An educational sticker in the City of Pittsburg’s Space Alley on Quitman Street in downtown is pictured March 22. Pittsburg community leaders and business owners are expecting the town’s population to double or triple thanks to those who’ll be coming to view the April 8 total solar eclipse. (Jordan Green/Longview News-Journal Photo)

The April 8 total solar eclipse won’t treat all towns in East Texas the same. Some will be in the path of totality, meaning they’ll be in total darkness for minutes. Others will still see some of the sun’s light shining from behind the moon.

But no matter how much light will or won’t shine, cities and towns across the region are planning events to celebrate the celestial event. Here’s a breakdown of eclipse-themed events happening around East Texas.

This list is not exhaustive. Many events cost money, and some require reservations. Check with event organizers for more information.

Across most of East Texas, the moon will begin to cover the son around 12:24 p.m. April 8. Cities from Wills Point to Texarkana will experience totality sometime between 1:41:40 p.m. and 1:46:56 p.m. that day, according to National Eclipse, which provides information about the event for cities across the nation. The eclipse will be over shortly after 3 p.m.

Tyler

The Rose City will be in the path of totality, so people are invited to celebrate “Totality in Tyler” on April 8 — and to party during the “Weekend ‘Til Totality” leading up to it. Here’s a breakdown of eclipse-themed events provided by Visit Tyler.

Art show: Artists Dace Kidd and Cassie Edmonds will host an eclipse art show April 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Cassie Edmonds Mosaics, 124 S. College Ave. in Tyler. For more information, call (903) 360-3069.

Animal events: The Caldwell Zoo will offer commemorative treats and gifts April 6 through 8. For more information, visit caldwellzoo.org/totality-tyler-weekend/.

Hip to be square: On April 8, people can view the eclipse in Tyler’s downtown square, listen to live music and patronize local businesses with eclipse-themed deals. The event begins at 10 a.m.

Drink and watch: True Vine Brewing, 2453 Earl Campbell Pkwy., and Sola Bread will host an eclipse viewing event beginning at 11 a.m. April 8.

Views from city parks: People can view the eclipse at two Tyler parks on April 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Lindsey Park, 12557 Texas 364 Spur W, and Faulkner Park, 410 W Cumberland Road. There’s no admission fee, but the city Parks and Recreation Department will sell customized eclipse-viewing glasses for $3 per pair. For more information, call (903) 531-1370.

Views from state park: Tyler State Park is also billing itself as an eclipse viewing location. The prime spot will be the Northside Day-Use Swim Area. Visitors are encouraged to buy a day pass to the park, arrive early and bring water and other supplies they will need. For more information and to buy a day pass, visit tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/tyler.

Outdoor lunch: The Goodman-LeGrand Museum and Gardens will host a “Lunar Lunch on the Lawn” event April 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event will include lawn games, music and a tour of the museum. Tickets must be purchased in advance. To do so, call (903) 531-1286. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/tylerlunchonthelawn.

Whata-view: Whataburger will host an eclipse party April 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its 1717 SH-323 Loop South location. Games, giveaways and a photo booth will be part of it. People are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

Eclipse education: The Discovery Science Place, 308 N. Broadway Ave., will host planetarium shows April 7 at 2 and 3 p.m. On April 8, the museum will have special activities and planetarium shows hourly from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’ll be an eclipse viewing location. Eclipse glasses will be for sale. For more information, visit discoveryscienceplace.org/special-events/.

Party at the mall: Broadway Square Mall will have games, bounce houses and more. A carnival will be in the JCPenney parking lot, and the first 2,000 attendees will receive free eclipse glasses. For more information, visit broadwaysquareeclipseviewingpa.splashthat.com/.

Black Out party: The Texas African American Museum, 309 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., will host a “Total Solar Eclipse Black Out Festival” April 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event will be a way to “witness the wonders of God’s creation.” For more information, call 903-218-1447 or visit https://5fc5b9f6a68df.site123.me/.

