FARMINGTON, Mo. — The Great American Eclipse is happening later today, and Farmington is one of the few spots in the path of totality where it will be dark for about two and a half minutes in the middle of the day.
Thousands of people from across the U.S. and worldwide are expected to gather in Engler Park for the 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' watch party. This will be Farmington's second solar eclipse in the past seven years.
The Farmington Regional Chamber has been planning the party since January.
The watch party starts at 11 a.m. with food trucks, live music, and vendors. It'll wrap up around 1 p.m.
Schools have been canceled in Farmington so families can enjoy the rare event together.
Hotels in the area have been booked for weeks now, and Airbnbs have been filling up with people from as far as Germany and Peru.
"I know that there are people coming in from different states. There's a lady who came in yesterday; she bought ten T-shirts because she has company coming from Pennsylvania. We have someone else coming in from Michigan. We have people coming in from Peru. We have people coming in from Germany. There are people coming in from all over the world to watch the eclipse here in Farmington," said Deena Ward, Director of Events & Operations at Farmington Regional Chamber.
It'll also be very safe in Farmington, with a significant police presence on standby if anything goes wrong.
With thousands coming into town, Farmington's Mayor Larry Forsythe hopes the crowds will also trickle down to all their businesses.
"It's very exciting for the city of Farmington. I hope it's good. We have a lot of small-town businesses, and I hope that they are all affected by this, too. It'll benefit us very much with all the exposure," said Mayor Forsythe.