, we want to be a spot and destination that not only our residents but visitors alike want to come to. So we’re trying to do different activities every day of that weekend.”

In addition to the 5K on April 6, organizers are planning a pickleball tournament April 7.

April 8, the day of the eclipse, is a Monday. For central Indiana, the phenomenon starts at about 1:50 p.m., with totality at 3:06 p.m. It will end at 4:23 p.m.

Korn said the city will host a festival on April 8, with live music, special activities for kids, food trucks and vendors selling eclipse and celestial-related items.

“It will all be very eclipsed-themed,” she said. “It’s pretty exciting to know that we’re in that path of totality. The last time it was here, it was a partial, and to have the total eclipse and be on that path of totality is exciting. We really want to make it an event for all the people of Lawrence.”

Korn said they’re encouraging local restaurants to offer eclipse-themed specials, and they hope to work with an area brewery for a special eclipse beer.

There are other eclipse plans in the works, and as events and celebrations are set in Lawrence, planners will update its eclipse website, visitlawrenceindiana.com/events/eclipse2024.