Mainstreet Toccoa Planning Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Event
Mainstreet Toccoa is gearing up for the first total solar eclipse in the U.S. in 99 years by putting together a community event for the whole family.
The eclipse happens Monday, August 21 and will be able to be observed from Oregon to South Carolina.
A number of communities in the area are planning viewing events.
In Toccoa, Mainstreet Special Events Coordinator Sharon Crosby said there will be a community viewing event at the Ritz Theatre.
“It will be held downtown in front of the Ritz Theatre,” said Crosby. “We hope to have a party and have some food and music and different things so people can enjoy it together.”
According to Crosby other activities associated with the solar eclipse are also being planned, such as a sci-fi movie.
Now you might think having the viewing party at the Ritz Theatre downtown is unusual, but Crosby said there’s a very good reason for that.
“The reason we chose to do it there is because we’re going to be live streaming NASA’s program,” said Crosby. “When it actually comes into the country, they’ll start the live stream and then we can go outside when it comes closest to us.”
One item that anyone wanting to watch the eclipse live outside will need is special eye glasses.
Without the eye glasses, you risk going blind from looking directly into the sun’s rays.
Crosby said they will be providing as many viewing eye glasses as possible free of charge.
“We will be providing some safety glasses at the event,” said Crosby. “We hope to partner with some of our downtown businesses that will help provide them from everyone. That’s a very important part of the event. We do advise everyone to have some sort of protective wear.”
You can also go online to NationalEclipse.com and order safety glasses for a minimal price.
Other communities around North Georgia will also be holding solar eclipse viewing parties.
They include events in Hart County, Rabun County, Tallulah Falls and Blairsville.
To get information on those events, you can go online to nationaleclipse.com/events.
