WACO, Texas — On Monday, April 8, a rare total solar eclipse will see the skies darken for four minutes and 13 seconds, and Central Texas is right in the path of the once-in-a-lifetime event.
Many cities are already preparing for the eclipse with big events, and Waco is no different. The City of Waco, Baylor University, Lowell Observatory and Discovery are all partnering to put on the Eclipse Over Texas: Live From Waco event.
Over 10,000 tickets have been purchased for the event and it will reportedly feature telescopes, educational activities, food trucks and much more. Here is a full breakdown of what to know about the event.
When is Eclipse Over Texas?
Eclipse Over Texas: Live From Waco will take place on Monday, April 8, though other events will take place around the city throughout the weekend before. A full list of events can be found at this link.
The full schedule for Eclipse Over Texas can be found below:
- 6:00 a.m. – Premium Parking Opens (requires parking pass)
- 8:00 a.m. - Festival gates open to the public
- 8:00 a.m. - Complimentary Shuttle Begins
- 10:00 a.m. - Festival Begins
- 12:20 p.m. - First Contact (Moon touches Sun’s edge)
- 1:38 p.m. - Totality begins
- 1:42 p.m. - Totality Ends
- 3:00 p.m. - Last Contact
- 4:00 p.m. - Festival Ends
- 5:00 p.m. - Shuttle transportation ends
Where to go?
Eclipse Over Texas will be held at Touchdown Alley, on the grounds of Baylor's McLane Stadium, located at 1001 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The stadium and field are not part of the event area, according to the school.
A map of the event can be found at eclipseovertexas2024.com.
There will reportedly be three entry gates to the event. General Admission and VIP can enter at any of the three gates. All special passes, such as Press, Telescope/Camera Bags, Staff and Volunteers, can only enter at the Main Gate.
Where to park?
There are multiple options for parking at the event, both on-site and off-site with shuttle transportation provided.
Premium Parking
Those who have purchased premium parking can drive to the McLane Stadium parking lots starting at 6 a.m. There are four parking lot entrances. Guests are asked to have their parking passes pulled up and ready to be scanned on their phones.
Downtown Waco
Free parking is available in downtown Waco on a first-come, first-served basis. Public parking will reportedly not be available at 4th and Franklin Parking Garage.
A parking map can be found at this link.
Downtown Shuttle
Waco Transit buses will provide a free shuttle service to take guests from downtown to the event site. There is no cost to ride the shuttles.
Shuttles will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The pick-up location will be Heritage Square, located at 3rd Street and Franklin Avenue in downtown Waco.
Shuttles will drop off at Gate C of McLane Stadium, near the Main Gate. All shuttles are reportedly ADA-accessible.
No buses other than Waco Transit buses will be allowed into the parking lot.
School Bus/Tour Bus/Motorcoach Parking
Those who plan to arrive to the event on a school bus, motorcoach or tour bus need to contact Matt Penney, Baylor Parking and Transportation (matt_penney@baylor.edu). Bus parking will reportedly be limited. Drop-offs and pick-ups must be coordinated.
Priority will be given to school buses transporting school children and youth.
Things to Remember
Lowell Observatory scientist Dr. Dr. Tyler Richey-Yowell recommend people don't just look up when enjoying the eclipse, but also look at their surroundings.
"It gets colder out, the birds start chirping because they think it's nighttime, there's weird eclipse shadow shapes, it's it's a whole spiritual experience almost," Richey-Yowell shared.
The Lowell Observatory will be providing educational opportunities at Baylor's event for people to learn as they enjoy the rare phenomenon.
"There will be a STEAM area (science, technology, engineering, and math) [which] is a place for families to go," Lowell Observatory spokesperson Kevin Schindler shared. "We have astronomers and educators doing different STEAM activities to kind of celebrate the eclipse and to experience it in different ways."
Traffic is expected to be heavier than usual but Baylor Senior Director of External Affairs Krista Brinser says they will organize parking and traffic like they do a game day tailgate.
Important Information
- Eclipse Over Texas will have a clear bag policy and no re-entry will be allowed. Once inside, guests are asked to plan to stay until they are ready to leave for the day. Camera gear bags are exempt from the clear bag policy and will be subject to inspection by law enforcement.
- A list of what can and cannot be brought to the event can be found at this link.
- Seating is not guaranteed at the event. Guests are invited to bring blankets or camp chairs of their own to sit on. There is reportedly some seating in the VIP area.
- A variety of food trucks will be at the event to serve food and beverages. Outside food and drinks are not allowed.
- Alcohol is not allowed at the event.
- Eclipse Over Texas is a cashless event, Visa and Mastercard will reportedly be accepted.
For more information, visit eclipseovertexas2024.com, or email eclipseovertexas2024@gmail.com.
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