The 2024 Great Solar Eclipse will traverse across much of Arkansas, including Scott, Sebastian, Franklin and Logan County, on Monday April 8, 2024.
Arkansas Parks & Tourism along with many local chambers of commerce have invested considerable funds for promotion of this event as it could potentially bring in 1.5 million visitors to our state, along with millions of dollars in tax revenue.
In the path of totality, locations will see almost two minutes of darkness shortly after 1 p.m. There are some festival type events planned in our immediate area in connection with the eclipse. However, with this event taking place on a Monday, there may potentially be a gradual influx of visitors coming into the region as soon as Thursday, April 4, for the purpose of enjoying outdoor recreation activities in the Ozark National Forest and other popular camping and recreation venues.
MANSFIELD AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
“Cosmic Eclipse Festival” on April 6 at the gazebo, downtown Mansfield. There will be vendors, concession available, entertainment, and commemorative items such as t-shirts, eclipse glasses, keychains and much more available. Vendors are welcome to set up around the gazebo (please not underneath it) early, and again on Sunday and Monday.
WALDRON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
“The Great North America Solar Eclipse” The Waldron Area Chamber of Commerce will be selling commemorative t-shirts with sponsored by local businesses.
PARIS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
“Sunsational Shopping – Get Geeky During Eclipse Weekend”: April 6-8, 2024, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Costume contest daily at noon with the following themes – April 6, stars/NASA; April 7, UFO/Alien; April 8, Sun/Moon. The event will feature kids activities, food, crafts and vendors. Event location: 25 W. Walnut, Paris, AR.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF SOUTH LOGAN COUNTY BOONEVILLE AND MAGAZINE:
“Total Eclipse in the Park” will be held April 6-8, 2024. It will be a fun weekend of activities, and include crafts, a food market, and free music. The event will be held at Broadway Park in downtown Booneville.
REMEMBER: If you plan to view the eclipse, be sure to have proper eyewear. Eclipse viewing glasses and handheld solar viewers should meet the following criteria:
• Have certification information with a designated ISO 12312-2 international standard.
• Have manufactures name and address printed somewhere on the product.
• Not be used if they are older than three years or have scratched or wrinkled lenses.
• Ordinary sunglasses – even the very dark ones – should NOT be used as a replacement for eclipse viewing glasses.
This is going to be a historic event, in fact, in the remainder of this decade no fewer than six solar eclipses will be viewable from the U.S. and Canada. But do keep in mind that if it is not cloudy or rainy, there will potentially be a lot of extra folks in the area in the days leading up to it, and the day of. Many will be leaving as daylight begins to reappear to either follow the event, or to return home. This may be the most likely time for congested roads. Plan ahead to have what you need!
