Updated: The mega list of solar eclipse events in Kansas City area
The once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse is less than three weeks away, and if you haven’t made plans for viewing it, you’d better not wait much longer.
Read more: Here’s how to photograph the solar eclipse
The No. 1 option for many people around the country and the world for the Aug. 21 event is St. Joseph. That’s because the city 50 miles north of Kansas City falls smack in the sweet spot of the 70-mile-wide swath across 14 states in which the moon will completely cover the sun.
St. Joseph is bracing for tens of thousands — perhaps hundreds of thousands — of visitors. The city previously best known as the starting point of the Pony Express and the ending point of outlaw Jesse James’ life will be doing it up big for the big event (see the list below).
But plenty of other places within a relatively short drive of Kansas City will be prime viewing areas, and many have multiple-day events planned. Lathrop and Excelsior Springs in Missouri and Atchison, Kan., are among them.
Even though Kansas City itself and its immediate suburbs won’t experience the eclipse as completely as places to the north, it will be easy to find local celebrations and viewing parties. Independence Square, Union Station and the City Market are likely to be popular places Aug. 21.
If nothing else, you can grab your protective glasses, go in the front yard and look up.
Or don’t even go outside. NASA Television will offer real-time coverage of the event from coast to coast. The program will include images of the eclipse from the International Space Station and other spacecraft, as well as from high-altitude aircraft and balloons, and ground observations.
Top eclipse events
St. Joseph
When: Aug. 19-21
Info: stjomo.com/eclipse2017, stjosepheclipse.com
▪ City-approved viewing locations:
Rosecrans Memorial Airport
East Hills Shopping Center
Trails West! Festival at Civic Center Park (trailswest.org)
Remington Nature Center, riverfront area (stjoenaturecenter.info)
Heritage Park Softball Complex
Tipple Hill Winery and Vineyard (tipplehillwinery.com)
▪ Other places with special events:
Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art (albrecht-kemper.org)
Coleman Hawkins Park at Felix Street Square
Missouri Western State University (missouriwestern.edu/eclipse2017)
Mount Mora Cemetery (mountmora.com)
Pony Express National Museum (ponyexpress.org)
St. Joseph Country Club, Solar Eclipse Golf Classic (solareclipsegolfclassic.com)
St. Joseph Museum/Wyeth-Tootle Museum (stjosephmuseum.org)
St. Joseph Public Library (sjpl.lib.mo.us)
Rolling Hills Library (rhcl.org)
Lathrop, Mo.
What: Total Solar Eclipse/150 years festival including Hoedown dinner and dance, Wine and Dine, and Gospel Sing and Eclipse Viewing.
When: Aug. 18-21
Info: $8-$40. lathropeclipse.com
Atchison, Kan.
What: “Total Eclipse of the Heartland” at Benedictine College; Eclipse Aire Fest at Amelia Earhart Airport; “Eclipses, Einstein and the Fabric of Our Souls” retreat at Mount St. Scholastica Convent.
When: Aug. 18-21
Info: visitatchison.com/events/totality-eclipse
Excelsior Springs
What: BBQ Festival, Fly-in on the River with breakfast and barbecue lunch, and Solar Festival Presentation.
When: Aug. 18-21
Info: Hall of Waters, 201 E. Broadway. visitexcelsior.com/SolarFest
Smithville Lake
What: Activities will include Eclipse Horseback Weekend, Total Eclipse Boating Experience, Solar Beach Bash, Solar Trekker and Solar Spectators watch event.
When: Aug. 19-21
Info: Fees vary. visitclaymo.com/eclipse_smithville; 816-407-3400
Jowler Creek Winery
What: Kansas City Eclipse & Sips Festival. Wine, meals, stargazing and movie.
When: Aug. 17-21
Info: 16905 Jowler Creek Road, Platte City. Free-$50 for events. jowlercreek.com, 816-858-5528
Independence Square
What: The Dark Side of the Square: A Solar Eclipse Festival. Free outdoor showings of themed movies, Aug. 19; Wine, Brew and a Movie Too event, Aug. 20; block party/viewing party, Aug. 21.
