Solar Eclipse Extravaganza Planned at Grand Lake State Park - Bernice Area

State Park Offers Great Place to View Historic Solar Eclipse Event

All eyes will be looking skyward Monday, Aug. 21, in anticipation of the first total solar eclipse to cross the continental United States in one hundred years.

The Great American Total Solar Eclipse, as some are calling this solar eclipse, will follow a path along a stretch of land less than 100 miles wide from Oregon to South Carolina. Those viewing the eclipse along this path will see totality, which is the complete blocking out of the sun by the moon, revealing the solar corona.

Even before the skies begin to darken, the Nature Center at Grand Lake State Park - Bernice Area will be hosting a Solar Eclipse Extravaganza to celebrate this historic event.

Park Naturalist Amanda Wiley has announced that the park will host three days of fun, solar eclipse-related activities before, during and after the event.

“This weekend’s Saturday and Sunday events at the Bernice Nature Center will tie into the solar eclipse. We’re calling it a Solar Eclipse Extravaganza,” Wiley said. “We have planned several fun activities that will address the science of a solar eclipse, the myths and the facts, as well as how to safely view the eclipse.”

The Solar Eclipse Extravaganza begins on Saturday, Aug. 19, and continues through Monday, Aug. 21. On Saturday and Sunday, Solar Eclipse Extravaganza events will be held at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Although the Nature Center is normally closed on Mondays, it will be open on August 21, for this special total solar eclipse event. Activities are planned for 10, 11 and 11:30 a.m., at noon, 12:30 p.m. and from 2 to 4 p.m. (See list of activities and times at the end of this article.)

In addition to programs explaining the science of a total solar eclipse, arts and crafts activities are planned that will offer a hands-on learning experience. Those in attendance will create their own solar eclipse using paper plates, turn toilet paper tubes into eclipse viewers and make ultraviolet light detectors. Everything will be provided for the arts and crafts activities.

All events, even the arts and crafts, are free and open to the public. Donations are welcomed and appreciated.

The time of the solar eclipse will vary from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., depending on the viewing location. So, between 11 a.m. and noon on Monday, Wiley and those attending the Solar Eclipse Extravaganza will head to the state park's swimming beach to view the solar eclipse. Everyone is invited to bring their lunch and enjoy a picnic on the point during the eclipse.

Northeastern Oklahoma should see just over 90 percent totality with the remainder of the state in the 80-90 percent range. With an anticipated 93 to 94 percent totality range, Grand Lake State Park - Bernice Area will be a great place to view this stunning celestial display.

The Nature Center has approved solar viewing glasses available for $2 each. The supply is limited with only a few remaining. So, if you miss the do-it-yourself solar eclipse viewer activity, be sure and bring your own viewing glasses.

There will also be commemorative Solar Eclipse Extravaganza buttons available for $1.

After the eclipse, Wiley invites everyone attending to visit the Nature Center again where all of the solar eclipse arts and crafts activities will be available.

A total solar eclipse is an unforgettable experience. Get the most out of this historic event at the Solar Eclipse Extravaganza at Grand Lake State Park - Bernice Area.

For more information on the Solar Eclipse Extravaganza, visit the Grand Lake State Park - Bernice Area Facebook page or call (918) 257-8330.

The Nature Center is currently open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. From November through February, it will be open the same hours Monday through Friday.

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Remember: If you're planning on watching the solar eclipse, never look at a partial solar eclipse without proper eye protection. Looking directly at the sun, even when it is partially covered by the moon, can cause serious eye damage or blindness. During totality, when the sun is completely covered by the moon, is the only safe time to view the eclipse with the naked eye. Oklahoma will not experience totality, so don't take any chances and use eye protection.

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Grand Lake State Park - Bernice Area Nature Center

Solar Eclipse Extravaganza Schedule of Activities

Saturday, Aug. 19

10 a.m. Solar Eclipse: The Myths, the Facts and how to safely view the eclipse.

1 p.m. Wild Eats! This is the regular feeding time for the many animals that call the Nature Center home, including a coyote name Wile E., a raccoon named Stevie Wonder, an Africa spurred tortoise, a rabbit and a variety of reptiles and creepy crawlies. The public is invited to and watch the animals eat their lunch.

3 p.m. Eclipse Art: The Sun and Moon Craft. Using paper plates and your creativity, we will create our own solar eclipse.

Sunday, Aug. 20

10 a.m. Eclipse Art: The Sun, Earth and Moon. While getting crafty, we will learn how eclipses happen.

1 p.m. Do-It-Yourself Solar Eclipse Viewers. Using recycled items from the Nature Center, we will create eclipse viewers.

3 p.m. Eclipse Art: Using Chalk. This fun craft will help us discover what we will see during a total solar eclipse.

Monday, Aug. 21

10 a.m. Do-It-Yourself Solar Eclipse Viewers. Using recycled items from the Nature Center, we will create eclipse viewers.

11 a.m. Ultraviolet Light Detectors (Craft). Learn about ultraviolet light and why it's important.

11:30 a.m. The science of the solar eclipse and how to safely view it.

Noon Picnic in the park on the point. Gather with us at the swimming beach to view the eclipse.

12:30 p.m. Come out to the point to view the solar eclipse with us.

2-4 p.m. All of the eclipse crafts will be available to make at the Nature Center.