The small town of Waxahachie, Texas, is preparing for an influx of visitors as a total solar eclipse is forecast to pass through the area. Overcast skies may pose a threat to the viewing experience, but businesses in the town are optimistic and excited for the event. Waxahachie is located along the path of totality, where daytime darkness will follow a narrow corridor from Mexico’s Pacific coast to Texas and 14 other states all the way to Maine and the eastern fringes of Canada. This will be the region’s first total solar eclipse since 1878, with the next one not expected for almost another 300 years.
Local businesses in Waxahachie are gearing up for the eclipse with special events and promotions. The Oily Bar Soapery is hosting a Bubble Blackout weekend featuring eclipse-themed soaps and giveaways. The Celebrity Cafe and Bakery is also getting into the spirit with eclipse-themed treats. Despite concerns about the weather potentially impacting the viewing experience, residents and business owners in Waxahachie remain hopeful and enthusiastic about the upcoming event. They are expecting a large number of visitors for the 4 minutes and 20 seconds of totality on Monday.
In nearby Williamson County, residents are also eagerly anticipating the eclipse. The newly opened River Ranch County Park is sold out and ready to host hundreds of visitors on Monday. Stacie Kenyon, owner of Main Street Marketplace in Liberty Hill, is inviting people to watch the eclipse from her boutique and escape inside if it rains. While the weather forecast may be a cause for concern, the community is still looking forward to the rare and exciting event. Visitors from out of town, like Ed Yuhara from California, are making special plans to view the eclipse in Texas after being rained out during a previous eclipse in Oregon.
Despite the threat of clouds blocking the view, people in Waxahachie and surrounding areas are determined to make the most of the total solar eclipse. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is drawing visitors from far and wide, with hotels fully booked and businesses bustling with excitement. For many, witnessing the eclipse is a visual and physical experience that they may never have the opportunity to see again in their lifetime. The community is coming together to celebrate this cosmic wonder, despite the uncertainty of the weather. Totality won’t sweep across the U.S. in this way again until 2045, making this event even more special for those lucky enough to witness it.
