Solar Eclipse 2024: Events in North Vernon, Vernon & Surrounding Jennings County

Remember you can find exact eclipse and totality timing by going to this map and clicking on the precise location you'll be at for the eclipse.

See here for my other town event guides and here for my general eclipse guide post. 

I will try to keep this updated to the best of my ability. Please let me know of anything you know about and I'll add it to the list.
Last updated January 31, 2024 3:33pm

Full disclosure for North Vernon and other Jennings County locations: I have not been anywhere here to provide insights. If anyone would like to chime in about traffic patterns or recommendations, etc., please feel free to! North Vernon seems to have gotten some very good restaurants in the last few years. It is about 30 minutes from downtown Columbus on a normal day, off of State Road 7. Vernon is just past it on SR 7, and is the county seat for Jennings County. There are several wildlife areas and nature preserves in Jennings County which may be good spots to watch from if you aren't interested in crowds or events.

North Vernon 

Totality: 2 minutes 43 seconds if watching from the new Tripton Park (add 3 seconds for watching at the North Vernon City Park and add more time the farther north you go)

Population: 6500

All Weekend // Fri, Apr 5 - Mon, Apr 8

• The city of North Vernon is planning a county-wide eclipse event as the call for vendors announces here at this Facebook link. I will list events below as they release the schedule. You can follow the main Solar Eclipse Festival Facebook event here. And here is the Facebook page for North Vernon Main Street to keep tabs on all that's going on in North Vernon.
  
  
• I will list the individual events below, but Perceptions Yoga, Mindfulness, and Art is hosting Total Eclipse of the Arts at Perceptions - An Eclipse Inspired Exhibit - Perceptions Yoga, Mindfulness & Art is calling all artists to participate in an eclipse inspired art show & sale in April of 2024. Images of works for consideration for the Total of Eclipse of the Arts Show should be sent via email to Karen Chilman at karenchilman@perceptionsyoga.org on or before March 1, 2024. Up to forty pieces of work will be exhibited, and if selected, will need to be brought or sent to Perceptions by April 1, 2024. An artist reception will be held April 5, 2024 from 5-7 pm and the galleries will be open on eclipse weekend, April 6th, 7th and 8th. Artwork may be offered for sale to the public with the gallery taking a 10% commission. The closing date for the exhibition will be April 26 at which time artists will pick up work or need to make arrangements to pick up on an alternative date. All artwork will need to have an artist statement and short biography as well as title and media. Works must be ready to hang. It is $24 to enter 4 pieces.
  
  
• The Loyal Order of Moose in North Vernon is offering primitive camping for the eclipse weekend. You can find out more information here - Join us for an unforgettable experience at the Loyal Order of Moose, Indiana 3 in North Vernon, IN, USA. Get ready to witness the breathtaking eclipse up close and personal! This in-person event offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the celestial spectacle. Set up your tent, gather around the campfire, and meet fellow eclipse enthusiasts. Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure!

Friday, April 5th

• 5pm-7pm at Perceptions Yoga, Mindfulness, and Art, donations accepted: Total Eclipse of the Arts Juried Art Show - It's the Total Eclipse of the Arts Juried Art Show. We are still taking entries for this show - create your work and send photos to Karen Chilman (karenchilman@perceptionsyoga.org). Up to 4 entries for a donation of just $24! Works must be celestial themed. 40 will be selected for the show, which opens on April 5th at 5 pm. Show us your creative side and enter TODAY!
  
  

Saturday, April 6th

• 7pm on Main Street North Vernon (50 Short St) (across from police department parking lot), $20 or $30: Around our Town Solar Glow Race (Facebook event here) - North Vernon Main Street is proud to host the Third Annual Around Our Town GLOW Race - an event the whole family can enjoy! We will be hosting it during the Solar Eclipse festival this year to celebrate North Vernon being in the Path of Totality! We offer two types of races: 1) 5K distance (3.14 miles) that will start on Main Street across from the NVPD parking lot and wind its way through downtown North Vernon. Participants in the 5K can either run or walk - go at your own speed! 2) 1-mile walk or run. This route loops you through the iconic areas of downtown North Vernon. The race will begin at 7:00pm across from the North Vernon Police Department parking lot. Participants can register through this portal before race day or on-site before the race begins. Pre-registration will end at 9:00pm on Thursday, April 4th at 9:00pm. On-site registration and pre-registered packet pick-up will begin at 5:00pm during the day of the race. Feel free to "glow it up" even more with your own Solar Glow outfit! The purpose of the GLOW Race is to light up the night with some fun, showcase our downtown, and promote wellness in our community. After you finish the race, stay for the afterparty! 
  
  

Sunday, April 7th

• I haven't seen anything for just Sunday yet, but will post if/when we get more information.

Monday, April 8th (ECLIPSE DAY)

• Private-ish Event: 12pm onwards at the Muscatatuck County Park in North Vernon dining hall, cost TBD: Jennings County High School Class of 1969 55th Reunion - If you are planning to attend and are part of the class's Facebook group, please communicate that on Facebook either publicly on the group page or to Marsha (Stearns) Gottwalles privately via Facebook Messenger. If you have email and plan to attend, please contact Bette Eggleston at betteis@frontier.com.  Also, contact Bette if your email or street address has changed since the 50th reunion, not if it's the same. If you're not on social media and plan to attend, drop Bette a note at 328 Gilbert St., North Vernon, IN 47265.

Vernon

Totality: 2 minutes 36 seconds if watching from the Jennings County Courthouse

Population: 2900

Saturday, April 6th

• 7:30am-9am, 4:30pm, 5:30-6:30pm at Perceptions Yoga, Mindfulness, and Art, donations accepted: Total Eclipse of the Arts Paint Out in Historic Vernon - It's a Total Eclipse of the Arts in Vernon and we are hosting a plein air Paint Out on Saturday, April 6th. Prizes awarded! Register ONLINE (https://forms.gle/La4m8XsBbYycoeib8) or by contacting Karen Chilman (karenchilman@perceptionsyoga.org). Bring your canvases to Perceptions between 7:30 and 9:00 am to be stamped and then enjoy your day of outdoor painting in beautiful Jennings County. Entry fee is a donation of your choice! Bring your finished work back to Perceptions by 4:30 pm for judging. A reception will take place between 5:30 and 6:30 pm during which winners will be announced and prizes awarded.
  
  
• 3pm-7pm time slots available at Perceptions Yoga, Mindfulness, and Art, donations accepted (suggested $20 for this event): Total Eclipse of the Arts Ceramic Bowl Glazing - As part of the Total Eclipse of the Arts weekend, join us at Perceptions to create a unique pottery piece to commemorate the total eclipse by glazing a pre-made bowl. Ceramic bowls, glaze, brushes, and all supplies will be provided. This is an Arts Midwest GIG Grant funded activity. Suggested donation is $20. Perceptions has purchased 48 ceramic bowls for people to decorate. Resident artist Rachel Silverstein will be your lead on this project. Registration is required and space limited to 12 artists per session. Glazing takes place on Friday afternoon and evening so that pieces can be fired in the Perceptions kiln and ready for pick-up on Saturday/Sunday. Register at https://signup.com/go/ROotQnP

Other Jennings County

Population for all Jennings County: 27,000

Let me know if there's anything else you know of planned for Jennings County.