Solar eclipse watch party planned in El Dorado
Much of Arkansas has a frontrow seat for the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8 and agencies across the state have been preparing for the influx of visitors.
A chunk of of central Arkansas is also within the path of totality, meaning areas where the moon will entirely blot out the sun for several minutes.
El Dorado and Unions County are not within the expected path of totality but could experience a peak of around 98% totality, according to Carl Freyaldenhoven and Darcy Howard, two representatives from the Central Arkansas Astronomical Society who gave a presentation recently on the event at Barton Library.
According to a 2023 report from the Arkansas Department of Transportation, up to 1.5 million people are expected to travel from outside the state into Arkansas along with 500,000 Arkansans who will travel from their residences to the path of totality.
Because El Dorado is outside the path of totality, officials do not expect that the city will experience an outsized influx of visitors. However, at least one event is planned to for local residents and anyone else in town who wishes to experience the rare event with fellow community members.
Karen Hicks, VP of membership and events at the El Dorado/Union County Chamber of Commerce , said the Chamber felt a community event at least for local residents was fitting for the rare occurrence.
“I spoke with city hall, the airport and [Union County Office of Emergency Services director] Bruce Goff, and there’s pretty much a consensus that we won’t have an influx of people in El Dorado. Even all the DOT maps show people leaving El Dorado, and I contacted all the hotels in my contacts and there’s no influx of rooms,” Hicks said.
“Anything we see, I think, will be day-of, people an hour-and-ahalf up the road may stop here. But we… wanted to create something where the community can come together.”
The Chamber has partnered with the South Arkansas Arts Center for a watch party, Hicks continued, that is set to be held in the parking lot at SAAC on April 8.
“Mike Means — this is a big passion of his — will be our ‘guide.’ We’ll have glasses thanks to Barton Library and will be set up and have food trucks available, music and [eclipse] literature,” she said.
The watch party is set to begin around noon on April 8. Glasses will be $5 and free for students, according to a flier for the watch party.
Jonathan Estes, airport manager at the South Arkansas Regional Airport, said that community members are also welcome to visit the SARA on April 8 to watch the eclipse. The airport will not be hosting an official event but instead welcoming anyone who wants a central location to watch the solar event.
“There’s a lot of airports across the state in the path of totality, and a good number of them are hosting events. Since we’re not in the path of totality we’re not expecting a massive turnout, but if you don’t want to go into town you’re welcome to come out to the airport,” Estes said.
Those who visit the airport can set up chairs around the front entrance on the airport lawn, he said. The airport will have about 100 eclipse glasses on hand to give out on a first-come first-serve basis.
Barton Library will have free eclipse glasses available on April 6 and April 8 at the front desk, according to a social media post by the library.
The glasses will be available from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on April 6 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the day of the eclipse.
The glasses are free but limited to two per person.