SIDNEY — Shelby County is now up to over 20 events and viewing locations for the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8.

The website https://www.visitsidneyshelby.com/the-2024-solar-eclipse-shelby-county-style/ has been frequently updated with the latest Shelby County eclipse event information by the Sidney-Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. Those events include:

• Hickory Hill Lakes Campgrounds, 7103 State Route 66, Fort Loramie, the site of Country Concert, will have camping and entertainment from Saturday, April 6, to Tuesday, April 9. For more information, visit https://totaleclipsefortloramieohio.com/index.html.

• Food trucks and live entertainment will occur at Shelby County Fairgrounds, 655 S. Highland Ave., Sidney, from Friday, April 5, to Monday, April 8. Camping is available April 5 to April 9 and non-camping guests (walk-ins) are welcome to enjoy the food trucks and entertainment. Food trucks will include Crossway Farms, Adams Apple, Boy Scouts, Mark Beouger – Honey, Adam Buckner – Lemonade, Iced Coffees – Coffees and Drinks, Downs Concessions, J’s Lip Smakin’ Wings, La Granja Mexican Food, Oh Crepe, Wanna Be Tacos, and Keyhole Pizza on the Go. On Monday, April 8, car parking will start at 8 a.m. at $40 per car; cash only, weather permitting, and first come first serve. SciJoy will also be launching a high-altitude balloon that will capture the shadow of the moon from the sky on Monday from 1 to 2 p.m. at the racetrack.

• The city of Sidney’s parks will be free and open to the public for viewing throughout the weekend and on April 8. Tawawa Park will still be closed to vehicular traffic but pedestrian use is welcome. Park lights controlled by the city will be turned off on eclipse day. Parks open at 6 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. Camping is not permitted at any park locations. The city released a list of the best parks for viewing, including Deam Park; Flanagan Sports Complex; Custenborder Fields; Baumgardner Basin; Julia Lamb Park; and Riverbend Park. For more information, visit https://www.sidneyoh.com/507/2024-Total-Solar-Eclipse.

• Sidney High School’s athletic boosters will be selling the 1,200 paved parking spaces and the 7,500-seat stadium will be open for viewing on Monday, April 8. There will be three on-site concession-type food options with access to the Shelby County Fairgrounds and restrooms available. Proceeds benefit students in athletics from grades 5-12. Gates open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Parking spaces can be pre-purchased for $75 at https://www.sidneycityschools.org/eclipse2024. Attendees can go to either 750 S. Fourth Ave., 1215 Campbell Road, or 901 Fair Road to access parking.

• Lehman Catholic High School, 2400 St. Marys Ave., Sidney, will offer 550 paved parking spaces on Monday, April 8, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at $100 per space with restrooms available. To purchase a ticket, visit https://lehmaneclipse.com/.

• Cargill, 2339 Industrial Drive, Sidney, will open lots to park on Monday, April 8, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for $60 per space. All proceeds will benefit three non-profit agencies: Shelby County CASA/GAL, the Senior Center of Sidney-Shelby County, and Samaritan Works. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1456056768352595/.

• VanDemark Farm will offer activities April 6-8 like mini golf, a petting zoo, a play zone, zip lining and a giant swing. On Saturday and Sunday, the farm will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and a daily activity entrance bracelet is $10 per person. On Monday, the farm will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and a bracelet is $20 per person. Camping is also available from Saturday to Tuesday with 200 camping sites and 300 parking spots. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/vandemarkfarm#!/pages/VanDemark-Farm/242036155821493.

• Sidney First United Methodist Church, 230 E. Poplar St. and 230 E. North St., will offer parking on Monday, April 8, for $40 per vehicle.

• Sidney First Church of the Nazarene, 1899 Wapakoneta Ave., will offer 158 paved parking spots on Monday, April 8, with four eclipse glasses per spot for $70 per spot. Food available will be the Sushi Hikari food truck and K&J’s Ice Cream and live entertainment is planned. Restrooms will also be available. Lot opens at 9 a.m. To reserve a spot, visit https://nazeclipse24.itemorder.com/shop/home/.

• The Landings of Sidney, 1150 W. Russell Road, will host a free solar eclipse party on Monday, April 8, from noon to 4 p.m. with snacks, games, live music, and solar eclipse glasses available. Bring your own lawn chair. RSVP by April 6 to 937-498-1818.

• The Northtowne Church of God, 2008 Wapakoneta Ave., Sidney, will have 64 parking spots available on Monday, April 8 at $60 per space, eclipse glasses for $2 each, and box lunches from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at $10 each. Cash only. Restrooms will be available. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1455385802059862/.

• The Calvary United Baptist Church, 9480 County Road 25A, Sidney, will have 80 parking spots available on Monday, April 8 at $50 per spot. Hot dogs, chips, snacks, drinks, and eclipse glasses will be available for purchase. Lot opens at 8 a.m. For more information and to reserve a spot, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/7705201706186079/.

