The weekend stargazers and eclipse chasers have been waiting for in the U.S. has arrived, and Marshall County establishments have been preparing to celebrate.
Eclipse centered events begin tomorrow around the county. Below is a list of activities residents and visitors may enjoy through the day of the big event, Aug. 21.
Friday, Aug. 18
- An evening on the terrace: Bourbon and craft beer tasting event sponsored by CADA and featuring Paducah Bourbon Society member and enthusiast Brian Shemwell and Paducah Beer Werks owner and brewer Todd Blume. The event will host bluegrass music courtesy of The McKendrees. Tickets are $20 each, and available through the Calvert Area Development Association. Event begins at 6 p.m. at the new upstairs terrace at Kentucky Dam Village Lodge.
- Day with the StarGeezer: Kenlake State Resort Park will host radio and television personality Mark Steven Williams, aka “The StarGeezer”, with more than 40 years experience and knowledge as an amateur astronomer. Williams will provide educational background on the event; telescoping activities are planned for 5 a.m., 2 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. The park’s Aurora Landing Restaurant will host a meet the StarGeezer meet and greet event at 6 p.m.
- The Big Bear Blackout: Big Bear Resort will host members of the Louisville Astronomical Society for seminars and activities. Activities begin Friday and last throughout the weekend. For more information, call 270-354-6414.
Saturday, Aug. 19
- Breakfast with the Astronomer: Kentucky Dam Village will host Breakfast with the Astronomer with Dr. Benne Holwerda, astronomy professor at the University of Louisville. Breakfast will begin at 9 a.m. At Harbor Lights Restaurant. KDV will also host the Great American Eclipse Astronomer talk, an educational seminar conducted by Holwerda, at 7:30 p.m. in the KDV Convention Center.
- Pre-dawn outdoor telescope viewing: Kenlake State Resort Park will feature pre-dawn outdoor telescoping activities with the StarGeezer, beginning at 5 a.m. The park will also feature the StarGeezer on safely observing a solar eclipse and other topics at 2 p.m. Kenlake will conclude activities for the day with a Sky Party at 9 p.m., where participants can see views of the center of the milky way. Weather contingent.
- Eclipse Magic: The Calvert City Public Library will host a free magic show with Darshwood the Conjurer. Show will take place from 2-3 p.m.
- Saturday Summer Nights: Calvert City will host live music by “The Cruisers” at 6 p.m. in Memorial Park.
Sunday, Aug. 20
- The History, Science and Mytholody of the solar eclipse: Kenlake State Resort Park will host a presentation from Mark Steven Williams – The StarGeezer – on how to maximize the viewing experience of the eclipse. Event begins at noon.
- Kayak Demos: Kentucky Dam Village will host kayak demos from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the old beach. The park will also feature Lunch with the Astronomer with Dr. Benne Holwerda, at 11:30 a.m. At Harbor Lights Restaurant followed by the Great American Eclipse educational astronomer talk at 1 p.m. in the Convention Center.
- “E.T.: The Extraterrestrial” at the beach: Calvert City will host a showing of “ET” on the old beach at Kentucky Dam Village, as well as telescope viewing with the Louisville Astronomical Society. Event begins at dark.
Monday, Aug. 21 – ECLIPSE DAY
- Benton’s Solar Celebration: The Benton Partnership in conjunction with the Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge will host activities beginning at 9 a.m. Activities include kids games and inflatables, cornhole, a solar plunge at the Benton City Pool, and a Beat the Eclipse 5K run. Events held in H.H. Lovett Park and Clarks River Refuge.
- Total Eclipse of the Park: Aurora Community Park will host a crafters fair and farmers market. Designated viewing space from the park will also be available at eclipse time. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Breakfast with the StarGeezer: Kenlake State Resort Park will host breakfast with Mark Steven Williams at 8 a.m. At the Aurora Landing Restaurant. Williams will give a last minute update on observing techniques. At 10 a.m. The park will guide setting up telescopes for viewing.
Designated viewing areas:
- Mike Miller Park
- Aurora Community Park
- H.H. Lovett Park
- Clarks River Wildlife Refuge EERA
- Kenlake State Resort Park
- Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area will also host a variety of events at its various locations and attractions throughout the peninsula. A full list of activities can be found here.
Exact eclipse start time will vary depending on location, even within the county. The moon should begin initial contact just before noon, with totality beginning just after 1:20 p.m. Duration of totality will also vary depending on location. In Aurora, totality is anticipated to last exactly two minutes. Hardin will see a duration of one minute, 36 seconds. Duration in Benton will be one minute, 57 seconds. Calvert City duration of totality will be two minutes, 28 seconds. Gilbertsville will see the longest duration in the county, with two minutes, 31 seconds.