On Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cover approximately two-thirds of the state of Arkansas, potentially bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the state. Pine Bluff has curated a great weekend of festivities for residents and visitors to enjoy and make memories during this historic event.
Image Credit: www.nationaleclipse.com
On Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse dubbed the “Great North American Eclipse” will occur beginning at the Pacific coast, then ascending in a northeastern direction through Mexico, the United States, and Canada, before ending in the Atlantic Ocean. Two-thirds of the state of Arkansas will experience 100% totality, potentially bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the state. Pine Bluff will experience 99.081% obscuration which will begin at 12:33:08 p.m., and the maximum amount of the sun’s disk will be covered at 1:52:37 p.m., lasting a total of 2 hours 38 minutes, and 20.9 seconds.
The Heart and SoulAr Eclipse Festival, a weekend festival in Pine Bluff from April 5th to 8th that coincides with the solar eclipse, has been planned to assist in welcoming and entertaining eclipse visitors and locals. The Heart and SoulAr Eclipse Festival includes a variety of events to meet the tastes of the sole traveler, local folks and the entire family.
The events kick-off on Friday, April 5 at 5:00 p.m. at the ARTx3 Campus with Live@5 featuring the UAPB Jazz Ensemble where attendees will delight in the music of UAPB’s premiere jazz group that performs a variety of styles that include swing, contemporary, funk, progressive, and the standards.
Following Live@5, just two doors down at the Freedom & Blues Exhibit inside the UAPB Incubator is a special eclipse edition of Catfish Friday Blues & Soul Night beginning at 7:00 p.m. featuring Memphis legend, Ms Zeno the Mojo Queen.
Saturday, April 6 begins at 11:00 a.m. with the Space: Spray and Play activity at the ARTx3 Campus where participants will create and take home space themed art using spray-painting techniques, a memento to remember this rare and natural phenomena of the total eclipse.
Beginning at 12:30 p.m. the Pine Bluff Main Library is hosting a Solar Eclipse STEM Activity with a hands-on and interactive way to teach children about the different phases of the moon and how they change over time.
The main event of the Heart and SoulAR Eclipse Festival is the Riverfront Jazz Festival, a vibrant celebration of music, culture, and the art of jazz. From 12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., this one-day cultural extravaganza will feature an impressive lineup of renowned artists including Boney James, Lalah Hathaway, Justin Lee Schultz, Josh Vietti, and more. From smooth saxophone solos to captivating vocal performances, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. Tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite.
Also on Saturday, April 6 in downtown Pine Bluff, Port City Blues Society is hosting Grammy-nominated Duwayne Burnside at the “Blues by Budweiser” concert series at RJ’s Grill & Bar sponsored by M K Distributors from 7:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
On Sunday, April 7 from 2:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at Hestand Stadium, for those whose hearts and eyes are always looking to the sky, SoulAR Time with Jesus may be your draw as local Christians come together to lift up the name of Jesus. Several worship teams and choirs will be adding variety, and Arkansas native LB Crew, a Season 16 favorite on The Voice, will be in the mix sharing his talents.
The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce is bringing Shells & Shadows Solar Crawfish Boil to downtown on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. at the ARTx3 Art Alley. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the Chamber at 870.535.0110.
Monday, April 8, the day everyone has been waiting for, will culminate with two Eclipse Viewing Parties - one at Saracen Landing from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., and one at the Pine Bluff Main Library from 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Here are some tips from GreatAmericanEclipse.com to help prepare and make the most of the spectacular solar eclipse:
Get your eclipse glasses early. (You can get your free pair of ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses at Explore Pine Bluff, 623 S. Main Street, Pine Bluff, AR while supplies last.)
Learn the simple methods to safely view a solar eclipse. Visit eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety for detailed instructions.
Plan ahead. Visit www.explorepinebluff.com for visitor information.
Get to your destination early and try to spend eclipse night at or near your viewing location. Expect the highways and freeways to be extra busy in the aftermath of totality.
Be self-sufficient. Fill up your gas tank and bring food and water.
Check the local TV weather reports as eclipse day approaches.
Unless you are an experienced photographer, do NOT attempt photography during the eclipse.
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Written by: Ninfa O. Barnard