By: Alli Harlan
Champaign County is gearing up for the total solar eclipse.
The following events are planned for the once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.
On April 5th, camping at the Champaign County Fairgrounds begins. All campsites have electric and water hookups, two dumpster stations, and six available bathrooms. The Urbana Antique Show and Flea Market at the Champaign County Fairgrounds will be open Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can find more information on camping online HERE.
Urbana’s Second Saturday event will be Saturday the 6th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. They’re calling it “Neon Moon Solar Eclipse Fest.” You can enjoy extra shopping time, street vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, a kids’ paradise, and mobile axe throwing. A live band will kick off at 6 p.m. outside Urbana Brewing Company, at 35 Monument Square in Urbana. Champaign County Visitors Bureau has a festival package available for purchase at 127 West Court Street.
On Monday, April 8th:
- The Christiansburg Community Park at 115 West 2nd Street, in Christiansburg, is hosting a solar eclipse in the park with camping music, food, and other activities.
- Freshwater Farms located at 2624 US-68 in Urbana, will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a food menu including walking fish tacos, brats, hot dogs, and fries.
- From 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Dragonfly Vineyard & Wine Cellar, located at 710 W Herr Road in Urbana, they will have a breakfast menu of homemade sausage gravy and biscuits. Watch the eclipse, then, catch rising star Leah Crose and two of her Nashville colleagues, Kyle Austin and Justin Harris from 4:00-7:00.
- Cedar Bog Nature Preserve, at 980 Woodbury Road in Urbana, invites you to Immerse yourself in the wonders of nature as you witness the mesmerizing celestial phenomenon of an eclipse. Cedar Bog Association will provide eclipse glasses for attendees.
- Folck Winery, 6843 OH-54 in Mechanicsburg, invites guests to reserve parking sites. Public restrooms are available, but no outside beverages are permitted. Reserve your site today by clicking here.
- Grimes Field, at 1636 North Main Street in Urbana, will be welcoming any spectators, they ask that you bring your lawn chairs. The Grimes Flying Lab Museum will be open for the first time this year allowing a walkthrough of the hangar from the ramp. They will be selling snacks as well as museum and eclipse glasses. The Airport Cafe, next door, will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you are flying into I74 for this historic event, please remember that it will be self-parking in the grass with a $10 per plane parking fee, cash only. Your “ticket” will be a custom Grimes Field sticker. If you are driving to Grimes Field for the event, parking will be free. Tickets will be sold at the airport gate for $2 per person and $5 per family, cash only. The main ramp will be closed to aircraft traffic and coned off for pedestrians to enjoy.
It’ll be a great weekend with the many events in Champaign County, go and support your local businesses and enjoy the eclipse!
