LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Southern Indiana communities are preparing for a once-in-lifetime opportunity this spring. 

The biggest star in the sky will cast its shadow on southern Indiana towns on April 8. A total eclipse will be visible within a 115-mile wide swath — the path of totality. Parts of southern Indiana are on that path of totality.

"I think it's a great opportunity that we can take advantage of," Vernon, Indiana resident Charlinda Evans said.

For much of the Louisville and southern Indiana area, the eclipse will start around 1:45 p.m. and will be at its max just after 3 p.m. For a few minutes of totality, the solar eclipse will captivate small towns like North Vernon.

"We've kind of been playing on the word since we're the Solar City, and now we're going to be in the path of totality of the solar eclipse," said Autumn Moore with North Vernon Main Street. 

North Vernon is surrounded by solar panels, so its fittingly named Solar City.

But the sun will give way to the moon on a Monday in April.

"That's okay, it will only be here for a few minutes," Moore said. "Then we'll move on."

Cities and towns like North Vernon are preparing for thousands of people to descend upon the area. Vernon is no different.

"We wanted to make sure we were programming for our community so that we could offer our services and draw attention to what we're doing for our community," Evans said.

Vernon is lit up with art and history to capitalize on the eclipse experience. The town is leading a community eclipse art project that will bring money and exposure to the area.

ECLIPSE COMMUNITIES

Solar eclipse artwork in Indiana.

"This will magically get put into a mural over the course of the next few weeks," Charlinda Evans said. "We have art from kids, our home school students, some of our senior creative agers are producing art."

Scottsburg is also on the path of the sun and moon. The town will have a viewing area with food and souvenirs set up just minutes away from Louisville.

"We're going to have about 15 different vendors here, local businesses set up doing different things," said Scottsburg Fire Chief James Richey. "We're going to try and get them all themed to have to do with space and the eclipse itself."

Scott County's only food bank is also playing its part in the solar event to raise awareness and support.

"We're going to do theme snacks like Sun Chips, Sunny Delight, Sun Drop, maybe some Pop Rocks, some Milky Ways, anything that can kind of stay on theme with the eclipse," said Beth Trabue with Scott County Community Clearing House. "The community support is what we have to have to keep open."

While the towns and cities are all planning unique ways to celebrate the solar eclipse, they do share a common goal.

"As people are coming through, they're actually getting to see what's here," Richey said.

"It's golden for us to be able to do those types of things for the community," Evans said.

This is the last total solar eclipse visible in the continental U.S. for 20 years. The next one is in 2044, and totality won’t be visible here in the Ohio Valley.

Eclipse coverage on WDRB: 

You’ll be able to find all our Eclipse coverage on wdrb.com, and some of that coverage involves you!

Do you have questions about the eclipse, how to watch safely, or how kids can participate? Send them to us! We will have a panel of experts answer your questions in one of our upcoming segments. You can send those to me on Facebook or X or you can email Hannah Strong: hstrong@wdrb.com

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