Get a front row seat to the Solar Eclipse August 21st!
by Annie Berman
In case you haven’t heard, there’s a major solar eclipse that will sweep across the nation on August 21, 2017 and some communities are doing more than just gathering up groups of people to watch this historic event. There will be festivals, educational events, and excursions to the best viewing locations, and millions of people coming together to witness this once-in-a-lifetime event. We’ve rounded up a whole bunch of eclipse-centric events that are happening near Thousand Trails and Encore campgrounds so you can revel in the experience with other curious campers!
Always remember to take proper safety precautions. Do not look directly at the sun and wear glasses that are meant for viewing eclipses. Also, remember to wear sunscreen. For more information about eye safety during the eclipse, be sure to visit: nasa.gov/content/eye-safety-during-a-total-solar-eclipse.
Oregon Solar Fest in Madras, OR
Listen to music, take a helicopter ride, a hot air balloon tour, and mingle with other eclipse enthusiasts at the Oregon Solar Fest in Madras, OR, August 17-22. This festival is a partnership event with NASA and is smack dab in the middle of the Path of Totality in an area they’ve dubbed, Solartown. Madras is just a one hour drive from the Bend-Sunriver RV Campground. To purchase tickets visit oregonsolarfest.com.
Eclipse Viewing at Pfeiffer Winery, Junction City, OR
Looking for a beautiful spot to watch the eclipse? Perhaps you’ll enjoy the view with your fellow wine enthusiasts at Pfeiffer Winery. Located in Junction City, OR, this winery is having a special viewing party from their Water Garden. Other festivities include special musical performances and wine tastings throughout the day. Pfeiffer Winery is within the path of totality and the eclipse will reach 99% visibility here. Wine club members can attend for free, there is a $5 fee for the general public. Pfeffer Winery is a one hour drive from the South Jetty RV Resort, and one and a half hours from Whalers Rest RV Camping Resort.
Solar Eclipse Viewing at Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, Woodburn, OR
Witness the eclipse at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm! There will be family-friendly events happening on the farm all weekend including tours, Milk Can dinners, pig roast, entertainment and more. Camping on the farm is encouraged but not required. Some events, like the Milk Can dinners, require reservations, so be sure to check their website, woodenshoe.com. The Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm is about one hour and fifteen minutes from the Mt. Hood Village RV Resort.
Solar Eclipse Fest, Long Creek, SC
The Chattooga Belle Farm will be host to the Solar Eclipse Fest 2017 in Long Creek, South Carolina. Chattooga Belle Farm lies directly in the “path of totality” and so visitors from around the world are expected to show up. This one day festival, on August 21, runs from 10am-6pm and is $15 for admission or $35 f or a VIP ticket and there will be plenty of activities including food trucks, distillery tours, astronomy talks, stargazing, drum circles, fruit picking, crafts, yard games, and more. To purchase tickets and for detailed event information, visit solareclipsefest2017.com. Chattooga Belle Farm is located about a 40 minute drive from Carolina Landing RV Resort.
Witness the Eclipse at Wickliffe Mounds, Wickliffe, KY
It might sound a little bit crazy to drive three hours just to look at the sky for two minutes… but life is short and it’s doubtful that you’ll regret seeing this once-in-a-lifetime event surrounded by a whole lot of enthusiastic eclipse fans. Witness the solar eclipse from the top of the Wickliffe Mounds archeological site, which is in the path of totality of this eclipse. The group will gather at 1pm EST on the mounds. The Wickliffe Mounds are about a three hour drive from the Diamond Caverns RV Campground. For more information on viewing the eclipse at the Wickliffe Mounds, visit parks.ky.gov.
Viewings in the Great Smoky Mountains
Bryson City is a small city along the Great Smoky Mountains, which sits directly in the path of totality. This little city is taking advantage of their prime eclipse positioning and are holding an entire weekend of events! Local businesses will participate in the “Eclipse Crawl” with eclipse-themed food and drinks and the local Fire Department will host a full-dome planetarium experience for free! Be sure to check out the downtown block party on Monday, August 21. $10 gets you parking and viewing glasses. Bryson City is located about two hours from Carolina Landing RV Resort. For more information on eclipse events happening in the Great Smoky Mountains, visit greatsmokies.com/2017eclipse.html.
To plan your viewing of the eclipse, visit our website, www.thousandtrails.com.
