TUSCUMBIA-Monday afternoons in late summer are typically a slow time at Spring Park in Tuscumbia, but that will not be the case on Aug. 21 as a huge crowd gathers to celebrate a near total solar eclipse.
A solar eclipse celebration at Spring Park will be 12:30 p.m.-2 :30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21. The eclipse is expected to reach its peak in the Shoals at 1:28 p.m. Admission is free.
The eclipse will cause the skies to darken significantly and temperatures to cool in north Alabama as the moon passes between the Earth and the sun. Although the Shoals is not in the path of totality, at the peak of the eclipse 95 percent of the sun over Colbert County will be obscured. It will be dark enough in north Alabama for street lights to automatically turn on and for planets and stars to become visible in the sky.
“It’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime event to see the skies become that dark during the middle of the day,” said Joel Kendrick, Tuscumbia’s director of Parks and Recreation. “We are going to celebrate it in a big way at Spring Park.”
The last solar eclipse of this magnitude that was visible coast-to-coast in the United States occurred in June 1918.
As the sky begins to darken on the day of the eclipse, the dancing waters and light show at the park will begin to play songs related to the sun, darkness and eclipses. There will also be activities for children and local experts to explain the mechanics of a solar eclipse and some of the folklore associated with the phenomenon.
More than 350 pairs of special solar eclipse viewing glasses will be distributed for free to those gathered at the park. Souvenir T-shirts will be available for purchase at the park.
“It’s going to be a fun day,” Kendrick said. “It will be a great day to pack a picnic lunch and come to the park and watch the eclipse.”
Susann Hamlin, president and CEO of Colbert County Tourism, said the celebration is a great way for families to spend time together while watching a historic event unfold. “It’s going to be a memorable event.”
The park’s train will operate during the eclipse event.
Hundreds of students from area schools will participate in the celebration.
