MAIN EVENT: Solar eclipse festivities begin

Music, fireworks, festivals and more are on the line up in MAIN EVENT for Eclipse weekend.

Concerts are being held throughout Downtown Poplar Bluff, with The Platters performing Friday night at the Rodgers Theatre, a Downtown music festival during the day Saturday and Night Ranger performing Saturday evening at the Black River Coliseum.

Jeff Foxworthy takes the stage Sunday evening at the Coliseum, while the Rodgers offers an afternoon showing of “Back to the Future,” and the Margaret Harwell Art Museum hosts an opening reception for Total Eclipse of the Arts.

Monday offers more festivals and events centered around the big event, the afternoon’s total eclipse.

If you’re looking for regional festivities, both Chaonia Landing and Keener Spring have activities planned.

Poplar Bluff’s main viewing station will be at the Poplar Bluff High School football field, but others are scattered around the community.

For all the details, see our complete list of activities below, or visit us online at https://www.darnews.com/totaleclipseofthebluff .

Thursday, April 4

• Poetry Slam, 6-7 p.m., WHERE Plaster Lecture Hall, Three Rivers College COST Free

• Spring Showcase, 7 p.m. WHERE Tinnin Fine Arts Center, Three Rivers College COST Free WHAT Performance by the TRC Music Department

Friday, April 5

• Karaoke, 7-11 p.m. WHERE The Camp at Lake Wappapello, 153 University Forest Dr, Wappapello COST Free

• The Platters at Rodgers, 7:30 p.m. WHERE Historic Rodgers Theatre COST $20 WHAT Live music

• Fireworks, dusk WHERE Brick’s Off Road Park COST $5

• Night Golf, WHERE Ozark Ridge Golf Course WHAT Time to be determined.

Saturday, April 6

• Wolf Creek Trail Run, 8 a.m. WHERE Wolf Creek Trail WHAT 1.7 mile walk, 6K and half marathon.

• Total Eclipse of the Bluff Music Festival, Noon-6 p.m. WHERE Downtown Poplar Bluff WHAT Food trucks, entertainment and more.

• Community Easter egg hunt, 1-3 p.m. WHERE Hendrickson Park COST Free WHAT Hosted by Second Baptist Church.

• Poplar Bluff Museum open 1-4 p.m. WHERE 1010 N. Main St. COST Free

• Live music from Just Enough, 7-11 p.m. WHERE The Camp at Lake Wappapello, 153 University Forest Dr, Wappapello COST Free

• A DeLorean will be parked at Rodgers Theatre from 3-6 p.m. Saturday, during the Downtown music festival. Visitors will be able to take photos with the vehicle. This is part of Over the Moon for the 80s, sponsored by Missouri Highlands Healthcare. COST Free

• Night Ranger in concert, 8 p.m. WHERE Black River Coliseum COST $39, and up. WHAT Hits include, “Sister Christian,” and “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me.”

• An 80s-themed photo booth will be set up Saturday night during the Night Ranger concert at the Black River Coliseum. This is also part of Over the Moon for the 80s.

Sunday, April 7

• Reception for Total Eclipse of the Arts and the Plein Air Festival, 1-4 p.m. WHERE Margaret Harwell Art Museum. WHAT Sample refreshments and stunning visual arts.

• Poplar Bluff Museum open 1-4 p.m. WHERE 1010 N. Main St. COST Free

• A screening of “Back to the Future,” will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday. WHERE Rodgers Theatre. COST The screening is free and the first 200 people will receive free popcorn. This is also part of Over the Moon for the 80s.

• Live Music from As Is, 7-11 p.m. WHERE The Camp at Lake Wappapello, 153 University Forest Dr, Wappapello COST Free

• Jeff Foxworthy, 8 p.m. WHERE Black River Coliseum COST $20-$99 WHAT The comedian was the first to perform at the Coliseum when it opened and returns for the Total Eclipse of the Bluff.

• Sam A. Baker/Otahki Lake KOA Eclipse Festival, WHERE Sam A Baker State Park/Otahki Lake KOA. COST $25 day pass. WHAT Star Gazing, 5K Fun Run, Beer Garden, Live Entertainment. Event continues into Monday, April 8.

Monday, April 8

• 4-H solar eclipse festival, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. WHERE Poplar Bluff High School. COST $5, all proceeds support 4-H. WHAT Family-oriented festival. Live music by “Chains of Mercury.” And a special appearance by KC Wolf.

• Solar Spring 5K, 7-10 a.m. WHERE The walk/run starts at PB Realty Downtown and winds through Downtown Poplar Bluff. Medals for male and female contestants in six age groups, additional prizes for best dressed.

• The Dirt Shack Eclipse Viewing, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. WHERE 508 Vine St. COST Free WHAT Music from Blake Gardner and the Farmers and Kyle Schmidt, cornhole tournament ($20 per team), family fun games.

• Solar eclipse viewing and tailgate, noon WHERE Big Whiskey’s and Fairfield Inn & Suites WHAT Specials and open view of the sky.

• Total Eclipse of the Arts and Plein Air Festival, 10 a.m. WHERE Margaret Harwell Art Museum WHAT Art, food, music.

• Educational presentations hosted by Three Rivers College, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. WHERE Tinnin Fine Arts Center WHAT Retired NASA astronaut and Poplar Bluff resident Tom Akers, 10 a.m.; Poplar Bluff native and doctoral candidate in astrophysics Isaac Laseter, 11 a.m.; and Dr. Paul Larson, instructor in physics, will explain why eclipses occur by discussing the orbits of the sun, earth and moon, noon.

• Eclipse Viewing Event, 12 pm - 4 pm WHERE Wappapello State Park WHAT During Eclipse viewing, park staff providing activities, St. Louis University onsite to give informal talks, food, drinks and other retail items.

• Eclipse watch party, 1 p.m. WHERE The Camp at Lake Wappapello, 153 University Forest Dr, Wappapello COST Free

• Chaonia Landing Eclipse Festival, WHERE Chaonia Landing Parking Lot, WHAT Vendors, food, music, viewing glasses, and a guest astronomy speaker.

• Fellowship General Baptist Church WHERE 3581 N. Westwood, Poplar Bluff, WHAT Free family event with bounce houses, food, and games

• Eclipse at Keener Springs WHERE 3425 Hwy. JJ, Williamsville, MO. COST $20 per person, Children 10 and younger Free. WHAT A day at beautiful Keener Spring and Cave with eclipse viewing at one of the most scenic spots in Southeast Missouri.

• TOTAL ECLIPSE, 1:56 p.m.

Duration 4 minutes, 8 seconds