Up on the roof: People can view the eclipse from the rooftop of the One Eleven event venue at 111 E. Erwin St. during an event from noon to 4 p.m. April 8. People who purchase tickets to the event will receive viewing glasses, a tote bag, lunch and more. To purchase tickets, visit tinyurl.com/totalityatoneeleven.

Eclipse with Yogi: The Jellystone Park Camp – Resort, 5583 FM 16, will be a viewing location for the eclipse April 8. To make reservations for a stay, visit jellystonetyler.com/solar-eclipse.

Wine and watch: The Odd Fellows Wine Bar, 220A W. Erwin St., will host a viewing party April 8 starting at 11 a.m. For more information, call (903) 515-9838.

Tyler Junior College events

Central Campus

• Noon to 3 p.m. April 8 — Community Viewing Party, Pat Hartley Field; Telescopes and alternate viewing methods

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 8 — TJC Spring Fling and Viewing Party, Intramural Field; Free crawfish, hot dogs and nachos while supplies last, plus live music featured each hour, including: 11 a.m., Bluez Boyz; noon, Jewel Kirkendoll; 1 p.m., Heather Harper; and 2 p.m., Steven Hibbard

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 8 — TJC Earth and Space Science Center; Outdoor viewing party, livestream inside the Hudnall Planetarium dome theater

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 8 — Rogers Student Center

• 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. — Rogers Nursing & Health Sciences Center

• Livestream Locations

• Apache Rooms, Rogers Student Center
• Rogers Palmer Performing Arts Center
• Rogers Nursing and Health Sciences Center
• TJC Earth and Space Science Center

Tyler Junior College West

• 1 to 2:30 p.m. April 8 — Viewing Party, RTDC Patio/Front Law; Free Dairy Queen Blizzards, drinks, games, music and more

For more information on these Tyler events and more, isittyler.com/p/events/solar-eclipse.

Tyler will experience one minute and 49 seconds of total darkness at 1:43:33 p.m.

Longview

While Longview won’t be in the path of totality, that isn’t stopping the city from celebrating. Visit Longview is hosting “Livin’ on the Edge in the ‘View,” a weekend packed with events across town.

Lunar learning: On April 8, the Longview Public Library, 222 W. Cotton St., will host an eclipse viewing party from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free eclipse glasses, snacks, activities and more will be available.

Sun and moon yoga: The Longview Arboretum and Nature Center, 706 W. Cotton St., will host an eclipse viewing party beginning at 11 a.m. Food will be available, and people can participate in sun/moon yoga if they bring their own mats.

Backyard bash: The Longview Mall, 3500 McCann Rd., will host an eclipse viewing party in the Back Yard from noon to 1:30 p.m. Attendees are invited to bring lawn chairs. Food trucks will be set up. The first 100 attendees will receive free eclipse viewing glasses. For more information, visit llongviewmall.com/events/total-solar-eclipse-watch-party/.

People in Longview will experience a near-total eclipse — about 99.83% of the sun will be covered, according to Visit Longview. The partial eclipse begins at 12:25:50 p.m. and will end at 3:05:34 p.m. Maximum darkness will occur in Longview at 1:45:35 p.m.

For more information on all the events planned for the weekend of the eclipse, visit visitlongviewtexas.com/309/Eclipse.

Lindale

Lindale, which will be in the path of totality, has a weekend full of events slated April 6 through 8.

The Total Eclipse of the Park series, hosted by Visit Lindale, will take place at the Darden Harvest Park, 202 Cannery Row; the Picker’s Pavilion, 205 E. North St.; and The Cannery, 75 Miranda Lambert Way. Activities begin at 11 a.m. daily.

An Art Experience, scientific demonstrations, food trucks and shopping will be at the pavilion April 7. Activities for families and children will continue, and a Cosmic Costume Contest will take place. At sundown, crowds can watch “Back to the Future” at the park.

On April 8, the Art Experience and food trucks will be available again at the pavilion. The park and pavilion will be eclipse viewing locations. The day’s events will conclude at 5 p.m.

