State gears up for total solar eclipse
First such occasion in more than a century brings multitude of special events
Early next month, weather permitting, Arkansans will turn their eyes to the sky to watch the first total solar eclipse viewable in Arkansas in more than a century. In what is known as the “Great North American Eclipse,” Arkansas is one of 15 states where the sun will be totally blocked by the moon for a few minutes on April 8.
State officials say it could be the largest tourism event in Arkansas history with about 1.5 million people from outside the state expected to come to the cities, towns, campgrounds and parks within the 117-mile-wide path of totality that stretches like a ribbon from southwestern to northeastern Arkansas. An additional 500,000 Arkansans are expected to travel to the areas of totality, according to a news release issued in December by the Arkansas House of Representatives. About 83,000 visitors are expected to view the eclipse from the 21 state parks in Arkansas located within the path of totality. With a four-night-minimum stay, state park lodging was largely sold out by the end of last year, the release revealed.
“The shadow will touch down in the southwest tip of Arkansas near De Queen at 1:46 p.m. and journey northeastward, exiting the state near Pocahontas at approximately 2 p.m.,” the release said. “For those lucky enough to be in the center of the path, a mesmerizing four minutes of total darkness will unfold.”
The last time Arkansas was in the path of totality for a solar eclipse was 1918 — and there will not be another opportunity until 2045.
Eclipse-viewers have a seemingly endless number of choices for how to watch the rare celestial event, ranging from large group gatherings and festivals with concerts to more private venues such as airbnbs, cabins and campsites. The most comprehensive event/lodging listing for Arkansas can be found at arkansas.com/natural-state/eclipse, hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. In addition, several cities and businesses within the totality path have eclipse websites, including Little Rock (littlerock.com/eclipse), Hot Springs totaleclipsearkansas.
com), Russellville (eclipserussellville.com) and Jonesboro (tourjonesboro.com/ eclipse-2024) among many others.
HOT SPRINGS
In Hot Springs, tourism officials are planning for about 100,000 visitors to the resort city and national park, which has a population of about 40,000.
“It is so hard for us to gauge (how many visitors will come),” says Bill Solleder, marketing director for Visit Hot Springs. “You can’t take tickets, so you don’t know how many people are actually planning on getting in their cars and driving to get into the path of totality.”
Is it too late to get lodging in Hot Springs? Solleder says no, adding that while some campgrounds are full and airbnbs are doing well, there are still places to stay even though some online booking sites are showing no vacancies. “I highly recommend that you just call the hotel you’re interested in staying at, and I’m sure they’ll negotiate a rate with you, and they’ll accommodate you depending on how long you want to stay,” Solleder says.
The sun will be partially obscured by the moon in Hot Springs starting at 12:31 p.m. It will reach totality at 1:49 p.m. and remain in the dark for three minutes and 36 seconds with the partial eclipse ending at 3:10 p.m. The Hot Springs eclipse celebration begins on April 4 with a kick-off concert at Bridge Street LIVE and presentations by NASA and NOAA scientists. On April 5, Atlas Obscura’s Ecliptic Music and Camping Festival begins at Cedar Glades Park and will continue through April 8. Ron Coleman Mining will also host a festival, starting on April 6 and going through April 8, while Oaklawn Park will host an infield watch party on Eclipse Day. The Mid-America Science Museum and Garvan Woodland Gardens will also host watch parties on April 8.
RUSSELLVILLE
In Russellville, city officials have been working hard for about two years to prepare for the influx of visitors expected here, says Christie Graham, the city’s executive director for tourism. Located within the center of the path, Russellville is among the top places to see the eclipse with 4 minutes and 11 seconds of total darkness.
“We are just really kind of winding up the final organization stage,” Graham says. “We have so many visitors coming in and we are just trying to make sure that we’ve got everything prepared.”
Scientists from NASA and the U.S. Space and Rocket Center will be onsite, as well as numerous national media crews, including a crew from The Weather Channel, Graham said. Perhaps most exciting of all will be the “Elope at the Eclipse” mass wedding for 215 couples from several states who had registered as of last week. The wedding is part of the city’s Total Eclipse of the Heart Festival, which is billed as a “three-day celestial celebration” with live music, food trucks, a cornhole tournament, axe throwing, a specialty kite show and hot-air balloons (weather permitting).
