Why a large eclipse event at Indiana fairgrounds was called off after years of planning
Pam Weaver's dream has turned dark, much like the skies over Bloomington and a large portion of Indiana will during the April 8 total solar eclipse.
In 2019, Weaver booked the Monroe County Fairgrounds for April 6-8, 2024, with plans to provide camping, entertainment and a place for people to watch the eclipse. The event, Shadowfest, had scheduled 15 bands to perform in the two days before the eclipse, as well as activities for kids and a wellness village.
Contract and communication issues
Weaver said she was working with the county and state fire marshals, changing where people could camp and moving forward when she received an email "out of the blue," stating there was a payment issue and she would not be able to use the fairgrounds. While Weaver had already paid what was owed on the contract she had, she said there was "a bit of a contract dispute as to when things were due." She said she was willing to pay the remainder of what she owed in cash, but, even though she reached out to fair board members, no one contacted her about how to proceed.
Then, after sharing correspondence for more than three years, she received an email from the board secretary stating the executive board of the fair association had "discussions" and decided to "part ways with Shadow Fest" for breach of contract. The email said the board had to "act in a manor (sic) to protect the Monroe County Fair Grounds." It said Weaver could discuss it further with the board president.
According to Weaver, when she reached out to board president Jake Conard and others, no one replied to explain why, after accepting several payments from her, the event was suddenly shut down. Weaver said she actually thought the fair board might refund some of her money. Weaver had initially planned to use several buildings at the fairgrounds, but she learned fire safety issues would prevent her from doing so, she said.
"They had been great up to that point," Weaver said. "I was really disappointed. ... I'm still kind of unwinding it but basically it is not going to happen."
The fair board asserts Weaver did not pay on time, something she disputes.
Weaver said the contract she signed in 2019 looks different from the contract the fair board presented her with when they discussed the payment issues. She's now having to contact bands, participating groups and campers to tell them Shadowfest is off.
"This is affecting a lot of people," she said.
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Conard said the event was canceled for breach of contract. When asked to respond to some of the issues Weaver brought up, Conard said in an email: "the event by Mrs. Weaver has been canceled and the Fair Board has no further comment on that matter."
Fairgrounds will open for camping, viewing on April 8, 2024
Instead of Weaver's long-planned event, Conard said the fair board decided to offer camping in the days just before and after the eclipse and a place to watch.
There will be no bands or activities on April 6 or 7, only camping at the 120 RV sites on the fairgrounds.
The RV sites offer electric and water and Conard said people will be allowed to set up a tent in one of the sites. The RV sites will be available for April 6-8 for $175 per site and April 6-9 for $200. Each site can have one RV or trailer and two vehicles. While the sites don't offer sewer, there is a dump site on the fairgrounds.
No activities are planned now for April 8 at the fairground, but the gates will open at 10 a.m. for people to watch the eclipse, Conard said, adding, "It's first-come, first-serve and that's going to be free."
The fair board will provide security the day of the eclipse, the restrooms and porta-potties will be open and there will be some food concessions available. Vehicles for April 8 viewing will be parked much like they are for the fair, Conard said.
Reach Carol Kugler at ckugler@heraldt.com.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Solar eclipse 2024: Shadowfest in Monroe County Indiana canceled
