LEWISBURG — Many people in Ohio are planning parties for the April 8 total solar eclipse.

The village of Lewisburg is also planning a party.

But the village’s party isn’t taking place just on the day of the event. The village is planning a weekend full of activities that will take place downtown.

The event, entitled “Diamond Days,” will take place April 5-8.

Village officials named the theme of the event “Diamond Days” because of the diamond-ring effect that takes place during the eclipse.

The nasa.gov website states, “the diamond-ring effect occurs at the beginning and end of totality during a total solar eclipse. As the last bits of sunlight pass through the valleys on the moon’s limb, and the faint corona around the sun is just becoming visible, it looks like a ring with glittering diamonds on it.”

According to television station ABC 27, in Austin Texas, the diamond-ring effect is known as “Baily’s Beads,” named after “Francis Baily, the astronomer who first widely publicized their existence.”

ABC 27 stated according to European Southern Observatory, headquartered in Germany, whose telescopes and observatories are located in northern Chile, the effects “are caused by mountains, valleys and craters on the moon.”

The Great American Eclipse website states, “the total solar eclipse visits Ohio on April 8 beginning at 3:08 pm EDT with the final exit of the moon’s shadow from the state at 3:19 pm EDT.

“Through Ohio, the speed of the moon’s shadow will accelerate from about 1,995 miles per hour to about 2,290 miles per hour,” the website stated.

Friday, April 5:

• Activities begin April 5 at the Flour Bakery, 206 N Commerce St., where individuals can decorate their own eclipse cookies for $15. Individuals can decorate their cookies at 11 a.m. and at 1,3,5 and 7 p.m.

• Individuals who have the desire to sing can do so at the open mike event taking place April 5 from 5-8 p.m. at Brick Rhod Bistro, 109 N. Commerce St.

• Eclipse Commemorative Crafts can be designed by individuals on April 5 from 5-8 p.m. at the Joy and Whimsy Depot, 200 W. Dayton St. The event is free. All supplies will be provided.

Saturday, April 6:

• Individuals can start April 6 activities with breakfast served from 8-10 a.m. by the Lewisburg Historical Center. The breakfast will be held at the Lewisburg Community Center, 261 Clay St.

• The Trinity Church, 511 N. Commerce St., will be the site April 6 of a marketplace from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The church will also offer lunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• The Flour Bakery will be open on April 6 for those wanting to decorate eclipse cookies. Hours are 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Cost is $15.

• Disc jockey Nikki Plank will provide music on April from 1-4 p.m. at Bicentennial Square.

• The Lewisburg Trail Riders Club will be selling chicken dinners on April 6 beginning at 5 p.m. until sold out.

• The highlight of Saturday, April 7, is the “Dancing with the Stars” event to be held from 6:30-10 p.m. at the Gatherings on the Green Country Club and Event Venue, located at 7500 Salem Road. The event will consist of dinner provided by the Lewisburg Trail Riders Club, dancing and trivia. Tickets are $25 a person. Beer and wine are available at an additional cost. Dress is casual for the event. A total of 250 tickets are available while supplies last. Tickets may be purchased at the Brown Memorial Library, the Flour Bakery, the bicentennial store, online at www.facebook.com/gatheringsonthegreen/events or at the door. All proceeds will be donated to Lewisburg Arts and Recreation.

Sunday, April 7:

• The Lewisburg Historical Center will serve breakfast April 7 from 8-10 a.m. at the Lewisburg Community Center, 261 Clay St.

• Lewisburg Community Park, Knapke Lane will be the location of several activities on April 7. The events include:

• community church service (10-11 a.m.)

• lunch in the park (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

• games in the park (1-4 p.m.)

• music in the park (4-6 p.m.)

• The Lewisburg Trail Riders Club will selling hamburgers and hot dogs April 7 beginning at 5 p.m. until sold out.

• The Lewisburg Community Center will be the site of the following activities on April 7:

• bingo and kids’ board games (6-8 p.m.)

• Euchre (8-10 p.m.)

Monday, April 8:

• Brunch will be available April 8 at the Flour Bakery from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• The Solar Eclipse Experience program will take place April 8 from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the Garber Nature Center, located at 9691 OH-503. Cost is $5 a person. To attend the program, register online at preblecountyparks.com.

• A spaghetti dinner offered April 8 from 5-7 p.m. at Trinity Church.

• A solar eclipse wrap-up will be held April 8 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Joy and Whimsy Depot.

Reach Terry Baver at [email protected].