Excelsior Springs Solar Eclipse Festival

 

On August 21, 2017, the sky will darken as a solar eclipse takes place over our entire nation. In the path of complete totality is our little town of Excelsior Springs, so we are using it as a way to celebrate! The City is planning a festival in conjunction with the event and inviting vendors, artists, and entertainers to come for the viewing of this historic event!

For months we have been putting together plans for the big day. Luckily, our festival falls right on the tail end of the annual BBQ Fly-In, which features hundreds of barbecue contest vendors that will embark on our downtown. The barbecue festival committee has been instrumental in offering the solar eclipse festival with resources for our event. They’re providing electricity, amenities, and sponsoring costs for solar eclipse glasses. We are truly grateful to their sponsorship and support!

Click here for more information on the BBQ Fly-In on the River! 

In addition to the vendors that will be set up around the circle drive at the Hall of Waters, those visiting can also attend a question answer session with Jackie Beucher, Vice-President of the Astronomical Society of Kansas City on Sunday. For a complete schedule of events (that will continue to be updated as we get closer to the big date!) click here!

There are a number of different area events taking place at the wineries, Watkins Mill State Park, and in Kearney. We hear the Elms Hotel is booked but there are still quite a few other lodging opportunities for those wanting to come to Excelsior for a stay at that time. Click here to see lodging options!

My husband, Jason, designed a fun logo for us to use for the event, inspired by the Mayan tiles that adorn the Hall of Waters:

If you are interested in participating, either by being a vendor or providing entertainment, please reach out to me and let me know! Our vendor applications can be found by clicking here.

Here’s a cool map showing the state and all the places that will be in the path of totality provided by the Excelsior Springs Museum and Archives:

Here in Excelsior Springs, we should have a viewing time of 2 minutes and 40 seconds! That’s amazing compared to the rest of the country! We will also have solar eclipse glasses available for safe viewing for everyone! Here’s a map showing the times across the nation:

Because school will be in session, Red Cross Pharmacy of Excelsior Springs is purchasing safe viewing glasses for all of the students and staff that day! Teachers are planning fun activities around the event to make it memorable for the students.

If you have ideas on what you would like to see for the festival, please let us know! Many thanks to Mayor Pro Tem Sharon Powell, City Councilwoman (and my Mom!) Sonya Morgan, Jim and Cheri McCullough of the BBQ Festival Committee, DEP Director Lyndsey Baxter, and the Excelsior Springs Police and Fire Department for being a part of the organizing committee for this event! It’s sure to be a great time!