As you may have heard, the continental U.S. will see a total solar eclipse for the first time in 38 years on August 21, 2017. The path of totality will run from Oregon to South Carolina, and our little neck of the woods is about 35 miles from the path of totality in western North Carolina. Here at the Inn on Mill Creek, 98.9% of the sun will be blocked during the eclipse.
The town of Black Mountain next door to us — also known as The Little Town that Rocks, will “Rock the Eclipse” on August 21, and during the preceding weekend, with events happening downtown August 18-21. Here’s the schedule of activities:
Pick up your Eclipse Weekend Passport in participating downtown shops for discounts and a chance to win a $100 gift certificate: Black Mountain Quilts, Black Mountain Yarn Shop, Chifferobe Home & Garden, Common Housefly, C. W. Moose Trading Co., Design Driven Studio, Europa, Giftcrafts, Krista Anne’s, Periwinkles, SCORE!, Sweet on Cherry Street, The Curiosity Shoppe, The Dancing Dragonfly, Visions of Creation.
Eclipse glasses will be available at these downtown shops throughout the weekend while supplies last: Design Driven Studio, Europa, SCORE!, Sweet on Cherry Street, The Dancing Dragonfly, Visions of Creation.
Friday, August 18: Outdoor Movie, Teenagers from Outer Space: Enjoy this 1959 classic with popcorn and soft drinks, starting at dark behind The Junction on Black Mountain Avenue. Come dressed as an alien or martian!
Participating downtown Black Mountain businesses will be open late, providing wine samples during “Sip & Shop” from 5 pm to 7pm on Saturday, August 19. Your Inn on Mill Creek innkeepers will be partnering with our friends at the Dancing Dragonfly, so be sure to stop in at 100 Broadway St. in Black Mountain and visit us while you sample some great wines, and pick up a great gift or two for your loved ones or yourselves while you’re at it! Other participating businesses include Antiques on Sutton, Black Mountain Quilts, Bramblewood, Chifferobe Home & Garden, Common Housefly, Curiosity Shoppe, C. W. Moose Trading Co., Design Driven Studio, Europa, Giftcrafts, Inn Around the Corner, Key City Antiques, Merry Wine Market, Mountain Nest, Periwinkles, SCORE!, Seven Sisters Gallery, The Curiosity Shoppe, and Visions of Creation. Look for the wine glass balloons.
Monday, August 21, at 1 pm: Eclipse Party with live music by Jordan Okrend on Town Square (wear your eclipse glasses!). Although Black Mountain is not in the path of totality, the moon will block the sun 98.9% from the viewing location. The start of the partial eclipse will begin around 1 pm, the maximum eclipse will occur at 2:38 pm, and the partial eclipse will end at 4:01 pm. A rain location will be available to watch NASA’s live feed of the eclipse.