Eclipse West Plains

05/08/2024

It's been a month since the eclipse, and we are still in awe and grateful to all who journeyed to West Plains to share this special event. We're probably done posting on this page, so if you're not already a follower of Explore West Plains, we invite you to like us there to keep up to date on happenings in our corner of the Ozarks. Hold on to the memories, everyone. For our out-of-town guests, come back and see us some time!

(Photo by Gary Sanders of InFocus)

05/06/2024

We're winding down posts on Eclipse West Plains, but there may be a thing or two we'll share in the next few days, including this official video from NASA. They made recordings at various locations and from various perspectives, and there is some spectacular and interesting stuff, including great footage of totality. Around the 2:15 mark is a great section of crowd reaction, but there's a lot more to enjoy. You can skip ahead and find your favorite parts.

Watch live with us as a total solar eclipse moves across North America on April 8, 2024, traveling through Mexico, across the United States from Texas to Mai...

05/01/2024

We've really enjoyed hearing about the great experiences visitors had during the Eclipse West Plains: Party in the Path. As promised in our April 22 posts on Explore West Plains and Eclipse West Plains, we have held a drawing, and Linda Marchand has won the puzzle, “The Eclipse,” donated by Sandy McNevin. Thank you to all who shared their comments, to Sandy for the nice prize donation and to everyone who was a part of the festivities. ❤️

04/29/2024

MERCH MONDAY - Reminder that remaining Eclipse West Plains merchandise is clearance-priced at 50% off! Including that we sorted through our boxes (after having multiple merchandise locations for the eclipse) and discovered there a few large insulated tumblers and shot glasses left. Come get a bargain! Ozark Heritage Welcome Center, 2999 Porter Wagoner Blvd., M-F, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

04/24/2024

Here's a recap video of the Party in the Path. Such great moments and memories. We got a little teary-eyed watching it, thinking of all the people who worked together to make it such a success. Thank you, one and all for helping, attending and being a part of the total solar eclipse experience. Enjoy the video! A huge thank you to Cockrum Media for capturing out week!

Relive Eclipse West Plains: Party in the Path as West Plains, Missouri celebrated our celestial good fortune of being in the path of totality for the solar e...

04/22/2024

Two weeks ago today, we were getting ready to experience the total solar eclipse, a special and rare event. If you witnessed the event in the West Plains area, we'd like to hear your memories about the eclipse....give us a description, share your thoughts on seeing the sun disappear, tell us how you felt. Or tell us what your favorite event from the Party in the Path was. Everyone who comments will be entered in a drawing for eclipse items, including this jigsaw puzzle, “The Eclipse,” which was graciously donated by Sandy McNevin. ❤️

04/21/2024

It's hard to believe that tomorrow it will be two weeks since we experienced totality. Here are day-of photos of activities at the West Plains Civic Center, one of the official viewing sites. Once again, Gary Sanders of InFocus did a great job capturing the mood and the fun. We're happy that so many enjoyed 'partying in the path.' If you joined us from out of town, come back and see us again sometime!

04/19/2024

The dice run was one of the Party in the Path fundraising events to benefit local nonprofits. Sponsored by Colton's Steak House & Grill, the run raised money for Christmas for Kids and area veterans.

Once again, official Eclipse West Plains photographer Gary Sanders of InFocus did a great job of capturing the action and fun.

04/18/2024

More Child Advocacy Center, Inc. Balloon Glow images from the Party in the Path! Wasn't it a great event? 🎇❤️

04/18/2024

THROWBACK THURSDAY - Today we're throwing all the way back to Sunday, April 7, 2024! 😁 The Child Advocacy Center, Inc. Balloon Glow was a special part of the Eclipse West Plains Party in the Path. There were over 3,000 tickets sold which doesn't include vendors, workers and volunteers. It was such a well-attended and well-executed event, and a good time was had by all. Here are some great images captured by Gary Sanders of InFocus.