When: Aug. 18-21
Info: Downtown Independence. visitindependence.com/events
Celebrations in the city
Union Station
What: Experience the Eclipse 2017. Watch party with interactive, hands-on themed programming.
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 21
Info: Science City, $13.25; Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium, $7. unionstation.org/sciencecity/events/experience-eclipse-2017
City Market
What: Total Solar Eclipse Watch Party with opening meditation followed by karaoke and aerial acrobatics troupe MoonDrop Circus.
When: 11:30 a.m. Aug. 21
Info: thecitymarket.org
Crossroads Arts District
What: Solanoir Street Art and Pre-Eclipse Festival.
When: Aug. 18-21
Info: solanoir.com
Kansas City Public Library-Central Library
What: 2017 Total Solar Eclipse: Up on the Roof. Lisa Pinsker, owner of Mindfulness Matters, will lead group meditation session; musical trio Tiny Escalators will give noon concert.
When: 10 a.m. Aug. 21
Info: 14 W. 10th. kclibrary.org, 816-701-3400
Local golf courses
What: GreatLifeKC Solar Eclipse Charity Golf Classic.
When: 7:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Aug. 21 shotgun starts
Info: Competition at 24 courses. solareclipsegolfclassic.com
John’s Big Deck
What: John’s “Black Out” Party
When: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 21
Info: $25. 928 Wyandotte. eventbrite.com/event/36275002509
Other special events
Fat Boyz Grill & Bar
What: Pieces of My Art Solar Eclipse! paint party
When: 6:30 p.m. Aug. 21
Info: $25. 129 E. Washington, Kearney. eventbrite.com/event/36560989905
Lake Doniphan Conference and Retreat Center
What: Fundraising event sponsored by Central and Midlands Mission Centers of Community of Christ
When: 2 p.m. Aug. 20-3 p.m. Aug. 21
Info: $150. 12856 Doniphan Lake Road, Excelsior Springs. lakedoniphan.com
Watch parties
Area libraries
Info: Kansas City, kclibrary.org; Kansas City, Kan., kckpl.org; Mid-Continent, mymcpl.org
Chicken N Pickle
Info: Free-$10. 1761 Burlington, North Kansas City. eventbrite.com/event/36320512631
CommunityAmerica Ballpark
Info: 1800 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. visitkansascityks.com/solareclipse2017
Downtown Liberty
Info: Glasses available while supplies last. historicdowntownliberty.org/join-downtown-liberty-solar-eclipse
Drunken Fish
Info: $30. 14 E. 14th. eventbrite.com/event/36417137639
The Farmer’s House
Info: $6. 23200 Missouri 273, Weston. thefarmershouse.org, 816-640-0133
Fence Stile Vineyards and Winery
Info: 31010 W. 124th, Excelsior Springs. fencestile.com, 816-500-6465
Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
Info: 101 E. 13th. beerknurd.com, 816-221-1900
Fountain Mortgage
Info: 8340 Mission, Suite 240, Prairie Village. eventbrite.com/event/36617865020
George Owens Nature Park
Info: 1601 S. Speck, Independence. visitindependence.com/events, 816-325-7115
Green Dirt Farm
Info: $85. 19935 Mount Bethel, Weston. greendirtfarm.com/event/eclipse, 816-386-2156
Historic Mount Gilead School
Info: $5. 15918 Plattsburg Road, Kearney. claycountymo.gov/Historic_Sites/Front_Page
Jesse James Park
Info: 3001 N. Missouri 33, Kearney. kearneychamber.org/2017/07/05/solar-eclipse-party
Johnson County parks
Info: Antioch Park (Shelter 2), Shawnee Mission Park (Theatre in the Park) and Heritage Park (Shelter 1). exploremerriam.com
Leavenworth Landing
Info: Riverfront, Leavenworth. visitleavenworthks.com/solar-eclipse-august-21-2017.html
Linden Square
Info: 602 N. 70th, Gladstone. gladstone.mo.us, 816-423-4194
Missouri Department of Conservation areas
Info: nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/activities/nature-viewing/2017-solar-eclipse
Missouri state parks
Info: Includes Watkins Mill State Park and Weston Bend State Park. mostateparks.com/2017eclipse
Paddy O’Quigley’s Pub & Grille
Info: 5317 W. 151st, Leawood. oquigleys.com, 913-601-3511
Park University
Info: Julian Field stadium, Parkville. park.edu/eclipse
Riverwood Winery
Info: 22200 Missouri 45 N., Rushville. riverwoodwinery.com, 816-579-9797
Roots, Fruits & Greens Farm
Info: $2.50-$10. 21350 Springdale Road, Easton, Kan. eventbrite.com/event/36659780390
Rowe Ridge Vineyard & Winery
Info: 11255 Leavenworth Road, Kansas City, Kan. roweridge.com, 913-721-9776
Sailboard Cove, Smithville Lake
Info: Aquarian Organization of Astrologers. $20. astrologykansasacity-aoa.com
Shatto Milk Co.
