Total solar eclipse watch parties planned for April 8 in Jackson

JACKSON, Mo. (KBSI) – A series of eclipse watch parties are planned for the total solar eclipse in Jackson on April 8.

Watch parties will be held at the Jackson Civic Center, Brookside Park and in Uptown Jackson from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will feature live music, food trucks and more.

The Jackson R-2 School District and Riverside Regional Library will provide educational opportunities at the watch parties.

Jackson will be along the direct path of totality for the total solar eclipse, with four minutes and 10 seconds of totality visible in the city. That is more than double the duration during the 2017 eclipse and one of the longest times in the nation.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, blocking or partially blocking the sun’s light. This can result in a partial or total obscuration of the sun. Both will be viewable from Jackson on April 8.

A partial eclipse will begin at 12:41 p.m. The total eclipse begins at 1:58 p.m. in Jackson.

During the total solar eclipse, the sky will darken and the temperature will lower. The moon will completely block the sun’s disk during the total eclipse, only allowing the sun’s outer atmosphere called the corona visible.

There will be a watch party at the Jackson Civic Center. It is sponsored by The Cash-Book Journal, will feature musical performances by Logan Chapman from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Manitou Duo from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. T-Ravs, Tacos Don Manuel Street Food and Molon Latte will provide food options at the civic center.

The Jackson Civic Center watch party will include various children’s activities, bounce houses and storytime with Riverside Regional Library staff members.

The Brookside Park watch party, sponsored by the City of Jackson Outreach Board, will feature musical performances from Chris Welch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from Mark and Doug Rees from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. v and Curly’s Kitchen will provide food options and T-Ravs will sell drinks at the event.

The watch party in the Uptown Jackson Historic District, which will be held along South High Street and Adams Street, will include musical performances from Southern Draw from 11 a.m.

to 1 p.m. and from Lucky Suns from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The German Cook, Stockard’s Cajun Shack and other uptown locations will provide food options for visitors uptown.

At the uptown event sponsored by UJRO, Jackson High School science students will present information about the eclipse at the uptown event and an eclipse story walk provided by the Riverside Regional Library will be in windows of uptown businesses.

The Cape Girardeau County History Center will have hands on activities during the event and will have a window display of historic eclipse posters. In addition, the history center’s exhibit on local astronaut Linda Godwin will remain on display during the event.

Every location will include free public parking, restrooms/portable toilets and dedicated space for those bringing telescopes. Jackson Eclipse souvenirs will also be available for purchase at the Uptown Jackson and Jackson Civic Center watch parties, including t-shirts, stickers and tote bags. Jackson Eclipse t-shirts are currently available for purchase at The Cash-Book Journal’s office at 210 West Main Street in Jackson.

Between 43,000 and 173,000 people are expected to visit southeast Missouri for the eclipse. After this eclipse, it will be more than 300 years until another total solar eclipse is visible in this area.

“What a historic day it is going to be for Jackson,” UJRO Executive Director Erin Ressler said. “Jackson being in the path of totality is an incredible opportunity for people from all over the world to experience a piece of America’s Heartland. We have so much to showcase here in our community, and we are excited for this remarkable day.”

“The Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce is extremely excited for this event,” Chamber President Brian Gerau said. “Our chamber is dedicated to promoting tours and events like this, and we look forward to working with our other community partners to showcase this event and all the great things happening in Jackson, Missouri.”

“Jackson is in a pristine location for the eclipse, and we hope to bring national or even global attention to the city,” Community Outreach Board President Marco Otten said. “We hope by providing entertainment throughout Jackson, we will draw in more visitors and be able to keep people in town.”

“The eclipse will be a remarkable event for Jackson, and we are excited to be a part of this historic moment in the city’s history,” CBJ Publisher Gina Raffety said. “The Cash-Book Journal is thankful to our community partners who will help make this event a success.”

For more information about the events, please visit the Facebook page “Jackson MO Eclipse” or email jacksonmoeclipse@gmail.com.