• The Sidney Auto-Vue Drive-In, 1409 Fourth Ave., will host a viewing party on Monday, April 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking in the gravel lot will be $20 per vehicle and concessions will be open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Cash only. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/sidneyautovuedrivein/.

• Anna Community Park, 592 W. Main St., will offer a viewing opportunity on Monday, April 8, with food and beverages provided by the local Boy Scouts from 7:30 a.m. until dusk.

• Botkins Community Park, 500 E. State St., will offer a viewing opportunity on Monday, April 8, with parking at the park and Botkins School. School parking opens at 6 a.m. and parking at the park opens at 7:30 a.m. Both will be first come, first serve.

• Bergman Farm at 18769 Kentner Road, Botkins, will offer primitive camping April 5-8 for $100 per day and car parking on April 8 for $100. Food trucks will include My Chick’N Bites, Iron Grill, and Capital Ramen. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/botkins.solar.eclipse.camping.and.parking.

• The Palazzo, 309 S. Main St., Botkins, will host a viewing party on Monday, April 8. Parking for $100 per spot will be available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with restrooms, games, Sun-E Side Up and Ice Palace Express food trucks, alcoholic beverages, and a raffle. For more information and to reserve a spot, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1106083000423930/.

• The Inn Between, 16488 County Road 25A, Botkins, will host a patio party on Monday, April 8 with food and beverages. Paved parking spots and field parking will be available for $50 starting at 9 a.m., first come first serve. The band Thick and Thin will perform from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1108953920317580/.

• Only Believe Church, 13815 Botkins Road, will have more than 500 parking spaces available on Monday, April 8 for $100 per spot. Concessions will be available, and proceeds will go to the Mercy Mission House.

• Fort Loramie Schools/Boosters will be selling parking spots at 600 E. Park St. on Monday, April 8, starting at 9 a.m. for $75 per spot. The stadium will be open for viewing. Food trucks will be available at the stadium and across the street at Redskin Memorial Park. To purchase a spot, visit https://www.loramie.k12.oh.us/2024SolarEclipse.aspx.

• Lake Loramie State Park, 4401 Fort Loramie-Swanders Road, Minster, will host free events throughout the weekend with activities, food and live entertainment on April 7 and 8. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/lake.loramie and see the event schedule at https://www.visitsidneyshelby.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LakeLoramieEventsSched.pdf.

• Arrowhead Golf Course, 2211 Dirksen Road, Minster, will hold a viewing event with live entertainment and food trucks on Sunday, April 7, and Monday, April 8. Matt Ranly and Steve and Zach Rosenbeck will perform on Sunday and the Shifferly Road Band will perform on Monday. The golf course will also be open. Bring your own chairs. Tickets are required and are $100 for adults and $25 for those 17 and under. For tickets, visit https://golf.campaignpilot.com/2024-total-solar-eclipse-event-a3625bd5.

• Jackson Center’s Wally Byam Memorial Park at the corner of Pike Street and Parkview Drive will hold a free event on Monday, April 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. with music, food, drinks, and other activities. The event will benefit a new non-profit called Giving-It-For-Tomorrow. There will also be a silent auction to benefit the Indian Lake/Russell Point tornado cleanup.

Other points of interest around the county include:

• Downtown Sidney businesses will hold a pub crawl April 5-8 and many businesses are offering eclipse specials. The Historic Sidney Theatre will also hold events throughout the weekend. Visit https://sidneyalive.wpcomstaging.com/8226-2/?frame-nonce=52c0429749 for more details.

• The Wilderness Trail Museum at 37 N. Main St. in Fort Loramie will be open from noon to 4 p.m. on April 6 and 7 and 9 a.m. to noon on April 8.

• The Wallace Family Learning and Innovation Center, 115 E. North St., Sidney, will be open Saturday, April 6, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 7, from 1 to 5 p.m. It will be closed on Monday, April 8.

• The Loramie Brewing Company will be open all weekend — including Monday, April 8 — and will host the band Country Union on Saturday, April 6, from 7 to 10 p.m.

• The Kiwanis Club of Sidney will hold its Pancake Day on Sunday, April 7, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 221 S. Main Ave., Sidney. Meals will cost $10.

• Our Creative Marketplace, 310 W. Main St., Anna, will hold an Eclipse Kids Fun Fest April 6-8 with multiple hands-on kids crafts, games and raffles. Times are April 6, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; April 7, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and April 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets will be $1 each online and at the door. The business noted around 40 tickets will allow a child to do everything available. For more information and to pre-purchase tickets, visit https://www.ourcreativemarketplace.com/store/product/Eclipse%20-%20April%208%2C%202024/0002NL.

Compiled by Charlotte Caldwell