Family-friendly event will feature live entertainment, food, bounce houses, solar-themed art tent, Heroes in Force, souvenirs, FREE bottled water and eclipse glasses!
On August 21, 2017, the sun will disappear behind the moon’s shadow. The skies over Habersham will grow dark, stars will shine and for a brief moment, day will turn into night. Experience this once-in-a-lifetime event at Habersham County’s Total Eclipse of the Park viewing party from 12 noon-4 p.m. at Pitts Park in Clarkesville.
Planning for this event has been in the works for months and, now that the moment is finally near, Clarkesville Main Street Director Mary Beth Horton says she’s looking forward to it. “This is a huge opportunity to roll out the welcome mat to the folks that are coming into our area! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and we certainly want to make the most of it- and make a good impression on people so that they come back! ”
Path of Totality
Northeast Georgia sits square in the path of totality for the eclipse. While much of the region will turn dark over the course of several hours beginning shortly after 1 p.m. Monday, only a few counties in Georgia are in the path of totality – where the sun will be completely blocked from view.
Habersham County is the first stop along US 441/GA 365/GA 15 that’s in the path of totality. The eclipse itself – which cuts a swath across the entire continental United States – will last approximately three hours, beginning in Northeast Georgia shortly after 1 p.m. and ending around 4 p.m.
Eclipse viewing times in Habersham County
ALTO: The sun will be 99.99% covered at peak but will not enter totality. The eclipse will begin at 1:06PM and end at 4:01PM, with maximum coverage at 2:37PM.
BALDWIN: The sun will be 100% covered at peak with 43.6 seconds of totality. The eclipse begins at 1:07PM and ends at 4:01PM. Totality will last from 2:37:01PM to 2:37:45PM.
CLARKESVILLE: The sun will be 100% covered at peak with 1m 45s of totality at Pitts Park. The eclipse begins at 1:06PM and ends at 4:01PM. Totality will last from 2:36:20PM to 2:38:06PM.
CORNELIA: The sun will be 100% covered at peak with 1 minute and 1 second of totality. The eclipse begins at 1:07PM and ends at 4:01PM. Totality will last from 2:36:52PM to 2:37:53PM.
DEMOREST: The sun will be 100% covered at peak with 1m 23.7s of totality. The eclipse begins at 1:07PM and ends at 4:01PM. Totality will last from 2:36:34pM to 2:37:57PM.
MT. AIRY: The sun will be 100% covered at peak with 1m 12.6s of totality. The eclipse will begin at 1:07PM and end at 4:01PM. Totality will last from 2:36:49PM to 2:38:01PM.
TALLULAH FALLS: The sun will be 100% covered with 2m 21.6s of totality. The eclipse begins at 1:07PM and ends at 4:01PM. Totality will last from 2:36:09PM to 2:38:30PM.
READ: Your ULTIMATE guide to eclipse viewing in Northeast Georgia
Crowds, schools and weather
The Georgia Department of Transportation estimates more than 50,000 visitors will converge on Northeast Georgia to view the eclipse. Other estimates reach even higher. State and local public safety officials are bracing for high volumes of traffic. “The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office will have extra patrols on during the time of the eclipse,” says Habersham Sheriff’s spokesman Lt. Matthew Wurtz. “We ask that the spectators for the eclipse stay out of the roadway so that the motoring public can travel. We also ask that the motoring public use caution while driving in the area of spectators.”
Due to traffic and public safety concerns, a number of area school districts have canceled classes due to traffic and public safety concerns. Schools are closed Monday, August 21, in Habersham, Banks, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, and White Counties.
Late Thursday, North Georgia Technical College announced it’s closing all three of its campuses in Habersham, Stephens and Union Counties on Monday due to increased concerns about traffic.
As for the weather, the eclipse day forecasts are improving. Currently, there is a 20% chance of precipitation in the forecast with the chances of eclipse-blocking cloud cover at around 30-40%.
READ: Great American Eclipse Forecast
No one is quite sure exactly what to expect given the nature of the event and the fact that, well, a total eclipse over Habersham has never happened in our lifetime. As one of the main organizers of this event, Now Habersham encourages you to read our ULTIMATE Guide To Eclipse Viewing in Northeast Georgia and plan and prepare appropriately.
While this natural phenomenon will last just a few hours, Horton says she hopes the impact will last long after the sun reappears. “We expect a tremendous economic boom for our local businesses, and we hope some of these eclipse chasers will spread the word about our beautiful area and vibrant downtown.”
How to enjoy TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE PARK
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and make an afternoon of it. Parking will be available in all downtown city lots and alongside Hwy. 197 North near the park. Overflow parking and shuttles will be provided by Bethlehem Baptist Church which is located approximately one mile north of Pitts Park on Hwy. 197 North.
There will be bounce houses for the kids and live entertainment on stage featuring Grammy-nominated pianist/composer John Burke and singer/musician Brian Buffington. Buy a picnic lunch from one of the food vendors in the park. Get crafty with your kids making pinhole projectors and other fun projects in the solar-themed art tent. Meet the Heroes in Force – Flash, Captain America, Super Girl and more.
Learn about and watch the eclipse. Pick up some souvenirs. Take home special memories.
FREE eclipse glasses and bottled water will be available in the park on a first come, first serve basis.
Total Eclipse of the Park is presented by the City of Clarkesville, Clarkesville Main Street, the Habersham Chamber of Commerce and nowhabersham.com. It is made possible by the generosity and support of community sponsors including Southern Bank & Trust, Piedmont College, The Carr Law Group, North Georgia Technical College and Norton Realty. Special thanks to Burger King of Cornelia, Artfull Barn of Clarkesville, Springer Mountain Farms, King Vision Care and Brickhouse DJ.
The sun will be gone (briefly) before you know it. Make plans now to join us for the Great American Eclipse, August 21, 2017 from 12 noon until 4 p.m. at Pitts Park located on the Soque River just off of Highway 197 North, Clarkesville, Georgia 30523.
Updated 8/17/17@8:35pm
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