WNC prepares to celebrate Solar Eclipse
Andrews
• “The Great American Solar Eclipse” celebration will be from noon to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21, at Harold H. Hall Park. Andrews is on the centerline of the path of totality and will see 2 minutes and 39 seconds. Since the portion of North Carolina within totality is small, the Moon’s shadow will pass quickly. The total solar eclipse first touches North Carolina at 2:33 p.m. and exits at 2:49 p.m. Activities include food, live music, craft beer and wine at Hall Park on First Street. Organized by Andrews Brewing Company, Calaboose Cellars, Hoppy Trout Brewing Company, and FernCrest Winery Tasting Room. www.cherokeecountychamber.com.
Bryson City
Friday, Aug. 18
• Farmers Market – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Island Street
• Riverfront Park – Live music, 7 to 9 p.m.
• Nantahala Brewing – Hardworker Band (rock), 8 to 11 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 19
• All Around Town – Eclipse Man will be available for photos and autographs around town and at the Red Caboose at noon and 3 pm.
• Darnell Farms – Swain County Agricultural Fair & Festival, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Balsam Range (bluegrass), 8 to 10 p.m.
• Bryson City Fire Department – Free 15-minute planetarium program “Eclipses & NASA Journey to Mars” sponsored by the Marianna Black Library (donations welcomed), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Southwestern Community College/Swain County – Ceramic Arts Club Pottery Sale, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Mountain Layers Brewing – Twelfth Fret (acoustic/rock), 6 to 9 p.m.
• Riverfront Park – The Elderly Brothers (50s-70s music), 7 to 9 p.m.
• Nantahala Brewing – Jangling Sparrows (soul/rock), 8 to 11 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 20
• Darnell Farms – Appalachian Festival, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Porch 40 (rock/funk), 7 to 9 p.m.
• Bryson City Fire Department – Free 15-minute planetarium programs “Eclipses & NASA Journey to Mars” sponsored by the Marianna Black Library (donations welcomed), noon to 4 p.m.
• Riverfront Park – The Caribbean Cowboys (calypso/classic rock), 7 to 9 p.m.
• Nantahala Brewing – Rick Rushing & The Blues Strangers (blues), 8 to 11 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 21
• Block Party at the Depot – Grandpa’s Cough Medicine (bluegrass), 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and The Company Stores (rock/blues), 1 to 3 p.m.
• Solar Eclipse Train – The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will have a Solar Eclipse Train depart the Bryson City depot at noon, returning back at 5 p.m. For tickets, visit www.gsmr.com.
• Riverfront Park – Frank Lee & Friends (old-time), 1 to 3 p.m.
• Swain County Event Park (at Inspiration Park) – Andrew Scotchie & The River Rats (rock/blues), 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Lyric (rock/funk), 1 to 3 p.m. Parking fee ($10, $20 or $40 depending on size of car/van/bus), includes viewing glasses for everyone in the vehicle.
• Darnell Farms – Kick The Robot (rock), 1 to 2 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. Solar eclipse viewing party from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Nantahala Brewing – King Corduroy (rock/soul), 8 to 11 p.m. www.greatsmokies.com.
Cashiers
• The Cashiers Eclipse Festival will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21 on The Village Green. The Village Green lies directly in the path of totality and will experience darkness for 2 minutes and 23 seconds beginning at 2:36 p.m. Astronomy activities with eclipse tips and facts will be taking place throughout the day of the Eclipse. Visitors can try several local food trucks such as Glenville’s own Flip & Whip, Coach Joe Crosby, and Native Private Chef, enjoy beer and wine by Cashiers Mountain Market, and sweet treats and ice cream from Cream & Flutter. Yard games and a live music performance by Coconut Groove (classic rock) will entertain guests during the festivities. The U.S. Postal Service will be on site to sell and cancel commemorative Solar Eclipse stamps. Other commemorative items, as well as eclipse viewing glasses, will be available for purchase. Admission with donation. For more information on the event, parking and “The Great American Solar Eclipse,” visit www.ncsolareclipse.com.
Cherokee
• The “Cherokee Cultural Eclipse Celebration” will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20 and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21 at the Cherokee Fairgrounds and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. At the fairgrounds, there will be live music, storytelling, stickball, and more, throughout the two-day event, with a bonfire at 7:10 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Oconaluftee Indian Park. Admission to the fairgrounds is $25 per day for ages 6 and over, free for ages 5 and under (admission includes certified lunar viewing glasses).
