Eagle Pass, TX: The First American City on the Path of Totality: Organizing Eclipse Party on the Stadium

TL;DR

This paper details the organization and execution of a public eclipse viewing event in Eagle Pass, TX, highlighting community engagement, logistical preparations, and lessons learned from the experience.

Contribution

It provides a case study of organizing a large-scale public eclipse event at a US/Mexico border city, emphasizing community collaboration and outreach strategies.

Findings

Successful community engagement and outreach

Effective logistical planning for eclipse viewing

Lessons learned for future public science events

Abstract

In this paper we share the experience of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) National Solar Observatory (NSO) scientists, educators and public outreach officers organizing an eclipse viewing party at a sports complex stadium on the US/Mexico border in Eagle Pass, TX in collaboration with educators from Eagle Pass and Uvalde areas. We describe reasons we chose Eagle Pass, contacts we established with the local community, preparations for and activities set up during the eclipse viewing party, the eclipse day on April 8 2024 and lessons learned from organizing our event.