Despite the large numbers expected to come to this River Valley city, Graham says there are still places to stay. “Call and check because sometimes they have a two- or three-night minimum and so you think it’s full, but they’ll work with you,” she suggests, adding that they are getting a lot of calls from people interested in the city’s many day parking options, which range from $25 to $100.
LITTLE ROCK
The capital city of Little Rock is planning to get in on the action as well, says Jeff Chastain, director of communications for the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau. The partial eclipse will begin at 12:33 p.m. with totality starting at 1:51 p.m. and lasting for two minutes and 30 seconds.
“It’s not too late (to get lodging),” Chastain says, adding that local hotels and motels still have rooms.
Those who choose Little Rock for the event have several activities they can join. The Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau is hosting a three-day (April 6-8) concert series at the First Security Amphitheater in the River Market, including The Machine Performs Pink Floyd concert. The city’s popular historic South Main Street district will host SoMa in the Dark Path of Totality Eclipse Festival starting on April 5, and will include a nighttime parade April 6; the Astro Market, an interactive science market in the Bernice Garden on Main Street; and a watch party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 8 with a viewing area down Main Street from 12th to 17th streets with seating, refreshments, viewing glasses and more. According to the somalittlerock.com website, a special area will be designated for residents so that they can “step out of their homes and onto Main Street as an inclusive community to come together for this momentous event.”
Elsewhere in the city, the Little Rock Zoo is offering three ways to celebrate the eclipse along with animals at the zoo, ranging from a pre-party picnic on April 7 to a tailgate party. (See other story this section.)
The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts will celebrate the eclipse with a week of activities leading up to the eclipse viewing party from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 8, on the museum’s Crescent Lawn. Music and a performance by Ballet Arkansas will take place before the eclipse. All visitors will receive complimentary eclipse glasses, and blankets and lawn chairs are permitted. The Museum of Discovery began gearing up for the eclipse in February with workshops for teachers and a Star Wars-themed night, and will have extended hours the weekend of the eclipse.
BUFFALO NATIONAL RIVER AND SEARCY COUNTY
Another area expected to draw thousands of visitors for the eclipse is the Buffalo National River area. The Searcy County Chamber of Commerce has put together a website for all things eclipse including lodging and events — searcycountyarkansas.org. The website notes that Outside Magazine named the Buffalo National River as “one of the seven best places to see” the eclipse with 48 miles of the river within Searcy County, which includes the towns of Leslie, Pindall, Witts Springs, Harriet, Snowball, Oxley, St. Joe, Gilbert, Big Flat and Marshall.
The Johnny Cash Boyhood home in Dyess will host an eclipse festival that includes the Arkansas Roots Musical starting on April 6 and continuing through the weekend. NASA scientist Dr. Les Johnson will discuss the science of eclipses on April 7 at the Historic Dyess Colony Administration Building and Visitors Center. Tailgating style spots ($150 for the day) are available for the day on April 8. A primitive camping package for the weekend (April 5-8), which includes tickets to the musical festival, Johnny Cash Boyhood Home eclipse glasses, and tickets to the lunch and learn event, is $400.
The path of totality will enter the state near De Queen with the area being in complete darkness for 4 minutes and 17 seconds, among the longest periods of totality. De Queen and Sevier County are hosting Sevierly Dark Fest, which will feature NASA scientist Dr. Neil Zimmerman, tethered hot air balloon rides, crafts, food, music, a talent show and a presentation by Robert Swann, a Bigfoot field researcher. The fun starts on April 6 and continues through the eclipse on April 8.
ET CETERA
The events listed here are but a sampling of the seemingly endless ways Arkansas is planning to experience the eclipse, which for many will be a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Take your time to research and find your perfect spot, keeping safety in mind. Traffic is expected to be congested with the influx of visitors. Cellular phone service could be affected. For those who live within the path of totality, your best bet may be your own backyard.