For more information about the Total Eclipse of the Park events, and to learn about entering the car show or costume contest, visit visitlindale.com/totaleclipseofthepark.

Also in Lindale, the Total Eclipse at The Sundown, 8159 CR 313 W., will last from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 8. Food and music will be available, and patrons can buy hand-made and “thrifted” goods. The 80-acre property and pasture will give spectators a chance to see the solar phenomenon. To purchase tickets and learn more, visit tinyurl.com/4pb4akns .

Pittsburg, Mount Pleasant

Pittsburg and Mount Pleasant community members will host a number of events in the days before the eclipse and on April 8. Both towns will be in the path of totality and are expecting thousands of people to visit their communities.

Check out the Tyler Morning Telegraph’s in-depth story on how those communities are gearing up for the eclipse here: tinyurl.com/3cp8jm4t .

Gilmer

Gilmer residents are getting ready to celebrate the eclipse, too, as it darkens the Upshur County seat. Gilmer will be in the path of totality, experiencing 2 minutes and 25 seconds of darkness at 1:44:25 p.m.

Overnight campout: At Camp Gilmont, 6075 Texas 155 N., people can stay the night of April 7 and watch how the April 8 eclipse affects animals. Hiking, disc golf and more will be available as well. People can book cabins or lodge rooms or come for the day of April 8. Costs for the event vary and do not include lodging. To learn more, visit tinyurl.com/gilmonteclipse.

Civic engagement: The Gilmer Civic Center, 1218 U.S. 271 N., will host an event with food trucks and vendors April 8 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Attendees should bring their own lawn chairs. There is no admission charge.

Four-day campout: Prairie Creek Craft Market, 7545 Newt Road, will host an event called “Total Eclipse on the Farm,” a four-night stay for campers beginning April 5. No one will be allowed to come to the farm on the day of the eclipse; participants must sign up for the duration of the event. Various artistic demonstrations, events and more are included. To purchase tickets, visit tinyurl.com/prairiecreekcampout.

Kilgore

Kilgore won’t be in the path of totality, but people still still be able to see most of the sun’s light turn to night on April 8.

Lunar library: The Kilgore Public Library, 301 N. Henderson Blvd., will host an eclipse viewing party from 1 to 2 p.m. April 8. Eclipse glasses and snacks will be provided while supplies last.

Ring of fire: Arabella of Kilgore, 2103 Chandler St., will host an eclipse viewing party April 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Ring of Fire,” a movie about singer Johnny Cash, will play in the retirement home’s theater at 10 a.m. An eclipse-themed lunch will be served at noon; yard games will begin at 1 p.m. For more information, call (903) 500-2139 or visit tinyurl.com/kilgorearabellaeclipse.

Wine and watch: Britt’s Wine and Dine, 400 N. Garcia St., will host a lunch party for those who want to watch the eclipse from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit tinyurl.com/brittseclipseparty.

Quitman

Quitman will have the sights and sounds of the eclipse April 6 through April 8. The town will be home to the Northeast Texas Eclipsefest, 639 CR 3135, featuring several bands. Bands will play from noon to 9:30 p.m. April 6 and 7.

On April 8, they’ll play before the eclipse begins and stop “whenever,” according to the website. To purchase tickets, visit www.netxeclipsefest.com/.

Wills Point

Wills Point will be in the path of totality, and some are pointing travelers toward a fun celebration of the eclipse there. The town will experience four minutes and 20 seconds of totality beginning at 1:41:40 p.m.

Downtown fun: On April 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., activities will fill the downtown area as part of the Eclipse on the Bricks event. Food and retail vendors, a car show, children’s area with bounce houses and an art contest are part of the event. For more information, contact the Wills Point Chamber of Commerce by calling (903) 873-3111.

All about eclipses: Lake Tawakoni State Park will host “Eclipse 101,” featuring a park ranger who’ll teach people about eclipses, on April 8 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The program is free with park entry. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/jbyuvh7v .

