Eclipses are an exciting phenomenon. They are rare occasions when we can look at up at the heavens and say something very different is happening right now. I am thankful for science letting us know exactly what is happening and when eclipses will be happening. Can you imagine being caught off guard? Instead, throw a a party to celebrate this rare eclipse opportunity! Get some eclipse solar viewing safety glasses because otherwise it is not safe to look directly at the Sun during an eclipse. Here are several important pointers for your eclipse party.
What is an Eclipse?
Here is how NASA explains it: “An eclipse is an awe-inspiring celestial event that drastically changes the appearance of the two biggest objects we see in our sky: our Sun and Moon. On Earth, people can experience solar eclipses when Earth, the Moon, and the Sun line up.”
What is a Total Solar Eclipse?
A total solar eclipse will be visible on April 8, 2024, as it crosses from Texas to Maine! A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. This means that during daylight hours, it will grow dim, then completely dark, and then dim again as the moon passes between us and the sun.
Where and When Can We See The Toal Solar Eclipse?
According to NASA, “Weather permitting, the first location in continental North America that will experience totality is Mexico’s Pacific coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT. The path of the eclipse continues from Mexico, entering the United States in Texas, and traveling through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The eclipse will enter Canada in Southern Ontario, and continue through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia. The eclipse will exit continental North America on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NDT.” They also provide instructions for how to make your own safety glasses.
5 Eclipse Viewing Party Pointers
It is so exciting to be able to see the total solar eclipse and we live in the path of totality so we are expecting to be able to see the stars in the middle of the day! This is a once in a lifetime event y’all, so go ahead and gather up your specialized eye protection and a few friends to experience it with and throw a little eclipse viewing party. This post is sponsored by Farm Rich but all opinions expressed are my own.
1. Invitations
Send out some electronic invitations so you can get them delivered ASAP and keep track of who is coming and how many guests to expect easily. Use sites such as EVite, Paperless Post, GreenVelope, or PunchBowl to get that quickly taken care of.
For the date and time of the party- the eclipse will be August 21, 2017 and the time that you can see it depends on where you live. NASA has a great eclipse guide that will tell you the time in your area and answer all your eclipse questions so you can be prepared.
2. Eclipse Glasses
You will want to make sure you have plenty of eclipse glasses on hand. Some of our local super markets sell them. You can also order them through my affiliate link on Amazon. Eye safety during the eclipse is critical so purchase ISO 12312-2 compliant eclipse glasses and make sure everyone reads the safety handouts that come with them for safe eclipse viewing. The way to safely view an annular eclipse and the total solar eclipse are different. That is why I provided that eye safety link from NASA with everything you need to know.
3. Easy Appetizers
You will want to keep food options simple so you and your guests can focus on the star attraction- the eclipse. Easy party apps make great finger foods that can be easily prepared, served, and eaten while socializing. I am serving Farm Rich snacks and appetizers. which are made with wholesome ingredients, quick-frozen and carefully packaged so busy families can prepare great-tasting food within minutes. I chose 5 options that are sure to please guests and most of them take under 10 minutes to warm up in the oven.
BUFFALO STYLE BONELESS CHICKEN BITES
These delicious little Chicken Bites take the longest to prepare- about 9 minutes on each side in the oven so I put these in first. Put the included Buffalo sauce packet in a bowl of warm water to warm up. I chopped up a few celery sticks to serve with them. Pour out some ranch too because it is great with the Buffalo Style Boneless Chicken Bites. I serve my Buffalo sauce on the side because I have some kids that prefer no spice. These are always a hit, so have plenty on hand.
LOADED POTATO SKINS
These little tasty numbers were second into the oven as they take about 15 minutes to warm up. I chopped up some parsley to serve on top to give them something a little extra but that is totally optional and you will love the cheesy bacon flavors of these Loaded Potato Skins, made from real Idaho potatoes.
MOZZARELLA STICKS
Warm up the Mozzarella Cheese Sticks in just under 10 minutes and serve them up with a little marina sauce for dipping. A crowd pleaser!
MOZZARELLA BITES
The Mozzarella Bites are a huge hit. They have a hint of delicious buttery garlic sauce on them and they just taste amazing by themselves. Not to mention, they are a good source of calcium and protein. I serve them by themselves and some with mini-tomatoes and basil on toothpicks too. Ready in under 10 minutes.
CRISPY DILL PICKLES
I also couldn’t resist serving the Farm Rich Crispy Dill Pickles because they are just such a memorable treat and very festive for a party. Everybody loved these and they were great with a little ranch dip too.
So there you have 5 Farm Rich appetizers that will be ready in under 20 minutes so make the food part of your party simple and delicious. You can find nutritional info and find where to get Farm Rich in your area at farmrich.com
4. Drink Hack
Keep drinks easy too. You can set out a cooler filled with water bottles and sodas so they are available for easy self-serve and kept cold. You can also use my easy drink hack to spiff up any drink- fruit and mint. I served peach slices and some crushed mint in a pitcher of water for those that wanted a fancier drink. Tastes delicious, looks fancy, and is super easy.
5. Clean Up Hack
Make it easy for guests to clean up after themselves by placing out a trash can and recycling bin. It will also help make your guests feel better because they like to be able to clean up after themselves without wondering where to look for the trash and if you recycle.
Conclusion
Having an eclipse party can be a fun and memorable way to experience a rare celestial event with friends and family. Eclipses are fascinating astronomical events that occur relatively infrequently in any given location. They provide an opportunity to witness the beauty and wonder of the universe. Eclipses offer a great chance to learn about astronomy, the solar system, and the science behind these events. A party can include educational activities and discussions. Hosting a party can bring people together to share in the excitement and experience of the eclipse. It can strengthen bonds and create lasting memories. Be sure to have proper eye protection!
I hope you enjoy your gathering and that these Eclipse Viewing Party Pointers come in handy. Have you tried any of these Farm Rich snacks? Which are your favorite?
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