On August 21, 2017, millions of people across the United States will see nature's most wondrous spectacle — a total eclipse of the Sun. It is a scene of unimaginable beauty; the Moon completely blocks the Sun, daytime becomes a deep twilight, and the Sun’s corona shimmers in the darkened sky. This is truly a great American eclipse because totality will sweep the nation from the Pacific to the Atlantic. Nearly everyone in the U.S. can reach this total solar eclipse within one day's drive.

Manhattan residents don’t need to travel as far to reach “totality”. The path of the total eclipse crosses the northeastern edge of Kansas, and 56 are departing from Meadowlark on that Monday to view the eclipse in Marysville. If you are one of the 56, here’s some information to help you plan for the big day. 
    ~ We’ll be viewing the eclipse from Lakeview Sports Complex, and the seating there is what you would expect at a small town’s outdoor ballpark: aluminum bleachers. Hundreds, if not thousands, are expected to be in Marysville to see the eclipse, so we plan to arrive early in order to ensure we have seats on those bleachers and in plenty of time to see the early phases of the eclipse, which are estimated to begin at 11:37 a.m. in Marysville. Total blackout will happen about 1:03 p.m. and last for approximately 1 minute, 11 seconds.
   ~ Bring a cushion, pillow, stadium seat, etc., to make your time on the bleachers more comfortable. Persons who do not wish to sit in the bleachers are welcome to bring a lawn chair, which will be stowed in the luggage compartment of our motor coach.
   ~ Boxed lunches will be distributed after we arrive. Eat at your leisure at your seat, or at picnic tables nearby. Lunches consist of sandwich, chips, cookie, condiments, soda and water.
   ~ Restrooms at the sports complex are expected to be near our seats.
   ~ We will receive our eclipse-viewing eyewear at the sports complex. Sunglasses are NOT adequate protection when looking directly at the sun during the partial phases.
   ~ Please meet the motor coach at 9 a.m. in preparation for a 9:15 departure. Our return time to Manhattan will be about 2:30 p.m., depending on traffic.
   ~ Escorts for this excursion are Sarah Duggan, Community Relations Director, and Becky Fitzgerald, Development Director.

There are eight available seats for the Eclipse Excursion. If you would like to attend the trip, please contact Becky and Sarah at 323-3878.