2. Plan for the crowds
Not every community in the path of totality for the 2024 eclipse will have 30,000 visitors, but most can expect to have many, many more attendees than you see at typical events. Even if you aren’t near the point of longest duration and don’t have NASA visiting your town, it’s important to plan like it’s your biggest event of the year (and then some). Make the most of the opportunity by creating special branding, hosting large-scale events, and selling merchandise (have ANYTHING that says “Eclipse” on them... people will buy them!).
Along with the City of Carbondale, Carbondale Main Street hosted a three-day festival called Carbondale ShadowFest, which included different live music showcases: an 80s rewind, a tribute night, and a homegrown stage with popular local musicians. The concert series was sponsored by several local organizations, creating free entertainment for residents and visitors alike.
3. Prepare your residents
To prepare your residents and small business owners, create a strong communications and education plan to prepare them for the big event.
For business owners, host meetings and forums and create educational marketing content to offer tips on how to prepare. For example, let restaurants know to order extra supplies that week, and encourage shops to expand their regular hours.
Communicate with and educate your residents, too. There’s no need for scare tactics, but
do let locals know what to anticipate and the best ways to adapt to the crowds. For example, let residents know to buy groceries ahead of time and plan for less parking and increased traffic. Drum up excitement among residents about the events and promotions you’re planning for the big day. Encourage participation ahead of time by inviting people to sign up as volunteers or register for events.
4. Leverage existing partnerships, lean into new ones
If you are in the path of totality for the total solar eclipse in 2024, know that thousands of people from around the globe will soon come to experience the awe in your home community. Use the opportunity to create new relationships and partnerships that you can continue to cultivate and grow long after the event.
Your partnerships matter. And if any time is a time to galvanize your community, it’s when faced with an exciting opportunity like this. In 2017, some of the most important connections we had that made our events a success were local volunteers greeting people, the local Keep America affiliate picking up trash, and the Police Department playing kickball with kids during a concert. In addition to our existing connections, we also created new partnerships with regional astronomy clubs, staff from Southern Illinois University, and school districts from across southern Illinois.