Oregon State Capitol Hosts Great American Eclipse Activities in August

The Oregon State Capitol is offering a full weekend of programming to welcome visitors from across the world who are coming to Salem for the Great American Eclipse. The Capitol will be open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, August 19 and 20, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, August 21.

On Saturday, August 19 the Salem Philharmonia Orchestra is performing a one-hour Out-of-This-World Eclipse Concert in State Capitol State Park beginning at 11:30 a.m. The orchestra will be playing selections from Star Wars, Star Trek, The Planets and more being led by conductor Sean Paul Mills.

The concert is sponsored by the Oregon State Capitol Foundation and is free and open to the public. Foundation members will be handing out free eclipse glasses prior to the concert while supplies last. Those wishing to watch and listen are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket, pack a lunch or purchase something from the LoneStar BBQ food truck that will be serving up Texas BBQ, and TexMex cuisine all weekend long in the park.

On Sunday, August 20, OMSI educator Jim Todd will be giving a lecture at 11:30 a.m. in the Capitol. Find out how to get the most out of viewing the eclipse and what stages you are looking for. The lecture will also be streamed live online at oregonlegislature.gov. Starting at 11:00 a.m., the OSCF will be handing out free eclipse glasses while supplies last.

On Monday, August 21, starting at approximately 9:05 a.m., Rose City Astronomer President Margaret Mcrea will be narrating the eclipse (with sound amplification) from the Capitol front steps. The OSCF will be handing out free eclipse glasses before 9 a.m, while supplies last.

Also on Monday, August 21, the United States Postal Service will be issuing a special “Arc of Totality” postmark from the Oregon State Capitol between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The thermal “Total Eclipse of the Sun” stamp will be sold on site, in sheets of 16, as well as a commemorative envelope from the Oregon State Capitol, the first of five state capital’s in totality for this eclipse.

Self-guided building tours are offered during all open hours. Tower tours to the Oregon Pioneer will take place at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 19.  Guided building tours are also offered on Saturday, August 19th, at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 p.m. and 1:30 pm. All tours are capacity controlled and weather permitting.

For more information please contact Visitor Services at 503-986-1388 or visit events at www.oregoncapitol.com .