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Capital City preparing for total eclipse

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri’s capital city is gearing up for an event that will draw tens of thousands of people to the region: the solar eclipse.

On Monday, August 21, for the first time since 1869, Missouri will experience a total solar eclipse, in which the sun will be fully covered by the moon. It will be the first solar eclipse visible coast to coast since 1918, and will be visible in 14 states diagonally from Oregon to South Carolina. It just so happens that the Show-Me State will offer some of the longest periods of total darkness. Jefferson City will experience around 2 and a half minutes of total darkness around 1:15 p.m.

The eclipse will last roughly two-and-a-half minutes, but thousands upon thousands are traveling to areas that will be affected by the eclipse. The city expects to draw anywhere from 10,000 to 50,000 visitors, with hotel rooms throughout the area already sold out.

It’s a rare event, so much so that Gov. Eric Greitens has allowed every state worker in Cole County to take the day off from work. The event has even drawn in NASA, who will be broadcasting the total solar eclipse live from Jefferson City as one of their seven chosen locations. NASA will also be bringing with them the Journey to Tomorrow traveling NASA exhibit which will be open to the public that Sunday and Monday.

As for Jefferson City, it’s celebrating the eclipse in its own way: a three-day festival-like celebration, filled with several activities that end with a viewing party on Monday. Downtown Jefferson City will be shut down for the event, with streets closed, and wristbands for the events will be sold for $2.

Here’s the full schedule of events:

Saturday, August 19
Camping at Ground Zero
Hotter N Hell 5k Fun Run 9:00 a.m.
Mini Carnival 11am-9 p.m.
Eclipse Crop Circle Corn Maze
Downtown Jefferson City Street Party 6-9 p.m.

Sunday, August 20
Scholastic Education Series/Journey to Tomorrow Exhibit on the Capitol Lawn 1-5 pm
Missouri River Regional Library Solar Eclipse Activities 1-5 pm
Mini Carnival 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Eclipse Crop Circle Corn Maze
Total Eclipse of the Park Experience at Riverside Park 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Dark Side of the Moon Concert on the Capitol Lawn 8-10 p.m.

Monday, August 21
Total Eclipse of the Katy Bike Ride 9:30 a.m.
Scholastic Education Series/Journey to Tomorrow Exhibit on the Capitol Lawn 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Skywatching & Entertainment on the Capitol Lawn 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Eclipse Village Festival in North Jefferson City 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Eastside Business Association Viewing & BBQ 10 a.m-2 p.m.
Mini Carnival 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Eclipse Crop Circle Corn Maze