ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Eclipse fever is taking over St. Joseph, Missouri as thousands are expected to visit the area this weekend to watch the total solar eclipse on Monday.
St. Joseph has a population of just under 80,000 people, but this weekend that number is expected to double as people from around the world visit to watch the eclipse. In fact, Speedy’s Convenience Store is even planning a watch party at 4623 North Village Drive so its customers can mark the historic event.
Click here for more 41 Action News eclipse coverage, including maps and vision safety tips.
For both Missouri and St. Joseph, the last total solar eclipse occurred on June 16, 1806 at what’s now Rosecrans Memorial Airport.
The St. Joseph Museum expects an increase in patrons. It has a lunar sample from NASA on display until October, and they’ve already welcomed tourists from England.
Nikki and Richard Turton arrived on Friday and are excited to be in the United States to watch the eclipse.
“We picked St. Joseph because it has the longest amount of exposure, for two minutes and 40 seconds,” said Nikki Turton.
The city is also experiencing a hotel shortage. According to hotels.com, there are no rooms available in the area through Monday.
Tammy Godfirnon lives in St. Joseph and is offering a room in her house on AirBnB for the total solar eclipse. Housing on the home sharing website is going for as much as $3,000 a night.
Godfirnon said she wanted to give visitors an affordable option.
“The eclipse is a really big deal and all the hotels are booked up. Everybody wants to come, so I thought well we’ll see what happens,” said Godfirnon.
St Joseph’s annual Trails West Festival is also changing for the eclipse. The three-day event has been extended to a four-day event so patrons can witness the eclipse from Civic Center Park.
