Party like it's 2012! 

If you are hosting a Transit of Venus celebration, here are some items to consider.  See the 2004 Celebration in Mishawaka, IN, for scenes of an observing site. 

Months before:

• Scout out event sites, with consideration given to unobstructed sight-lines, security, parking, restroom availability, electricity, internet access, and absence of lights with glare (for telescope viewing later that night). 
  
• Secure permission from landowner or government entity to conduct event at that site. 
  
• Get approval for tents or trailers to be set up adjacent to or near scopes, especially for telescope owners who come from afar.
  
• Invite amateur astronomers with telescopes and solar filters to set up their scopes for public viewing. Ask them to stay beyond twilight for stargazing session and planet-viewing (Mars and Saturn).
  
• Invite local musicians or school bands to perform John Phillip Sousa's Transit of Venus March or other ToV music.
  
• Put out a call for Transit of Venus art through a local art organization or advocate.  
• Purchase solar viewing equipment, whether simple or major.  Realize that with just solar shades, Venus is small--near the limit (about a minute of arc) of what the human eye can discern.  Don't wait for last minute when supplies are hard to get.
  
• Send out invitations--to family, friends, teachers, elected officials, special interest groups.
• Purchase and use some Transit of Venus paraphernalia, such as T-shirts, to start generating interest and dialogue.  Be the first one "in the know", then spread the enthusiasm.  
• Order tent, portable bathroom, tables.  Remember, you are competing for equipment with June weddings and graduation parties. Fortunately, it's a Tuesday.
• Seek financial support and/or active participation from local businesses and organizations.
• Contact local planetarium to present slate of sky shows related to transit.  Additional, flexible programming is key if you have cloudy weather during the transit.  
  
• Partner with local schools, teachers, and districts to integrate transit of Venus education resources into their existing curriculum.  Don't just pile more to-do onto their plate. 
  
• Watch http://youtu.be/4RGr9FcBrSM for eye safety information.
  

Weeks before:

• Build some rear projection screens so multiple observers can gather around a single telescope and view safely.  Instructions are at http://cdn.transitofvenus.org/docs/Build_a_Sun_Funnel.pdf. 
  
• Determine with confidence where the sun will set on June 5.  You want a clear view with no obstructions from the time of first contact through sunset.  Mark that location for telescopes to be set up.  Realize that normally clear sight-lines may be impeded.  For example, if you are planning a sunset photograph with a pier and lighthouse, you may find the pier crowded with people that evening. 
  
• Purchase and chill some Transit of Venus beer.  There will be a rush in the opening days of June--you don't want to be empty-handed after sunset.
• Obtain a P.A. system over which to narrate and to play music. 
  
• Obtain a shortwave radio that can broadcast a WWV time signal, which will provide time that is certain to be accurate.  WWV transmits at 2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20 MHz.  Or find a ham radio operator to do this for you.
  
• Send out press releases and invitations to local media outlets.
  
• Download the free Transit of Venus phone app.  Try the app's practice runs to get a sense of timing internal contact.
  
• Print observer's guide or an on-site handout.  Include local circumstances (e.g., latitude, longitude, predicted contact times) and a space for observers to record their actual time of observed contact.
• Double check your own gear for viewing the transit safely.   If projecting, make an aperture stop for your telescope to attenuate the direct sunlight.  Practice targeting the sun for an extended period.
• Print certificates for observers who witness the phenomenon, or for guests at your site who contribute their observed contact times to global experiments.  
• Notify local police and emergency service providers of your anticipation of a crowd. 
  

Day(s) before:

• Set up monitors that are capable of displaying webcasts.  Be sure they are sufficiently shielded, such as in a tent, so that the images can be seen during the daytime.  Alternative programming is especially important if you have a chance of cloudy weather.
  
• Gather supplies for kids' activities related to the transit, such as the Stained Glass Window activity. 
  
• Mark on the ground the prime spots where pre-identified, qualified telescope owners will set up.  These have clear sight lines for the duration of the transit. 
• Re-watch http://youtu.be/4RGr9FcBrSM for solar viewing safety.
  

[This article is under construction.  We welcome your input.]