Pine Bluff plans eclipse events
Several local venues will host events celebrating the solar eclipse. On Monday, around 1 p.m., the entire state of Arkansas will have at least 94% obscuration of the sun, according to Explore Pine Bluff.com. Activities beginning the weekend include:
Catfish Friday — Catfish Friday Blues & Soul Night will feature Ms. Zeno The Mojo Queen from 7-9 p.m. today at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Business Support Incubator, 615 S. Main St. There will be free live music. Patrons are invited to attend the special edition of the popular music series. Catfish dinners will be available for purchase.
Space Painting – The ARTx3 Campus will host a Space Painting solar eclipse event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the ART Yard at The ARTSpace on Main, 623 S. Main St. This event is free for all ages. Visitors will create and take home space-themed art using spray-painting techniques, a memento to remember this rare natural phenomenon. For more information, contact Bethany Gere at bgere@artx3.org or call (870) 395-7059.
Library solar event — A Solar Eclipse STEM Activity will take place at the Pine Bluff Main Library, 600 S. Main St., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn how the moon and sun create a lunar and solar eclipse while creating a simple interactive model of the moon and sun.
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Library Watch Party — The Library Watch Part on the Lawn will be held at the Pine Bluff Main Library from noon to 3 p.m. Monday. “Join us for our Watch Party on the Lawn as Pine Bluff experiences the 2024 Great North American Eclipse,” a spokesman said.
Riverfront Jazz Festival — Riverfront Jazz Festival will be held Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. at Regional Park. The celebration of music, culture, and the art of jazz, is set to be a highlight of the Solar Eclipse Weekend. This one-day cultural extravaganza the Regional Park Lakeview Amphitheater. The festival will feature well known artists including Boney James, Lalah Hathaway, Justin Lee Schultz, and Josh Vietti.
SoulAR Time with Jesus — SoulAR Time with Jesus will be held from 2-7 p.m. Sunday at Hestand Stadium, 420 N. Blake St. Participants will hold a set apart time with Jesus. Several worship teams will lead people as they worship the one who said, “Let there be light,” and “God saw it was good.”
“We desire to give honor to the creator who redeems and restores,” a spokesman said. This is a free, family-friendly event with music, praise, and the opportunity to be a part of the kingdom.
Shells & Shadows Solar Crawfish Boil — A crawfish boil will be held from 3-6 p.m. Sunday at the Art Alley, 627 S. Main St. “Join us for crawfish, music and beer as we prepare for a historic solar eclipse. Musical entertainment will be provided by Desert Rose, a local band made up of teenagers from the area and is affiliated with Jetway Performance out of Hensley, AR,” a spokesman said. Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased by calling the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce at (870) 535-0110.
Saracen viewing party — An Eclipse Viewing Party will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday at Saracen Landing, 200 Lake Saracen Drive. Premium Eclipse Sunglasses will be provided to every participant. Live music and food trucks will be available. Details: (870) 536-0920.
UAPB Eclipse Watch Party — An Eclipse Watch Party will take place at 11 a.m. Monday outside the L.A. Davis Student Union at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, according to the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership.
“The ‘Views From the Yard’ event promises an exciting opportunity for students, faculty, staff, and the community to come together and witness the breath-taking spectacle of a solar eclipse,” according to the news release. “Attendees will have the chance to observe this rare natural phenomenon in the company of fellow enthusiasts.”
To see a countdown clock and map of the eclipse’s path of totality in Arkansas, visit https://www.arkansasspacegrant.org/eclipse-1.
A limited supply of free ice cream will be provided at the event.
“We are excited to host the Eclipse Watch Party and provide an unforgettable experience for our university community,” said Frank D. Dorsey, II, dean of Student Involvement and Leadership. “This event offers a unique opportunity for everyone to come together, witness the wonder of the cosmos, and enjoy some delicious ice cream.”
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure their glasses and spot for optimal eclipse viewing. For information on solar eclipse safety, visit https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2024-04-04/environment/arkansans-encouraged-to-observe-birds-wildlife-behavior-during-solar-eclipse/a89647-1.
Details: Frank D. Dorsey II at osil@uapb.edu or (870) 575-8866.