04/17/2024

Arts activities and shows were held throughout the Party in the Path, including at The Yellow House where they held three days’ worth of music, live-painting, storytelling and more. Other organizations which participated in “Total Eclipse and the Art” were West Plains Council on the Arts, Inc. at the West Plains Civic Center, Ozark Artery in participating West Plains Downtown businesses, Harlin Museum of West Plains, West Plains Public Library, Plains Schools - Home of the Zizzers art students, OzSBI - Ozarks Small Business Incubator and Honest Imagination Day Habilitation.

Thanks to all the artists and organizations who provided a special flair to the festivities, including Gary Sanders of InFocus who was the official Eclipse West Plains photographer!

04/16/2024

Dedicated on the morning of the Eclipse, a fabulous new commemorative mural by Bolaji Ogunwo will have a permanent home in the West Plains Public Library Here are images by InFocus of the dedication and reception.

04/16/2024

More great images captured by Gary Sanders of InFocus Photography videography of the April 6 festivities at the West Plains Civic Center. Thanks to West Plains Council on the Arts, Inc. for the Sky High - Eclipse & More Art Exhibit and the West Plains Model Railroad Club for the train display shown in these photos. Of course there are lots of other great candid shots of all the fun!

Slide show for the art show, showing all the pieces on display on the mezzanine can be viewed here:
https://westplainsarts.org/?page_id=4964

04/16/2024

From the Kiwanis Club of West Plains pancake breakfast to the a Back to the future DeLorean hosted by the United Free Will Baptist Church and more, April 6 at the West Plains Civic Center was a happenin' place. Check out more InFocus candid shots of the Party in the Path.

04/14/2024

Thanks to the West Plains Second Saturday Art Stroll folks for setting up a week early for Eclipse West Plains festivities. Be sure to like and follow their page and check out what they have to offer at other times throughout the year! Also check out these great pics from Gary Sanders of InFocus.

04/14/2024

Second batch of the Neon Parade photos. Even the early-April weather was perfect! 🌟❤️ (See earlier post for more parade images.)

04/14/2024

What about that Neon Parade?! We hope you got to see it. It was spectacular. The West Plains Chamber of Commerce deserves all the credit for volunteering to take over the organization on this event. It wouldn’t have happened without Jessica Hamin-Collins and Jennifer Dryer and all the volunteers they put together. The community came forward with great support, too. Businesses offered sponsorships, the floats and entries were ‘out of this world’ and the Great Rivers Distributing Company sponsorship of the Budweiser Clydesdales was the crowning touch! Thanks to everyone who had any part in it, including Gary Sanders of InFocus for these great photos. (There are two separate parade-picture posts. Be sure tag folks as you're looking through the photos.)

04/13/2024

The West Plains Optimist Club tried something new as part of the Eclipse West Plains: Party in the Path...a duck race! Held a week ago at People's Park, it was a fun event and a fundraiser to help with all the really great stuff they do for kids in the community. Check out these images captured by Gary Sanders of InFocus, our official photographer for eclipse festivities.

04/13/2024

About this time a week ago we were setting up to get ready for the Cosmic Carnival on the south parking lot of the West Plains Public Library where we would ultimately see over 500 kids plus family members go through to play games, win prizes, bounce on inflatables, pet animals, participate in nifty science hands-on demonstrations, watch close-up magic tricks and more. Explore West Plains paid as needed to make it a free event, but volunteers made it happen by showing up and running the show.

We say a heart-felt thank you to everyone who had a part. It was such a fun day!! The community stepped up in every way to make the whole Party in the Path a special time. At the risk of leaving someone out, we're going to try to mention our carnival volunteers.

