The countdown has begun on the Great North American Eclipse and reservations are officially open. Less than three hundred and forty days until Perry County, Missouri will experience its second total solar eclipse in memory. Perryville will witness 3 minutes and 46 seconds and the most eastern parts of the county such as Frohna, Altenburg and Wittenberg will max out with 4 minutes 5 seconds of totality. This will be the last eclipse you will be able to witness in your lifetime, your children’s lifetime, or your grandchildren’s lifetime without leaving Missouri.
In 2017 the eclipse drew visitors to Perry County from thirty-six states and seventeen countries. These visitors were documented through our tourism office as they sought historic sites to visit, nighttime sky viewing areas, places to eat, special eclipse activities to participate in and things to do while they awaited the celestial event. They represented families of all sizes with children of all ages, students, professionals, retirees, amateur astronomers, and scientists alike. As eclipse chasers from many different walks of life from all over the world travel to our area to be within the path of totality once again we will welcome them with the hospitality that Perry County is famous for.
Already several months ago our lodging establishments started receiving calls and inquiries as to when they could make reservations. Some of those locations accepted early bookings whereas others could only book a year in advance. Parks and natural areas are also a huge draw. As our hotels, bed and breakfasts, Airbnb’s, and campgrounds book the last remaining reservations available for our area, other communities outside the path of totality will begin to fill the demands.
