2024 Eclipse: City of Dallas hosting three-day solar eclipse festival
DALLAS COUNTY, Texas - A park in Dallas County will be near the center of totality for next month's total solar eclipse and at the center of a three-day festival.
Samuell Farm, a City of Dallas-owned 400 acre park, is gearing up to be able to accommodate up to 6,000 people for the event.
"A lot of people are coming from California, Florida, Colorado, New York, those are the big hot spots. Other places in Texas too," said Angie Eudy with the City of Dallas.
The park in unincorporated Dallas County is bordered by Mesquite and Sunnyvale.
READ MORE: When will the solar eclipse happen near me?
The land was donated to Dallas by prominent surgeon Dr. William Samuell in 1937, with the stipulation that it remain a public park.
Now, the city wants to make sure the public can use the land to watch the historic total solar eclipse.
"If you can get here before the traffic that would be a big bonus," said Eudy.
But you will have to make a reservation to attend.
Day passes are $5 per person and will include an essential pair of solar eclipse glasses.
What to look for when buying solar eclipse glasses
While all eyes will be on the sky for April’s total eclipse of the sun, your real focus should be on protecting your eyes.
While many hotels and campsites in North Texas have already been booked, the City of Dallas says they still have both tent and vehicle sites available.
"There may be a gas shortage in the area, so get here and be here as quickly as you can," Eudy explained. "We will have everything available for what people need."
There will be musical entertainment, bounce houses, speakers and lots of food for a three-day festival, starting April 6 and ending with the eclipse on Monday, April 8.
"We have a load of food trucks, really good ones coming for this event. We have mountain biking, nature photography people can sign up for, fishing. If you don't have your own poles, you can check one out from us," Eudy shared.
Dallas hosting eclipse campout at Samuell Farm
A large park on the Dallas - Mesquite line will be near the center of totality for next month's historic solar eclipse. It will also be the center of a three-day festival welcoming thousands of visitors to North Texas. FOX 4's Hanna Batta reports live from Samuell Farm with a preview.
READ MORE: 2024 Eclipse: Where to watch the solar eclipse in Dallas
Saturday night will feature an outdoor movie and Sunday, a Dallas-themed drone show.
"This is a once in a lifetime event, I won't be around the next time it happens," said Eudy.
You can get day passes and camping sites here.