The day of the Great American Eclipse, as it is being called, will be chock-full of viewing events all over the county. Wherever Jefferson Countians are that day, it’s a sure bet everyone will stop and look up at a little past 1 p.m., when totality occurs.
Jefferson College
Jefferson College will host a solar eclipse-viewing event with a variety of family-friendly educational activities from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 21 on the Hillsboro campus, 1000 Viking Drive. The campus will open at 8 a.m. and themed events will begin at 9 a.m. There will be a parking fee of $5 (cash only) per vehicle entering the campus on a first-come, first-served space basis.
Concessions, drinks, refreshments, viewing glasses, and T-shirts and other souvenir items will be available for purchase. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and coolers (subject to random checks). No alcohol or tobacco (including e-cigarettes) are allowed on campus. Eclipse and solar system scale models will be set up, and visitors may view a live streaming video feed from NASA.
Activities for all ages include:
■ Educational demonstrations
■ Kids Zone with games and a petting zoo
■ Guest speakers and topical presentations
■ Arts and entertainment
■ Telescope-viewing stations
■ Pinhole camera making
■ Citizen science activities
■ Balloon launch
■ Cosmic ray detecting
Due to the number of anticipated visitors, classes at all Jefferson College locations will not physically meet that day. However, alternative instruction online or through other options will be offered, depending on each individual instructor. For more information, go to www.jeffco.edu.
Blackout in the ’Boro
The Greater Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a solar eclipse-viewing event at the Hillsboro Civic Club, 10345 Business 21. Parking will be $10 per vehicle (cash only) and includes one pair of eclipse glasses while supplies last (courtesy of Regional Eyecare in Hillsboro). A Kids Corner and play area will be set up, and music will be provided by Scottie Kemp. Food and beverages, as well as Hillsboro Eclipse T-shirts and viewing glasses, will be available for purchase. Blankets, chairs and coolers are welcome. For more information, visit Hillsborochamberofcommerce.com or stlouiseclipse2017.com
Northwest Chamber of Commerce
The Northwest Chamber of Commerce will hold a solar eclipse event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 21 at Fore Honor Deer Creek USA Golf and Event Center, 5300 Dulin Creek Road, in House Springs. Parking is free and eclipse glasses will be available at no charge while supplies last. Rich Wiedemann will sing the national anthem. The event also will include a fireworks demonstration and the release of more than 300 pigeons.
No coolers or outside food or beverages are allowed. Concessions will be available for purchase.
Sunrise solar event
The Sunrise R-9 School District will host a solar eclipse event from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the outdoor classroom near the baseball field at 4485 Sunrise School Road in southern Jefferson County. Families are encouraged to pack a lunch and plenty to drink, as well as bring a blanket or chairs. The first 300 people will get a free pair of viewing glasses. For more information, visit www.sunrise-r9.org.
American Legion eclipse party
American Legion Post 253 in Festus will hold an eclipse party at its hall, 849 American Legion Drive. Gates open at 9 a.m. and parking is $5 (free for members). An open observation area will be available for viewing, and food and drink will be available for purchase. The clubroom also will be open to the public. Glasses will not be provided and no coolers are allowed. For more information, call 636-937-3000 or 636-933-3981.
Fenton church viewing party
Fenton United Methodist Church also will hold an eclipse viewing party from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the church, 800 Gravois Road, in Fenton. There will be themed activities, and solar viewing glasses and food will be available for purchase. For information, call 636-343-5010.
VFW Post 3777
The VFW Post 3777, 900 VFW Drive, in Festus will hold an eclipse party that will include happy hour specials all day. A lunch consisting of a hamburger or hot dog and chips will be offered for $2. For more information, call 636-937-5400.
First Christian benefit viewing
First Christian Church of Hematite, 3711 Hwy. P, west of Festus will offer a viewing event on the church grounds. The parking lot will open at 9 a.m. Admission is $10 per vehicle, $5 for walkers, and children may attend for free. Bottled water will be available for $1, and viewing glasses will be sold for $1each while supplies last. Proceeds from the event will benefit the church’s Navajo mission trip in 2018. For more information, call 636-937-5273.
Re-enactors off camping, viewing
Camping will be available Aug. 19-22 at the Fort Hill Ramrods, a historic frontiersman re-enactment club at 9401 Goldman Road in Hillsboro. The cost to rent a site for primitive tent camping is $45, and for campers, it’s $75 or $100 if electricity is included. Day passes are also available for the day of the eclipse. There will be games and activities for children, with movie nights both Saturday and Sunday. The private campground is located far from light pollution. Potable water is available, as well as shower facilities. Many campsites are shaded, and a tent will be set up with fans and a water mister. Bagged ice will be available for purchase, along with food and beverages. There are several centrally located picnic tables, and fire rings and wood will be available for primitive campsites. On the day of the eclipse, the live feed from NASA will be broadcast on big-screen TVs under a tent on the grounds. For more information or to reserve a spot, visit www.hillsboroeclipse.com.
Redeemer eclipse-viewing event
Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1620 Boyd Street, in De Soto will host an eclipse-viewing event beginning at 8 a.m. There will be barbecue, bratwurst and hot dogs for sale outdoors and cookies, soda, chips and water bottles inside. A cooling station will be set up with nurses in attendance, and babysitting for small children will be available. The church plans to be stream NASA video as well. Viewing glasses and event shirts will be available for purchase. For more information, call 636-586-8903.
Wyman Event Center eclipse event
The Wyman Event Center will host an eclipse viewing event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 600 Kiwanis Drive, in Eureka. The event will include lunch (picnic or indoor), an eclipse viewing with eclipse-viewing glasses and an adventure element. The cost for the event is $30 per person. To pre-register your group (minimum of 20 people), please contact Angela Warren with Wyman Events Development at angela.warren@wymancenter.org.
