Thousands of visitors from 44 states and 22 countries descended upon our charming city for the April 8 solar eclipse, and the thing I’ll remember most is how many memories were made that day. There was dancing, singing and cheering at the lawn of the amphitheater. Hundreds of people walked around the beautiful streets of our downtown. The whole town was buzzing with excitement, and magic filled the air from the anticipation of what would be one of the greatest experiences of our lives. From Australia to California to Costa Rica to here, we were all together as a community.
A gentleman from Wisconsin brought his two grandchildren for three days and two nights during the eclipse. He said they enjoyed their entire stay, and the five hours at the amphitheater on eclipse day was “the best time ever.”
The staff at Festival Country was busy taking visitors’ photos with the giant pair of eclipse glasses in front of the visitor center, while around the corner, the Lions Club had its “I survived the total solar eclipse” photo opportunity.
A visitor from Kentucky said experiencing a total eclipse is something you will never forget, but experiencing a total eclipse from what felt like a home away from home with such a kind community is something that will be in your heart forever. These anecdotes are truly inspiring. Visitors were blown away by the warm welcome they received in Franklin. It’s amazing how a first impression can impact a person for the rest of their lives. Numerous people said they would come back and visit, and some even said that this is a place where they would love to live one day. I think we can all agree that the eclipse will go down as one of the coolest experiences our town has ever experienced. But what if I told you that the impact our community had on all the people who came to visit was even better?
The entire day was inspiring, magical, unforgettable and special, and it will be remembered for years to come. We were in the heart of it all, and now we will forever be in the hearts of others who got to experience this once-in-a-lifetime event in our little genuine city of Franklin.
Visit Festival Country Indiana at festivalcountryindiana.com.