Daingerfield

Daingerfield is yet another town getting ready for a once-in-a-lifetime event. The town will experience 3 minutes and 1 second of darkness beginning at 1:44:57 p.m., according to Eclipse 2024, another website with data about the event.

All about eclipses: Daingerfield State Park will host “Eclipse 101,” featuring a park ranger who’ll teach people about eclipses, on April 8 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The program is free with park entry. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/jbyuvh7v .

Marshall/Jefferson

Marshall and Jefferson aren’t in the path of totality, but they’re close enough that folks will get a mostly obscured view of the sun.

Rooftop party: Rueggenbach Brewing Co., 108 W. Houston St., will host a rooftop eclipse watch party from noon to 2 p.m. Only 100 tickets are available for the event, which includes music, a cash bar and more. The event will benefit the East Texas Alzheimer’s Alliance. For more information and to buy tickets, visit tinyurl.com/2e456msu .

Actors and action: A group of Jefferson community theater members will host an eclipse viewing party at the Jefferson Lion’s Club Park, 515 E. Jefferson St., from 1:27 p.m. to 3:06 p.m., according to a news release. People are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.

Chandler

In the path of totality and with close proximity to Tyler, Chandler is prepared for visitors. Events include:

Total Solar Eclipse and Wine in the Vines from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 8 Green Goat Charcuterie Boards, bottles and glasses of Green Goat Wine will be available for purchase.

Chandler’s Total Eclipse event kicks off on April 6 with an art show, food and shopping vendors, and activities for children to learn more about the eclipse. A street dance will begin at 7 p.m., and T-shirts will be available for purchase. With each t-shirt purchased, you will receive a pair of solar sunglasses, which allows you to view the eclipse without getting eye damage.

Where will you be?

Want to see if you’ll be in the path of totality? The East Texas Council of Governments has developed an online tool allowing you to determine whether you will be by plugging your address into a web map. To use the tool, visit tinyurl.com/vx7sdeuw .

Taking a peek

Cities around East Texas are planning events to celebrate and view the April 8 total solar eclipse. To learn more, check out this story in the latest edition of ETX View magazine.

If you’d like to host your own eclipse-viewing party, NASA offers some tips to make the event a success. Read more here.

Eclipse safety

If you’re planning to view the eclipse, make sure to do so safely. According to NASA, you won’t need to use protective eyewear to view the eclipse during the moment of totality, when the moon completely covers the sun.

But to safely view the eclipse before and after, you’ll need to wear eclipse glasses, which shield your eyes from the sun’s rays, or use an eclipse viewer.

The American Astronomical Society recommends buying glasses from a certified vendor to ensure that they’ll keep you safe. Visit eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/viewers-filters to learn more. 

Read more about eclipse-viewing safety from NASA by visiting science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/safety/.

Several East Texas cities will be along the path of totality — the area where the moon completely covers the sun — during the April 8 total solar eclipse.

Here’s a rundown of some East Texas cities along the path, how long the totality will last in each one and when it will begin, according to nationaleclipse.com.

Mineola: Three minutes and 44 seconds, 1:42:45 p.m.

Quitman: Three minutes and 56 seconds, 1:42:55 p.m.

Lindale: Three minutes and eight seconds, 1:42:58 p.m.

Sulphur Springs: Four minutes and 21 seconds, 1:42:59 p.m.

Tyler: One minute and 49 seconds, 1:43:33 p.m.

Paris: Four minutes and two seconds, 1:44 p.m.

Bogata: Four minutes and 20 seconds, 1:44:07 p.m.

Pittsburg: Three minutes and 31 seconds, 1:44:14 p.m.

Mount Pleasant: Three minutes and 53 seconds, 1:44:17 p.m.

Gilmer: Two minutes and 25 seconds, 1:44:25 p.m.

To learn more about which towns and cities will be in the path of totality and when, visit https://eclipse2024.org/.