A total eclipse of the state

Southeastern Oklahoma gears up for once-in-a-lifetime celestial event

On Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will pass right over the southeastern corner of Oklahoma, creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience for travelers and locals alike. Planning for the event in the state has been underway for more than three years in some areas.

Oklahoma State Parks offer prime viewing locations, with some experiencing 75 to 100 percent totality. However, communities like Idabel, Broken Bow, Eagletown, Honobia and more are also preparing for an influx of sungazers seeking a full eclipse.

A full solar eclipse occurs when the moon and sun cross each other, casting a shadow that moves along a unique path across North America. This year’s eclipse focuses over North America, starting in Mexico before casting its shadow along a northeastern path across the United States and Canada. Fortunately, this year’s eclipse crosses a significant portion of the state, starting over southeastern Oklahoma around 12:28 p.m., with total coverage beginning at 1:45 p.m., lasting just over four minutes in the highest coverage areas.

According to NationalEclipse.com, Oklahoma’s mere 31 miles of the eclipse path might be the shortest distance of any state, and the path never crosses a town with a population of more than 10,000 people. Poteau, for example, is the largest town in the path, but its totality lasts only about a minute and 22 seconds.

“The centerline of the eclipse exits the state at approximately 3:07 p.m. CDT, with totality coming to an end in that location at about 1:50 p.m. CDT,” according to NationalEclipse.com “From the Texas-Oklahoma border to the Oklahoma-Arkansas border, the moon’s shadow travels approximately 31 miles along the centerline in 1 minute and 5 seconds at an average speed of 1,719 miles per hour.”

For visitors outside the eclipse area, travel will be a must to experience full totality, requiring significant planning and logistics for the communities in the path.

Logistics and planning

Jia Bain Johnson, director of public relations for Choctaw Electric Cooperative, said her region has been in planning mode for the eclipse for three years. Among the events in the area is the Dogwood Days festival in Idabel, an annual spring festival held every April. This year’s event has a unique twist.

“This year it was decided to combine Dogwood Days with the weekend of the eclipse, making it a four-day festival,” Johnson says. “The Dogwood Days/Eclipse Festival is going to be a one-of-a-kind event for this area.”

The Idabel Chamber of Commerce is also planning a finale to the event on Monday morning before the eclipse at 1:45 p.m. on April 8. Vendor forms, entry forms, etc., are available on any of the chamber of commerce websites or by calling 580-286-3305 or 580-743-6501.

“We feel we are ready, and we welcome visitors to our area,” Johnson says. “We have visited with numerous towns that have hosted the eclipse in the past, and we have taken advice on the ‘do’s and don’ts’. We are excited to be near the time to begin executing all the hard work that has gone into planning for this once-in-a-lifetime event for many of us.”

Brad Kendrick, member service representative at Choctaw Electric Cooperative and co-chair of the Dogwood Days Festival in Idabel, said the easiest way to find public viewing spots in McCurtain County is to visit the “2024 Solar Eclipse McCurtain County Oklahoma” Facebook page.

“We are expecting southeast Oklahoma to have up to 70,000 additional people in the area for the eclipse,” Kendrick says, adding that visitors don’t have to stay overnight or camp to see the eclipse.

“People can stay further out of town and even in Arkansas or even further north. There may be places to stay outside of the path, but it would still be within driving range of McCurtain County,” Kendrick says.

In preparation for the expected crowds in the area, the committee has purchased additional signage for the areas of Idabel that will have excessive traffic as well as additional staff to help with traffic control. The Idabel and Broken Bow Chambers of Commerce will also sell T-shirts and eclipse viewing glasses.

Total eclipse of the parks

Oklahoma state parks are also gearing up for the big event, Shelley Zumwalt, Oklahoma secretary of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage, says, with a new campaign called “Total Eclipse of the Parks.”

“We’re really lucky in Oklahoma because we have five parks that are in the path of totality,” she says. “To experience 100% totality at one of our state parks will be an unbelievable experience for our citizens and people visiting the state.”

Broken Bow State Park, Lake Wister State Park and Talimena State Park in southeast Oklahoma will see full totality, as will Raymond Gary State Park and Clayton Lake. As part of the special event, Oklahoma Parks will offer an eclipse package with a Total Eclipse of the Park T-shirt, sticker and eclipse glasses for $34.95. While the parks are preparing for what Zumwalt called the “high water mark of visitation,” she was quick to add that all Oklahoma state parks will be perfect places to view the eclipse.

“All of our parks are in some portion of eclipse totality, whether that’s 98% or a little bit lower,” she says. “So you could stay at Robbers Cave State Park or Lake Murray State Park in Ardmore and drive down (to southeast Oklahoma) for the day. Or you can stay there and see 98% totality at those two parks. Everybody wants to be in 100% totality, but we do have other options available, and they aren’t sold out yet.”