On August 21, for the first time in over 100 years, a coast-to-coast full solar eclipse will occur. Though the St. Augustine area will only reach 90% coverage, this is something you will not want to miss out on. We’ve rounded up a few ways to get the most out of your 2017 solar eclipse experience.
Collier-Blocker-Puryear Park
10 North Holmes Boulevard
St. Johns County, in partnership with NASA @ My Library, is hosting a free solar eclipse viewing celebration. Residents and visitors are invited to bring lawn chairs and view the solar eclipse, the first coast-to-coast eclipse in over 100 years. Safety glasses, provided by the Space Science Institute, as well as solar-filtered telescopes and binoculars will be provided to participants to view the eclipse.
Fort Matanzas
8635 A1A South
From Friday, August 18, to Monday, August 21, when the eclipse takes place, Fort Matanzas will host activities for the whole family. Free glasses for viewing the eclipse will be available, and kids can earn special Jr. Ranger stickers through some of the planned activities in the Fort Matanzas Visitor Center. Park rangers will offer demonstrations and discussions about the significance of solar eclipses in history, culture, and science throughout the experience, from the beginning of the eclipse at 1:17 p.m. until 4:15 p.m., when the eclipse will finish.
St. Johns County Library Systems
Libraries around the county
St. Johns County, in partnership with NASA @ My Library, is hosting multiple solar eclipse-themed events throughout the County to celebrate the rare eclipse. Solar eclipse-viewing glasses will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last, and patrons must be present in order to obtain a pair of glasses.
Florida Water Tours
282 Yacht Club Drive
In order to observe the eclipse unobstructed, take a tour on the water! Bring a small cooler, tote bag, or backpack of your favorite beverages and snacks to enjoy on the boat while during the special 2-hour tour. They will provide special solar eclipse glasses. The eclipse will peak at 2:48:58 pm EDT, when the moon obscures 89.7% of the sun.
St. Johns River State College
2990 College Drive
Come to the St Augustine Campus Library to view the total eclipse of the sun that will cross America via livestream from the NASA TV Website. Although the eclipse will not be total in St Augustine, a partial eclipse of the sun is expected to appear in St Augustine 1:17 pm to 4:12 pm on August 21. A limited amount of protective glasses will be available for those who want to look directly at the eclipse.
Sawgrass Marriot Golf Resort & Spa
1000 Pga Tour Boulevard
The Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa is hosting a solar eclipse viewing party on Cascades Deck at 1pm. Attendees can celebrate the moon’s path crossing in front of the sun with eclipse-themed activities such as “make your own pinhole viewer,” sun catcher painting and other earth-moon-sun crafts. The event will also feature live entertainment, specialty cocktails (the Eclipse Martini and the Sudsy Eclipse with layered drafts Guinness and Shock Top) and culinary options like pork sliders, calzone, salads, and desserts. The entry fee is $18.
University of North Florida
University of North Fl Drive
The UNF Physics Department, UNF Student Union, and UNF Campus Life will host an eclipse viewing party from 1:30 to 3:30pm at the Coxwell Amphitheater next to the student union, building 58. Physics students and faculty will be onsite to answer questions. A limited number of viewing glasses and telescopes will be provided to safely view this event. Hawaiian shaved ice will be available for students with a valid Osprey 1Card. This event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to park in Lot 18, near Harmon Baseball Stadium, building 27. Visitor parking costs $2.
