As the eclipse clock continues counting down, we are thirty-two days away from our next total solar eclipse experience and as the celestial stars, planets, and moon come closer to lining up for the big show so are our Solarfest plans.
The eclipse-themed weekend, April 6-8 will be full of firsts for the area with hot air balloons located at Missouri’s National Veterans Memorial. For a limited time, donations will be made for tether rides to help support the site. Then returning that evening for a free meet and greet with the pilots, and chase crews, and then a fun glow show ending the evening. A new plate will be added to the sundial on the courthouse lawn and will be unveiled commemorating the 2024 eclipse as well as the 2017 eclipse. The Sky Dome Planetarium will return with five new star shows of the Western Hemisphere at the Perry Park Center. This event sold out in 2017 and is a fun and educational event for all ages. Tickets are $3 per person and will be on sale at the Perry Park Center next week. Also, new to Perryville will be a free Foam Party held from 2 pm to 5 pm at the Warehouse Entertainment District. All ages can dance to an unforgettable event surrounding yourselves with mountains of frothy foam engulfing the party area. New bands will front the first Cruise In car show of the 2024 season. Bat Out of Hell, a Meatloaf tribute band will take the stage at 6 p.m., and then Big Love, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band will close out the evening beginning at 8 pm.
On Sunday, spend the day visiting one of our many historical cultural sites, museums, or natural areas, and then at 6 pm a new 5K Fun Glow Run/Walk will light up the city streets as they make their way around downtown. Registration for the 5K is available online with cool glow swag. Also starting at 6 pm, a new dance craze known as a silent disco will make its debut at the Warehouse Entertainment District with a lighted floor, glow lights, glow swag, and one of the best DJs in Southeast Missouri till 10 pm.
Monday will be all about the total solar eclipse! Everyone within Perry County will have a front-row seat to the eclipse with family and friends. All you have to do is have your certified eclipse glasses and look up. With several public viewing areas being advertised those traveling to our county will have options as to where they want to go. The first contact of the eclipse event will start on April 8, 2024, at 12:42 pm. Totality will be at 1:58 pm and the event will come to a close at 3:17 pm. The next total solar eclipse to pass over Missouri will not be until June 15, 2178 so make your plans now! For more information contact Trish at trish@perryvillemo.com or 573-517-2069.