Day of Darkness Owensboro Style

Music lovers crowd the Owensboro river front during Friday After 5

In Owensboro, Kentucky, we are stretching 2017’s Day of Darkness into a long weekend packed with events to celebrate the solar eclipse of Monday, Aug. 21.

Owensboro is located in the partial eclipse zone only 80 miles from the point of greatest eclipse near Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Owensboro will experience the effects of the eclipse from 11:56 a.m.-2:50 p.m. central time. The time of maximum eclipse in Owensboro is 1:25 p.m.

Owensboro’s weekend of events begins on Friday, Aug. 18, on the Owensboro riverfront. Join us at Friday After 5 on the banks of the Ohio River in Owensboro’s scenic, 6-acre Smothers Park. Friday after 5 is free and offers live music on six outdoor stages from 6-11 p.m. Refreshments are available at RiverPark Center and Owensboro Convention Center which sit at either end of the park–and there are many locally owned restaurants and food trucks within walking distance.
Go to FridayAfter5.com for details.

The permanent exhibit in the stained glass gallery at Owensboro Museum of Fine Art.

During the day on Saturday and Sunday, the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art will offer “The Solar Eclipse as Seen Through the Lens of Art,” a mini photography exhibition of solar eclipses by photographer/astronomers from around the world. In the interactive gallery, children can create a simple box projector for viewing the event. To learn more about the museum go to omfa.us.

On Saturday, Aug. 19, enjoy a live performance from Dark Side of the Wall, as they recreate the legendary shows of Pink Floyd’s classic era in exquisite detail.  The Dark Side of the Wall delivers an uncanny sonic reproduction of the studio and live sound of the band using vintage equipment played by exceptional musicians. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are about $30. Go to OwensboroTickets.com to reserve your seats!

On the day of the eclipse, the Owensboro Museum of Science and History will have telescopes for safe viewing and will have a projection on the side of their building in the heart of downtown Owensboro. There is also ample room for viewing in Smothers Park and other locations around town. To learn more about the Coal Mine Gallery and other exhibits at the museum, go to owensboromuseum.org.

Here is a complete listing of Owensboro’s Day of Darkness Weekend Events:

Friday, Aug. 18
Owensboro Museum of Fine Art
1-4 p.m.
“The Solar Eclipse as Seen Through the Lens of Art”
901 Frederica St.

Friday After 5
6-11 p.m.
Free live music on six stages
Smothers Park on the Riverfront

Saturday, Aug. 19
Owensboro Museum of Fine Art
1-4 p.m.
“The Solar Eclipse as Seen Through the Lens of Art”
Create a box projector activity in the Interactive Children’s Gallery
901 Frederica St.

RiverPark Center
7:30 p.m.
“The Dark Side of the Wall” Pink Floyd Tribute
101 Daviess St.

Sunday, Aug. 20
Owensboro Museum of Fine Art
1-4 p.m.
“The Solar Eclipse as Seen Through the Lens of Art”
Create a box projector activity in the Interactive Children’s Gallery
901 Frederica St.

Monday, Aug. 21
Owensboro Museum of Science and History
Projection of eclipse on the outside of the building
122 E. 2nd St.

Day of Darkness Partial Eclipse
11:56 a.m.-2:50 p.m.
Throughout Owensboro

Getting to Owensboro
It’s easy to experience this Day of Darkness on a non-stop flight from central Florida (Orlando/Sanford SFB) right into the path of the eclipse in Kentucky (Owensboro OWB). And on Allegiant Airlines, air travel is more affordable than you may realize.

Go to AllegiantAir.com to book your direct, low fare flight to Owensboro.

If you are driving, Owensboro is two hours southwest of Louisville, two hours northwest of Nashville and three hours east of St. Louis.

Staying in Owensboro
For a complete listing of hotels in Owensboro, go to visitowensboro.com/category/listings/where-to-stay/.

More Attractions
International Bluegrass Music Museum
270-926-7891
BluegrassMuseum.org

O.Z. Tyler Kentucky Bourbon Distillery
270-691-9001
OZTylerDistillery.com

Western Kentucky Botanical Garden
270-852-8925
WKBG.org

World’s Largest Sassafras Tree
270-926-1100
kentuckytourism.com/do/owensboros-sassafras-tree/11239/