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Read More about this safari issue.Arkansas is TOTALLY ready for the Eclipse
In one month, Arkansas will experience a total solar eclipse April 8, 2024. The entire path of totality will include 53 of Arkansas’ 75 counties and many major cities. The eclipse will also be visible from Mount Magazine, Arkansas’ highest point at 2,753 feet. Petit Jean State Park, a premier Arkansas location, is hosting a weekend of festivities, and Russellville will host NASA’s live eclipse broadcast.
Arkansas will host extended lengths of totality, with over four minutes in 34 locations. The broader path of the eclipse will enter the state at 12:29 p.m. with totality from 1:46 p.m. to 1:59 p.m., and the entire eclipse path will pass out of the state around 3:14 p.m.
Path of the Total Solar Eclipse in Arkansas
Many websites offer maps and linear direction information for those curious about following the path of totality. The noted plan by the National Eclipse website shows the first point of totality beginning in De Queen around 1:46 p.m. with four minutes and 17 seconds of totality. The path continues a Northeastern path, entering central Arkansas through Hot Springs at 1:49 p.m. Arkadelphia, Russellville and Dardanelle will also begin totality at 1:49 p.m.
Little Rock and other towns in Central and North Central Arkansas will see totality start at 1:50 p.m., two and half minutes to just over four minutes. Jonesboro will experience totality at 1:55 p.m. The last town in totality is Paragould at 1:56 p.m. before the path crosses the state line into the corners of Tennessee and Kentucky.
What does this mean for Arkansas?
The Great North American Eclipse is a HUGE tourism event for Arkansas. Some mark it as the most significant tourism event our state has experienced, with an expectation of up to 1.5 million visitors.
Some communities began first conversations as early as March 2019 under the urging of the team at Arkansas Parks, Heritage and Tourism, who’ve made a significant time and financial investment in opening the doors of Arkansas’s great outdoors for guests in every nook and cranny of our National Forests, wide-open lakes, State Parks and beyond.
Preparation for eclipse events has brought community leaders to the table in new ways, opening partnerships and strengthening community planning across the state. Rural airports have cleaned up their runways and protocols. Local hotels have increased creativity and streamlined processes for attracting guests. And restaurant owners are now planning grocery deliveries and supply chain management.
ITS GOING TO BE A BIG DEAL!
Did you know???
- Seventy-seven towns in Arkansas are in the path of totality; that’s ⅔ of the state.
- Arkansas is the perfect destination for the eclipse because of our unobscured skies and low light pollution.
- You will need certified glasses to be able to view the eclipse safely – ISO 12312-2 Certified
- The sun will be obscured in 94% of the state, it will go dark in the middle of the day and the temperature will change.
- The next total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States will be Aug. 23, 2044, with an average of just over two minutes. It will mostly be in the Northern States near the Canadian border. This year is a chance of a lifetime for Arkansans!
- Animals will indicate what is coming – watch how birds and wildlife move to better understand the timing.
- If you see purple tape that means NO TRESPASSING. Observe and obey posted signs, especially on private property.
Arkansas Eclipse Events to Visit
Now is the time to decide where you will be and prepare for the festivities. Many of the 77 towns in Arkansas experiencing eclipse totality are hosting weekend-long festivals and niche events.
- Sevierly Dark Festival | De Queen – NASA scientists, astronomers, Big Foot Sighting specialists, tethered hot air balloon rides, craft walk and fiesta dancers
- SOLARbration | Texarkana – two states equal twice as much fun kicking off the Four States Rodeo and Fair, A Symphony tribute to Pink Floyd and Stateline entertainment with live bands and food.
- Eclipse Events | Mena – Eclips-Mas and Eclipsync, Blue ZipLine Event with astronomy talks and the Avalon Music Fest
- Total Eclipse of the Park | Booneville – three-day festival including music fest, community scavenger hunt and ranching in one of National Geographic’s top spots to camp for the eclipse
- Eclipse 2024 | Hot Springs – live music, scientific studies, garden parties, Majestic baseball games, scavenger hunts and a sound bath. Also, the Mid-America Eclipse Party and Atlas Obscura Eclipse Festival.
- Sunsational Shopping Event and Community Movie Night | Paris
- Crystal Eclipse Experience | Jessieville – live music and crystal digging at the Ron Coleman Mine
- Total Eclipse of the Heart | Russellville – three-day celestial celebration and Elope at the Eclipse mass wedding celebration right before totality
- Moonstock | Clarksville – outdoor concert, 5K, Masquerade Ball and clock party
- Target Locale | Morrilton – eclipse concert series, camping with cowboys, and field camping at the Get Mooned tent village along I-40
- Total Solar Eclipse | UCA Campus, Conway – multiple events, including artists talk back, public lectures, astronomy presentations, live viewing at Estes Stadium and a pet-friendly viewing event.
- BlackOut on the Boulevard | Maumelle – family-friendly events for everyone, including a Community Wide Church Service.
- Blackout over Brier | Greenbrier – Art Jam, Circus, Live entertainment and Eclips-mas Skate Party
- Free Eclipse Events | Little Rock – tractor pull, pet parade, SOMA after dark, Symphony outdoor concert and free live music across the city
- Moon Block Party | North Little Rock – unique viewing opportunities onboard a war submarine, above the baseball field, on the back of a bicycle or in a kayak in the Arkansas River.
- Romancing the Eclipse | Romance – movie night and on-site camping
- Eclipse Fest | Heber Springs – live music, solar pickleball tournament, golf scramble and fly-in
- Eclipse in Searcy | Searcy – a week of fun activities like space movies at the historic Rialto theater, Pioneer Village Historic Eclipse Experience, viewing party at Raider stadium and Galaxy Fest
- Camp in Totality | Mountain Home – camping village along the Norfork Lake
- Eclipse Events | Batesville – In the Sun for the Son event, Festival at the Youth Ranch and Scots in the Dark event at Lyon College
- Solar Eclipse Festival | Cherokee Village – 60-foot Ferris wheel, Jumbotron, children’s games and beer garden
- Total Solar Eclipse Festival | Jonesboro & Dyess – Arkansas Roots Ride & Music Festival, Lunch & Learn presentation by NASA scientist and eclipse viewing tailgate party
- Eclipse on the Ridge | Paragould – live performances by the Liverpool Legends, see the Paragould Meteorite and experience Downtown After Hours
- Highlights to be on the water during the eclipse
Like this story? Read more from Keisha Pittman McKinney
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got my supplies today to make my eclipse tshirts for the family. We are ready to watch. And, its fun to hear the buzz. People are finally realizing it is happening!
[…] it is upon us. A large part of Arkansas is the center of totality for the Great American Solar Eclipse, and everyone is anticipating an extraordinary day across the Natural State. Whether you are […]
Little River County is excited about April 8th and has put together this flipbook of information. https://bit.ly/3IQfkv1
[…] something for everyone to enjoy throughout the state. Explore a comprehensive list of events by clicking here, discover thrilling activities to partake in by clicking here, and ensure you’re […]