NEWBERRY — The Total Solar Eclipse is one week away, and that means the Newberry EclipseFest begins this Friday. This four day festival will begin on Friday at 11 a.m. and go on until Monday.

Mary Alex Kopp, tourism and events coordinator at City of Newberry Parks, Recreation and Tourism, said a number of players have helped pull it all together — City of Newberry Parks and Recreation, Newberry Opera House, the Chamber of Commerce, Newberry Art Center, Ritz Theater, Newberry County Public Library, Newberry College, Piedmont Technical College and Rice Creative Marketing.

“Outside of those specific entities, we have also had other locals who stepped up and helped us out just here and there,” she said.

One of the principal planners who has provided a lot of assistance to Newberry is Janet Ivey of Janet’s Planet. Kopp said she provided materials and information on a lot of the educational activities that will be available this weekend.

Why have a four day festival for something that is happening on Monday?

“We have been told by various government and traffic mapping organizations that for someone to really get somewhere and enjoy the eclipse, they should really consider arriving three days before. We wanted to have some opportunities to provide for them when they arrive here. Our Friday activities are a little lighter than the other days because it is a work day,” Kopp said. “The other reason, why not? This is going to be the only time any of us who are coordinating the event have the opportunity to coordinate this event. This is our one chance to celebrate something that is not going to happen here again for a very long time.”

The EclipseFest Merchandise and Information Store, located at 1208 Main St., will be open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m to 8 p.m., from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday.

Friday, Aug. 18 — “Enlightened” from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Friday’s activities will focus on education and fun. Newberry Rocks the Eclipse begins that day and will take place every day during the festival to bring awareness to the Newberry Rocks community project, which is a part of the Kindness Rocks Project.

“Another day long activity is the first day of the 1900 Eclipse over Newberry at the Newberry County Public Library. This is a free exhibit of the historic sketches of the Total Solar Eclipse that occurred here in 1900,” Kopp said.

Various documentaries will be shown and the Newberry Arts Center will have a selfie frame photo booth. Marguerite Palmer said four frames that are space themed will be available. Participants will need to bring their own camera.

Friday also will have two Starry Night painting parties ($20 per person) and Improv Night at the Ritz for $10 per person. Call 803-321-1015 to sign up for the painting party.

Saturday, Aug. 19 — “Experience” from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Newberry Rocks the Eclipse will continue on Saturday plus there will be a few new attractions, one of which is Destination Mars Map, a giant vinyl map that will be laid out over the grass section of Memorial Park.

“It is from Buzz Aldrin’s ShareSpace,” Kopp said. “This depicts the topography of Mars, as well as the various landing sites of the Mars Rover missions. Essentially you can walk out onto the map and it is like you are walking on Mars.”

A variety of interactive stations will also be featured. These include a Rocket Station, Space Station and Technology Station where participants can make things like Stomp Rockets, model lunar lander, pinhole projectors and more. Ivey will be joined by Lori Bradner, Teacher of the Year from Florida, NASA engineer Gabe Gabrielle and Bob Windheuser, a technology specialist from Florida.

The Opera House will host visiting NASA astronaut Don Thomas, who will discuss his children’s book, “The Day the Woodpecker Stopped the Space Program.” He also will hold a book signing.

Two Boy and Girls Scout EclipseFest badge sessions will be held but those who want to take part will need to pre-register by emailing theritzncp@gmail.com. This event is only open to Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

Newberry is the only place with an official Eclipse event badge for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. The badge was designed by NASA patch designer Tim Gagnon. Thomas will present the badge to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts who complete the session that day.

That night, “Hidden Figures” will be the feature for the Moonlight Movie Night in Memorial Park.

McKibben Street will be closed beginning Friday between Main and Boyce streets (one block at Memorial Park) and will remain closed through Monday.

Sunday, Aug. 20 — “Engage” from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Many of the events from Saturday will continue Sunday, along with new documentaries and the showing of the original “War of the Worlds” at The Ritz at 1 p.m. The Food Truck Round up will begin at 5 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. in Memorial Park.

A Solar Shut Down Dance Party will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Memorial Park. Music will be space themed.

Beginning Sunday, the following streets surrounding Community Hall will be closed to traffic all day, beginning before dawn: Main Street from Caldwell to Nance, Boyce Street from Caldwell to Nance, and Caldwell Street from Boyce to Main. These will remain closed through Monday.

Monday, Aug. 21 — “Eclipse” from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m

Many events will continue on Monday, just with a few tweaks to the hours. A Kids Moon Bounce Fun Park will open at Community Hall and the Eclipse Watch Party will begin at 1 p.m. and end at 4 p.m. Jack Roper and the Weatherman Band and the Brendan Roberts Band will be playing in Memorial Park.

The Watch Party will be led by Janet Ivey from Janet’s Plant and Don Thomas, who will instruct everyone when it is time to put on their glasses and when it is safe to take off their glasses. Totality will begin at exactly 2:40 p.m. and last 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

Monday before dawn, the remainder of Main Street from Nance to Holman (Mower Building & Young Life) will be closed all day to traffic. Streets will reopen late Monday evening after it is deemed safe for traffic.

If you cannot make it Downtown for the Eclipse, other Designated Viewing Sites will be open from noon until 4:30 p.m. Aug. 21. A free bus to and from the sites and nearby parking will be available.

Find the link to the route at www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1im7XPPBZSXPT4BMhv3HdES7PFKY&ll=34.28100609829508%2C-81.61221160972593&z=15.

Designated viewing sites

Westview Behavioral Health, 800 Main St.: Public Parking available in downtown within walking distance. No restrooms available.

Newberry County Historic Society Museum, 1503 Nance St., behind the Public Safety Complex: Enter at the corner of Cornelia Street and Nance Street. Located on a large grassy hill that overlooks downtown. Additionally, the Newberry Museum and Gaunt House will be open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday. Portable toilets will be available.

Newberry College Football Field, 2100 College St.: Visitors can sit on the field with blankets only. No chairs will be allowed on Setzler Field. Concessions will be open for food and beverage sales. Walker Field will be open for viewing. Chairs and blankets will be allowed on Walker Field. The facilities are smoke and tobacco free. Glasses at the event will be for current students only. Stadium restrooms will be available.

Do-Si-Jo’s Corn Maze Field on Beaver Dam Creek Road in Newberry: $10 per car to enter. Reserve a space for your telescope (20 spaces available at $25 each, arrive 30 minutes in advance of opening to be directed to your space). No animals, alcohol or smoking is allowed. Drinks and Moon Pies will be sold. The entrance will close at 1:45 p.m. One portable toilet will be available. Do-Si-Jo’s is not on the official bus route. Call 770-317-7620 for advance reservations.

Designated Viewing Sites Rules

• Camping is not allowed

• Park and view at your own risk

• Parking is not permitted outside the parking zones laid out by the viewing site

• Solar Eclipse glasses will not be provided on site

• No grills, portable cookers or fryers

• No alcohol or pets allowed, but service animals will be allowed

• Large tents and pop-up tents are not permitted

The official Newberry EclipseFest patch.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_Newberry-SC-Eclipse-sample-patch.jpgThe official Newberry EclipseFest patch. Courtesy photo

By Andrew Wigger

awigger@s24514.p831.sites.pressdns.com

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.