Organizations and businesses:
Always a Future for Kids
Ozark Action, Inc.
South Howell County Ambulance District
First Baptist Church West Plains
West Plains Bank and Trust Company
Keara Johnson of Keara Johnson Hair Studio
(Keara did face-painting assisted by two volunteers from Christian Campus House)
Ozark Kountry Realty - Laurie Nissen
Complete Canine Academy
West Plains Zizzer 1979 Softball
Members of West Plains Middle School Beta Club
West Plains Composite MTB Team

Individuals:
Science educator Donna Callahan and husband Rick
Trish Wigginton Logue and her daughter
Alissa Cochran
JoDee Ramseur
Shelby Amyx Smith
Karsyn Smith

Special thanks to the ASCEND at Missouri State University-West Plains staff for providing a sensory friendly space.

Total Eclipse Task Force members Jessica Neese and Library Manager Greg Carter were on hand throughout the day.

Have a look at the great photos by InFocus Photography Videography and tag your friends!

04/12/2024

Freedom Patch Fireworks and Mandy's Hot Dogs are hosting an event they've dubbed "Eclipse 2.0" on Saturday, April 13, to give vendors who were at the Eclipse West Plains - Party in the Path another opportunity to sell food and merchandise. Come on out and support this community event put together by young West Plains' entrepreneurs! (Location: Freedom Patch's 3-acre lot, 814 John N. Wiles, just south of Court Square.)

Here's the flyer! Share away! If you want to print it to pass out or hang, please do! With short notice and 2 days left, we need to spread the word fast! Thank you all who have shown this community event support so far. It's sure great to see everyone come together!

04/12/2024

Gary Sanders of InFocus Photography/Videography documented the Party in the Path, and here are highlights from one of the events he captured: the 5K at Galloway Run or Walk - Eclipse Edition. Scroll through and see who you recognize then be sure to tag familiar faces and share with family and friends. Be watching for more photos in the days ahead!

(In case you missed them, also see Gary's concert pictures we posted two days ago. All of his work is so good!)

04/11/2024

Our eclipse merchandise is now half price, so local folks, if you haven't already, now's the time to get your souvenirs at the Ozark Heritage Welcome Center, 2999 Porter Wagoner. We're sold out of some items, including some sizes and several styles of t-shirts, but there is still a good selection. We’re open 8-4, M-F. Thanks for your support of the Party in the Path! (Prices are shown with the individual images.)

04/10/2024

To document the Party in the Path, we enlisted our friend Gary Sanders of InFocus Photography/Videography. What a monumental effort he put into it! Here is the first round of photos he's releasing: the Friday night concert featuring 38 Special and The Ozark Mountain Daredevils. Thanks, Gary. Great job!

04/09/2024

Thanks everyone who joined us for totality! We'll have pictures to post and people to thank in the days ahead, but here's a wrap video with Tom Trtan KOLR KOZL done immediately after Eclipse West Plains.

West Plains was in the path of totality this afternoon as a total eclipse took place! Stay up-to-date with Ozarks Live by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok!

04/08/2024

Today's the day. Wherever you are, we hope it's in totality! Here's a great graphic to serve as one more reminder about eclipse-viewing protocol. During totality, you may observe the eclipse with the naked eye. (When you can't see any tiny part of the sun through the glasses, it's safe to take them off. As soon as the sun is visible again, put them back on.) It's an incredible experience you won't want to miss!

04/07/2024

REMINDER: 37th CASA Dodgeball Tournament this afternoon! It had to be relocated from its original location to Genesis Church. Be sure to support this great local cause and have a fun time with a little friendly competition! (Registration available at the door until noon today.)

04/06/2024

We've got a little "Back to the Future-Part 3" going on here at the Sunshine Festival at the West Plains Civic Center! Stop by and see the DeLorean and the stagecoach!

04/06/2024

Xavier Campbell and Maddie Jay were the Men's and Women's Overall winners of the 5K at Galloway: Eclipse Run this morning at Galloway Park. The event was run thanks to the help of the West Plains Zizzers Cross Country team, its coaches, and parents. There were over 100 participants from as far away as Maryland. Thank you Hirsch Feed & Farm Supply for being the presenting sponsor. Other sponsors include Wood & Huston Bank and Matt Roberts for Sheriff.