'Unprecedented': 25,000 to 50,000 visitors expected in Terre Haute for eclipse

Apr. 4—David Patterson, executive director of the Terre Haute Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the number of visitors coming to Terre Haute to behold Monday's total eclipse could be "unprecedented."

The eclipse will begin around 1:45 p.m. and last until 4:30 p.m. Totality of the eclipse will take place between 3 and 3:15 p.m. throughout its path in Indiana. The path of totality will hit Terre Haute at 3:04 p.m. and last about three minutes.

"A lot of wonderful people are coordinating events through the Terre Haute Children's Museum," Patterson said. His bureau has been in charge of advertising the event and providing protective glasses.

Businesses — particularly hotels and restaurants — will benefit from the influx of visitors, but Terre Haute Mayor Brandon Sakbun pointed out that the city will, as well.

"There's always a financial impact, from a food and beverage tax or hotel innkeeper tax," he said.

"I stay in close conversations with the Convention and Visitors Bureau to monitor hotel occupancy rates as well as total number of events booked throughout the city and county."

Blake Dollier, public relations director for the Indiana Department of Transportation, said INDOT has been working with the Indiana State Police for months in preparation of the eclipse.

INDOT and ISP are expecting hundreds of thousands of visitors to Indiana and four million people in the state to be in the path of totality and are encouraging drivers to plan ahead.

The Terre Haute Police Department is estimating somewhere between 25,000 and 50,000 visitors on April 8, said Public Information Officer Justin Sears.

Patience & safety

"We're flying a little blind here," Patterson said, adding that 25,000 visitors at one time tends to be Terre Haute's tipping point at accommodating tourists, and if the number indeed reaches 50,000, "we might not be able to handle that."

THPD will have 85% of its officers working shifts during the eclipse.

Sgt. Matt Ames, Indiana State Police public information officer, said every trooper will be available at the time to conduct extra patrols and provide additional presence.

Police are most concerned about what traffic will be like on either side of the eclipse.

"There are concerns in reference to traffic," Ames said. "We will make sure we get to congested areas and direct traffic so people can get to I-70 and on their way home."

"Our key message is, 'Arrive early, stay put, leave late,'" Dollier said. "We want to welcome everybody to the Hoosier state, but know that you could be stuck in traffic for hours potentially. After the eclipse, we're encouraging people to hang out and relax."

"We're asking every motorist to be patient," Ames added. "Allow one to two hours to allow the traffic to go away. And as always, we ask that people be courteous motorists and undistracted motorists."

"Large crowds, whether it's a basketball game or an eclipse, we do look at it from a public safety perspective," Sakbun said. "We are working with the county, the state police, myriad other entities and emergency management to make sure that we are prepared. I'm confident that we've got a strong public safety plan in place.

"We've done a thorough review of After Action Reviews from other states that have experienced total solar eclipses," the mayor added. "We've seen what has happened in the past — up to 17-hour traffic delays on an interstate. We don't want history to repeat itself and we'll do everything we can to be prepared."

Hence, the city will close the following streets from Sunday at 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. Monday: Wabash Avenue from Sixth Street to Ninth Street, Seventh Street from Ohio Street to Cherry Street and Eighth Street from Ohio Street to Cherry Street.

On Wednesday, Gov. Eric Holcomb signed an executive order to support the anticipated needs of Indiana's emergency response, transportation, communication and infrastructure systems during the eclipse, particularly communications systems that could be burdened by the high number of visitors.

Those monitoring visitor safety will have the appropriate glasses to participate in watching the eclipse.

Another concern is whether Terre Haute's service industry will be prepared for an onslaught of visitors.

"Hotels are already basically filled," Patterson said. The entire service industry — food and gas in addition to accommodations — "need to be fully stocked."

The Vigo County Health Department issued a reminder for food vendors wishing to participate in eclipse events, however well stocked they may be:

"Those who plan to participate in food vending for ANY eclipse event in Vigo County must register with the Health Department. There will now be a late fee as well. The last date to register without a late fee was March 22. This includes anyone who is preparing food onsite. If a person is seen operating without registering with the health department prior to, they will be asked to leave the event."

Patterson said, "The short window of activity is my biggest concern" with regards to safety. He noted, however, that "people are going to be coming here with a clean heart and a good mood."

While all those visitors are in town, Sakbun said the city will provide "a strong marketing plan for future events to be broadcast while we have visitors in town to entice them to keep coming back. ... We'll encourage people to be cognizant of large crowds and enjoy Terre Haute and Vigo County because we're happy to open our doors to many folks from across the nation."

Events in town

In downtown Terre Haute, an Eclipse Festival will feature live music, children's activities, food and craft vendors and a beer garden that will run 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Wabash Avenue.

The Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department will have eclipse viewing celebrations Monday from 1 to 4 p.m. at various city parks.

Dobbs Memorial Park (5170 Poplar St.), Fairbanks Park (1100 Girl Scout Lane) and Maple Avenue Nature Park (500 Maple Ave.) will be open to eclipse viewers. They will also have free eclipse glasses and STEM giveaways while supplies last.

For more information, call 812-232-0147.

David Kronke can be reached at 812-231-4232 or at david.kronke@tribstar.com.