Clyde
• The Haywood Community College Library will hold a “Total Eclipse Book Sale” from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 21-25 in Clyde. This solar eclipse of all book sales will feature magazines for $0.10, paperbacks for $0.50, hardbacks for $1 and arts and crafts books for $3. The books on sale will include those in the subjects of arts and crafts, gardening, natural resources, fiction, history and miscellaneous. Forms of payment accepted are cash and check. HCC’s Library is located in Building 200. For more information about the sale, call 828.565.4083.
Cullowhee
• With a total solar eclipse to occur on the first day of the fall semester, Western Carolina University is taking steps to help ensure that everyone has the opportunity to safely view the rare celestial phenomenon. And by everyone, WCU means everyone — not just faculty, staff and students — as the university is making plans for a live online video stream to allow people far away from campus to witness the eclipse Monday, Aug. 21. The live video stream will be hosted by Brandon Truitt, a 2016 graduate of WCU with degrees in communication and public science, who now is working at television station WNCT in Greenville. The online broadcast is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. with a series of live panel discussions and taped educational programming, with footage of the eclipse starting as the skies darken at approximately 2:35 p.m. The live stream will be broadcast on www.wcu.edu/solareclipse, as well as and on WCU’s Facebook and YouTube sites. On campus, WCU officials have decided that no classes will be held between 1 and 3 p.m. Aug. 21 to give students and faculty the opportunity to witness the eclipse. In addition, staff members who are able to be away from their desks or duty stations will be allowed to step outside to observe the phenomenon. Student Affairs staff members are planning activities in the vicinity of the A.K. Hinds University Center lawn and the Central Plaza fountain area, including music, food and panel discussions on eclipse-related topics.
Fontana
• The “Solar Eclipse Viewing Party” will be Aug. 20-21 at the Fontana Village Resort. Two days of live entertainment, cookouts, and more. For more information or to reserve your spot for the festivities, visit www.fontanavillage.com.
Franklin
• Lazy Hiker Brewing will host the “Blackout Blowout” Solar Eclipse celebration with Grandpa’s Cough Medicine (bluegrass) 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, Andrew Scotchie & The River Rats (rock/blues) 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, The Company Stores (Americana) 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, Troy Underwood (singer-songwriter) 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20 and The Remnants (Americana) 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20. Craft beer releases all weekend. www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.
• The Franklin Chamber of Commerce will host a solar eclipse viewing party starting at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 21, at its office on Hyatt Road. Refreshments will be served, with viewing glasses available. Parking and restrooms provided. www.visitfranklinnc.com.
• On Monday, Aug. 21, the Town of Franklin will be providing free RC Cola and a Moonpie to the first 100 eclipse viewers at the visitor information station set up from 1 to 6 p.m. at the gazebo downtown. The ton will also give away 2,000 pairs of custom eclipse glasses. Visitors can also purchase special eclipse T-shirts, magnets and Christmas ornaments at the information booth. A children’s play station will be located on Iotla Street. Town Hall’s lower parking lot will be closed off to vehicles and serve as a viewing area for residents and visitors. A free outdoor concert featuring Last Five Standing will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. at the gazebo. For more information, visit www.townoffranklinnc.com.
• Saints & Sinners will perform at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21, as part of the post-eclipse “Block Party” at Currahee Brewing. www.curraheebrew.com.
Highlands
The Highlands Eclipse Fest will run Aug. 17-21. Key events include the following:
Thursday, Aug. 17
• Solar eclipse lecture: 6:30 p.m. Highlands Nature Center
Friday, Aug. 18
• Friday Night Live: Johnny Webb Band (country) 6 p.m. Town Square
Saturday, Aug. 19
• Early history of NASA lecture: 9:15 a.m. The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center
• Twilight 5K: 4 to 9 p.m. Kelsey Hutchinson Park
• Saturdays On Pine: Tea 4 Three 6 p.m. Kelsey Hutchinson Park
• Total eclipse lecture: 6:30 p.m. Highlands Nature Center
Sunday, Aug. 20
• Space today and the future lecture: 10:30 a.m. The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center
• A brief history of the Sun: 1:30 p.m. Highlands Nature Amphitheater
• Science of the Sun and stars: 1:30 p.m. The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center
Monday, Aug. 21
• Solar eclipse viewing party: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kelsey Hutchinson Park
• Live music at Kelsey Hutchinson Park: Tyler Kittle (noon), Hurricane Creek (3 p.m.)
