June 13, 1257, was the last time the area now known as Jefferson City was under the path of a total solar eclipse, according to Eugene Vale. And this time around, the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) has every intention of capitalizing on the event.
Vale is with the Missouri State Parks Resource Management and Interpretation Program. Ahead of CVB's presentation to about 40 people gathered Thursday night, he explained how the different kinds of eclipses occur, and what will make this year's solar event alluring to tourists and locals alike.
"You have to have some very special conditions for that to happen," he said of the total solar eclipse which will pass over the area Aug. 21. The eclipse will begin at 11:46 a.m. Central Daylight Time and last until 2:41 p.m., but its peak will only be a window of a couple minutes starting at 1:13 p.m.
The two-minute, 31-second window of totality - when the moon will completely block out the sun - is a view the Jefferson City and Mid-Missouri area is not only in a prime location to experience, but that CVB is hoping will draw thousands or even tens of thousands of people to visit.
Jill Snodgrass said the goal for now is to "plan what we can plan," whether that means 1,000 or 10,000 visitors in the area in the days leading up to Aug. 21.
Snodgrass is president of Daily Plan-It, which is leading the organization of the Capital Eclipse Celebration, with help from CVB Executive Director Diane Gillespie.
Thursday's meeting was the first public information meeting CVB will host to build community interest and involvement in the planned eclipse events.
Snodgrass called Jefferson City a "logical destination" for people in the state to come view the eclipse, particularly for those who live to the south. The influx of fellow Missourians and other tourists from across the U.S. and the world "definitely is going to stimulate our economy," she added.
She said there are 1,100 hotel rooms in the area, and they would like to see every one of them filled. Based on economic data she shared, if all of those rooms are filled for the weekend ahead of Aug. 21, that alone could stimulate the local economy with between $210,000 and $427,900. The exact number within the range depends on if the rooms are filled with individuals or up to families of four, as well as the amount of money they spend locally on food, entertainment, shopping and transportation.
Snodgrass said the average day tripper to Jefferson City spends $55 a day. If 5,000 people show up for the eclipse, this would pump another $275,000 into the local economy. If 10,000 people come, that's $550,000, and $1.1 million from 20,000 visitors.
Boosting local prospects to fill hotel rooms, Gillespie noted Aug. 21 is the first day of school at the University of Missouri. Snodgrass added Columbia's hotel rooms are already full, which would push eclipse chasers looking for lodging to Jefferson City.
Gillespie said Jefferson City's hotel rooms are 40-50 percent full right now for the Saturday and Sunday before Aug. 21.
Beyond filling hotel rooms though, the Capitol Eclipse Celebration will encompass a wide variety of other lodging and entertainment options for visitors - "not one event, not two events," but an umbrella of events, Snodgrass said.
At the North Jefferson City Recreation Area across the Missouri River, there will be car, primitive tent and RV without hookups camping options, she said. Binder State Park's camping space is already full. "Acres of parking" can be utilized at the recreation area too, she said.
A pavilion at the recreation area will be the site of an Eclipse Village Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 21 and feature eight to 10 food vendors, music and hopefully "a huge art component" of sculptures, Snodgrass said.
Gillespie confirmed limited shuttle service to the Capitol and downtown Jefferson City will be provided across the bridge - limited due to seat availability. She added there will be traffic control and other preparations made to encourage pedestrians and bicyclists to safely utilize the bridge over the weekend.
The celebration planners don't know if the state or city will declare a holiday on the day of the eclipse. Without one, parking downtown will probably be sparse.
Regardless, there will be parties, concerts and educational events sponsored by Scholastic, beginning Aug. 19 with a downtown street party featuring a free concert at the corner of Madison and High streets that will be a "temporary open container district."
No alcohol will be served Aug. 20 on the south lawn of the State Capitol, but there will be skywatching and other entertainment from 6-10 p.m., and a free Dark Side of the Moon concert featuring a Pink Floyd tribute band from 8-10 p.m.
Snodgrass also said signs are good for "a very prominent astronaut" to be part of educational events, but the specific announcement won't be made until the details are finalized.
As for the eclipse itself, there will be organized viewing events as part of the celebration Aug. 21 on the south lawn of the Capitol and at Riverside Park Amphitheatre. Snodgrass said planners are looking to sell discounted eclipse-viewing glasses in bulk ahead of time, eventually online.
She said people who want more information about being vendors, volunteers and group participants can learn more at capitaleclipse.org, and they're "really looking for input" about ideas for other educational events.