How southeastern SD businesses are joining in on the solar eclipse excitement

On April 8, people will look to the skies as a total solar eclipse casts its shadow over Mexico, the United States and Canada.

This rare astronomical event is the first of its kind in seven years and will be the last for the next 20. Fifteen U.S. states will get to watch the moon traverse directly in front of the sun to some extent. According to National Weather Service meteorologist Tim Masters, the event is predicted to last four minutes and 27 seconds during the afternoon.

In Sioux Falls, spectators will only see a partial totality of about 75%, said Matt Flesche, planetarium operator at the Washington Pavilion and senior Physics student at SDSU. Beginning around 12:43 p.m., maximum coverage will begin at about 1:56 p.m. and conclude around 3:09 p.m. The closest travel destination to experience totality is southeast Missouri.

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While not directly in the path of totality, the city of Sioux Falls and neighboring areas are preparing for a glimpse of an extraordinary phenomenon and hoping for clear, sunny skies, given the last eclipse in August 2017 brought rain, preventing residents from being able to witness it.

If you’re looking for something you and your family can do to celebrate this year’s solar eclipse, Sioux Falls and other surrounding cities will be hosting a variety of related events and viewing parties.

Though not an exhuastive list, here are a few suggestions for local festivities to attend.

What's happening in Sioux Falls?

Wells Fargo CineDome & Sweetman PlanetariumEvent: “Totality” film showingTimes/Dates: 4 p.m. April 1-4.; noon and 4 p.m. April 6; 4 p.m. April 7.; 12:15 p.m. April 8Location: 301 S. Main Ave.Cost: $5, members are $4. You can purchase tickets online or at the Box Office in the first-floor lobby. Details: A new, 25-minute planetarium show about the history of eclipse watchers, how often they happen and how to safely view one. There will also be arts and crafts for kids, including building your own eclipse viewer.More info: washingtonpavilion.org or call (605) 367-6000

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Siouxland Library, Ronning Branch in the Story Room Event: Kids Discover - Eclipse ClassTime/Date: 3:15-4 p.m. April 2Location: 3100 E. 49th St.Cost: Free but registration encouragedDetails: Participate in hands-on activities and experiments about eclipses. Solar eclipse glasses will be available while supplies last.More info: siouxlandlib.org or call 605-367-8140

Downtown Library in the YS Program RoomEvent: Kids Discover - Eclipse Make-N-TakeTime/Date: 2-4 p.m. April 6Location: 200 N. Dakota Ave.Cost: Free but registration encouragedDetails: Come learn about eclipses and make a craft. Solar eclipse glasses will be available while supplies last.More info: siouxlandlib.org or call 605-367-8700

Siouxland Library, Prairie West BranchEvent: Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL) Times/Dates:10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 6 and 1-4 p.m. April 7Location: 7630 W. 26th St.Cost: FreeDetails: Learn about the science of the solar eclipse through various independent activities. Solar eclipse glasses will be available while supplies last.More info: siouxlandlib.org or call 605-978-6899

Wells Fargo CineDome & Sweetman PlanetariumEvent: Experience the Total Solar EclipseTime/Date: Noon-2 p.m. April 8Location: 301 S. Main Ave.Cost: $8 - Tickets available soon. Eclipse glasses are $5 for two or $3 for one.Details: At 12:15 p.m., the film Totality will be showing. A live total eclipse streaming event will start at 12:45 p.m. in the full-dome theater (complete visibility at 1:30 p.m.). Live presentations on how and why an eclipse occurs. Snacks such as gourmet ice cream, popcorn, candy and beverages will be available for purchase at Parlour. More info:washintonpavilion.org or call (605) 367-6000

Severance BrewingEvent: Eclipse Viewing PartyTime/Date: 1-3 p.m. April 8Location: The Cascade at Falls Park, 701 N. Phillips Ave. #110Cost: FreeDetails: Free eclipse glasses will be provided, as well as free BOGO Lunar Lagers (while supplies last). Come watch the eclipse out on the patio and front railing (weather permitting).More info: Facebook event page, severancebeer.com/events or call (605) 271-5480