Info: $40 per car. 9406 N. Missouri 33, Osborn. shattomilk.com, 816-930-3862
Shenk Sports Complex
Info: Clinton Parkway and Iowa Street, Lawrence. physics.ku.edu/theeclipseatku
Shoal Creek Living History Museum
Info: Hodge Park, 7000 N.E. Barry. shoalcreeklivinghistorymuseum.com, 816-792-2655
Vox Vineyards
Info: $45-$75 (sold out). 19310 N.W. Farley Hampton. eventbrite.com/event/31691816075
Weston Red Barn Farm
Info: $75; includes brunch. 16300 Wilkerson, Weston. eventbrite.com/event/36217834518, 816-386-5437
Zip KC
Info: 12829 Loring, Bonner Springs. zipkc.com, 913-214-9478
Pre-eclipse programs
Johnson County Library
What: Solar Eclipse Drop-In
When: 9 a.m. Aug. 15, Gardner Branch; 10 a.m. Aug. 17, Central Resource Library.
Info: jocolibrary.org, 913-826-4600
Bonner Springs City Library
What: “Darkness at Mid-Day — A Total Eclipse of the Sun” with Jackie Beucher of Astronomical Society of Kansas City
When: 6 p.m. Aug. 16
Info: 201 N. Nettleton, Bonner Springs. bonnerlibrary.org, 913-441-2665
Mid-Continent Public Library-Blue Springs South Branch
What: Kids Lab: Solar Eclipse
When: 6:30 p.m. Aug. 17
Info: 2220 S. Missouri 7, Blue Springs. mymcpl.org, 816-229-3571
Powell Observatory
What: Astronomy Society of Kansas City.
When: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 19
Info: Lewis-Young Park, 26500 Melrose, Louisburg. askc.org/events/solar-eclipse-2017
George Owens Nature Park
What: What to Expect When You Are Expecting the 2017 Solar Eclipse
When: 10 a.m. Aug. 19
Info: 1601 S. Speck, Independence. visitindependence.com/events, 816-325-7115
Park University
What: Eclipsing Park University with Lynn Bondurant, retired NASA educational programs officer
When: 4 p.m. Aug. 20
Info: Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel, Parkville. park.edu/eclipse
Lawrence Public Library
What: The Great American Eclipse of 2017 with KU physics and astronomy professors
When: 4:30 p.m. Aug. 20
Info: 707 Vermont, Lawrence. lawrence.lib.ks.us, 785-843-3833
Key websites
visitmo.com/missouri-travel/watch-the-2017-eclipse-in-missouri.aspx
Other celebrations in the region
Carrollton, Mo.: eclipse2017carolltonmo.com
Doniphan County, Kan.: dpcountyks.com/events/2017-eclipse
Lexington, Mo.: dayofthedark.com
Marshall, Mo.: marshallmosolareclipse.com
This story was originally published August 3, 2017 at 3:35 PM with the headline "Updated: The mega list of solar eclipse events in Kansas City area."