Cape Girardeau is near the eclipse centerline and will experience totality (darkness as the moon passes in front of the sun) for more than four minutes starting at 1:58:15 p.m. (CDT).

Classes are cancelled from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. on April 8 to allow students to enjoy the festivities. University offices will be closed from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Normal Avenue Block Party

A block party will begin on Normal Avenue at 11 a.m. with inflatables, a telescope, hands on activities, carnival games, food trucks, student organization fair, Greek Week activities, and a teach-in with speakers from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Academic Auditorium.Two teach-in presentations will be held, one at 11:30 a.m. and one at 12:30 p.m. The teach-in will include details on the Artemis Program, scientific research related to the eclipse, and careers with NASA and related space related organizations.

River Campus Festival

The Holland College of Arts and Media and the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics are collaborating to create a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) event. Festivities will take place beginning at 11:30 a.m. and include performances, hands-on activities, a telescope, sunscreen ratings test presentation, food trucks, museum NASA and eclipse exhibitions, and more.

Traffic & Parking

With the potential for heavier traffic than usual in Cape Girardeau on the day of the eclipse, please plan travel time accordingly. Normal Avenue will be closed the day of the event, so use care when parking in neighborhoods adjacent to the University.