Brookings

The NookEvent: A Solar Eclipse Night with Dr. Judy VaondruskaTimes/Date:5:30-6:30 p.m. or 7-8 p.m. April 2Location: 314 Main Ave., Suite 3Cost: Free but must RSVP as space is limitedDetails: Partnered with SDSU Physics Professor, Dr. Judy Vondruska who will have a presentation with fun facts, safety tips and hands-on activities. Karma's Korn will be on site for COSMIC popcorn and drinks for purchase. Attendees are encouraged to bring an empty cereal box to create your own viewer. Each participant will receive a free set of certified safe viewing glasses. The Nook will have extra viewing glasses available for purchase.More info: Facebook event page or call 605-697-5838

SDSU Campus, Dakotronics Engineering HallEvent: Eclipse Viewing and Modeling EventTime/Date: 1:30-2:30 p.m. April 8Location: 1250 8th St.Cost: FreeDetails: The Phys 216 students (Physical Science for Early Childhood) will be in front of Daktronics Engineering Hall viewing and modeling the eclipse.More info: Call (605) 690-5335, (605) 688-5544 or email Jill.Fier@sdstate.edu

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Vermillion

Edith B. Siegrist Vermillion Public Library in the Kozak RoomEvent: Solar Eclipse Presentation Q&ATime/Date: 6-7 p.m. April 3Location: 18 Church St.Cost: FreeDetails: Solar eclipse presentation and Q&A with NASA Partner Ambassador, Geoffrey Gray-Lobe.More info:Facebook event page, vermillionpubliclibrary.org or call (605) 677-7060

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USD Campus, near the Muenster University Center and “Legacy” statueEvent: Solar Eclipse Viewing Party Time/Date: 1:30-2:30 p.m. April 8Location: 414 E. Clark St.Cost: FreeDetails: The University of South Dakota Physics Department will host a solar eclipse viewing party in collaboration with NASA. The event will include telescope viewing, demonstration materials, a live broadcast of the eclipse and interaction with the physics faculty and graduate students. Free eclipse safety glasses and snacks will be provided.More info: Contact Dr. Joel Sander at (605) 658-6828 or call (877) 269-6837

Sioux City, IA

Sioux City Public Museum at the Museum PlazaEvent: Solar Eclipse Watch Party Time/Date: 12:30-3:00 p.m.Location: 607 4th St.Cost: FreeDetails: Come view the partial solar eclipse at the Museum Plaza. Attendees may borrow free safety glasses, as well as bring blankets, lawn chairs and lunch.More info: siouxcitymuseum.org or call (712) 279-6174

St. Paul, MN

Bell Museum - University of MinnesotaEvent: 2024 Eclipse CelebrationTime: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 8Location: 2088 Larpenteur Ave. W.Cost: Museum and Planetarium Combo - $21 for adults; $18 for adults 65+; $16 ages 3-21; ages 0-2 years is free. UMN students can visit both places for $5 with a student ID. Bell Members are free. Attendees can also just visit the museum or planetarium for regular admission costs. Tickets can be purchased in advance online, over the phone at (612) 626-9660 or in person on the day of the event. Limited edition eclipse safety glasses are available for purchase at the Curiosity Shop at $3 for one pair or $5 for 2 pairs. Parking is available for $6 off Larpenteur Ave. Pay stations only accept credit cards. All outdoor activities are free.Details: Come view the partial eclipse at the museum! There will also be a variety of solar-focused activities, a livestream of the eclipse, a new eclipse flipbook pattern and expert astronomy staff to answer questions. More info: Facebook event page, bellmuseum.umn.edu or call (612) 626-9660

Have something to add? Email vbender@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: 12 solar eclipse events happening in southeastern South Dakota