Maggie Valley
• The Cataloochee Guest Ranch will host the “Exclusive Eclipse Celebration” from noon to 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21. Patrons will enjoy a Cataloochee chuckwagon cookout and listen to Native American storyteller Lloyd Arneach as we wait for darkness to fall, with 360 degrees of open, unobstructed views. At 2:36 p.m., as the moon obscures 99.89% of the sun, the mountaintops of Cataloochee will be in virtually total darkness. This exclusive event is limited to 100 local attendees at $150 per person. Certified safety glasses will be provided. For reservations or more information, call 828.926.1401. www.cataloocheeranch.com.
• Cabbage Rose Gifts in Maggie Valley will host an Eclipse Street Party from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21. Live band Boomer Brothers will perform. Games for all. Bring your lawn chairs and coolers. Viewing glasses will be provided.
Nantahala Gorge
• The Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) will host a viewing party for “The Great American Solar Eclipse” on Monday, Aug. 21. With prime viewing locations at the Nantahala, Chattooga, and Ocoee Rivers, they will witness over 2 minutes of totality during this summer’s biggest outdoor event. Choose four different river adventures on the wild and scenic Chattooga River, or experience this incredible solar phenomenon from our flagship location on the Nantahala River. Bring the whole family for a full day of fun with rafting, zip lines, and flatwater paddling opportunities for all ages. For more information or to reserve your spot, visit www.noc.com.
Sapphire
• The Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society will celebrate the solar eclipse with “Total Barkness” on Monday, Aug. 21. The CHHS will be in the direct path of a total solar eclipse. Starting at noon, CHHS will be hosting a special adoption event and viewing party with the shelter pets to commemorate this extraordinary and historic event. Eclipse viewing glasses and collector’s edition t-shirts will be on sale that day, with all proceeds benefitting the animals at the no-kill shelter. For more information, please call 828.743.5752.
Stecoah
• The Stecoah Valley Center will host a solar eclipse viewing party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21. Gates open at 9:30 a.m. The 10-acre campus will be open to any and all. Free admission and free viewing glasses. Food and cold drinks for sale. Educational activities, live music and more. Event will be limited to 500 people. $5 per car parking. www.stecoahvalleycenter.org.
Sylva
• Eclipse Party at Andy Shaw Ford from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21. Sit on the hillside across from Walmart. Bring your lawn chair. Snacks and refreshments provided. Free Solar Eclipse glasses. 828.586.0900.
Waynesville
• “Paint Nite Waynesville” will hold a special “Solar Eclipse” painting celebration at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. Sign up for either event on the Paint Night Waynesville Facebook page or call Robin Arramae at 828.400.9560. paintnitewaynesville@gmail.com.
• The Waynesville Gallery Association “Total Eclipse of the Art” will be an all-day celebration, which will remain open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, in downtown. Jeweler Becky Smith will be demonstrating in Twigs and Leaves from 2 to 8 p.m. Sweet, celestial treats will be available during the day with light hors d’eurves from 5 to 8 p.m. as you enjoy the entertainment. Add sparkle to your eclipse viewing experience with bedazzled eclipse glasses you create in the gallery (as long as supplies last). The Jewelers Workbench will offer an entire case of special eclipse jewelry from 10 different artists to help commemorate the day. Jo Ridge Kelley Fine Art and Earthstar Studio’s will celebrate with Kelley’s Nocturnal Oil Paintings and Earthstar’s Unique Moonstone and Sterling Silver Jewelry. The Haywood County Arts Council will stay open late with moon-themed snacks, music and nature-themed art for the public to enjoy. Moose Crossing Burl Wood Gallery will have an eclipsing price sale, with Black and White treats, and specials on Black Walnut. At Cedar Hill Studio, there will be Celestial Celebration Memento “The Sky’s the Limit” Sonshine Promise Figurine by Gretchen Clasby.