In Johnston County, NC the peak of the eclipse event will take place at around 2:30PM-2:45PM. This means that around that time on this coming Monday the 21st, about 93% of the sun will be covered by the moon. This total eclipse, though not quite total in our area, is a once in a lifetime event that will be celebrated at eclipse viewing parties across the county (which we have linked below).

Selma’s Eclipse Viewing Party – Selma Parks & Rec are organizing this “Get Mooned” party to be held on the lawn of the Harrison Center for Active Aging from 1:30PM-3:30PM. This particular spot was deemed optimal for viewing. People are encouraged to bring their own chairs and viewing glasses as none will be made available. Kona Ice will be on hand selling snow cones and there will be music and games provided.

The “All-American” Eclipse Viewing Party in Clayton – Bring a blanket or a chair to the Town Square in Clayton from 1PM-4PM where the Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library will be hosting an eclipse event. There will be eclipse maps, games, and experiments for everyone to enjoy. In addition, the library will have official eclipse viewing glasses to hand-out at the event while supplies last. If the weather is bad on Monday the library will have an indoor viewing party of the eclipse event live from NASA.

End of Summer Eclipse Party in Four Oaks - Come celebrate at Four Oaks Barbour Grove Park Gazebo End of Summer, Back to School and Total Solar Eclipse Celebration with hot dogs, drinks,and a movie. Bring your own chairs, blankets and eclipse glasses. Start at 1PM and goes until. 

Solar Eclipse Party at the Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center - Starting at 10AM and going noon, celebrate the Solar Eclipse with swimming, crafting, and enjoying some snacks before the big event! Smithfield Residents: $3, Non Residents: $5 SRAC members are FREE!

An eclipse event is a strange spectacle to experience. As the sky grows dark birds sing nighttime songs, the air grows cooler, and stars will appear. It is this darkness in the middle of the day that makes the eclipse both fascinating and dangerous. There are two specific safety areas to discuss during the eclipse. One is viewing safety and the other is travel safety.

If you have not been able to secure eclipse glasses, those are not the only safe way to view the solar eclipse. The idea is not to look directly into the sun even through camera lenses or sunglasses. Below we have included a link to a tutorial on how to build an eclipse viewer using an old shoe box. This also doubles as a fun experiment/craft activity for children.

Make Your Own Eclipse Viewer

To those visitors, tourists, and motorist traveling I-95 on Monday please be aware and alert of changing light and traffic conditions. If your car does not have automatic headlights, please turn them on as it grows darker so that cars on the road can easily see you. In addition, be on the look-out for slow moving or stopped vehicles whose drivers may be trying to view the eclipse and drive at the same time (not advisable). In addition, do not pull over on the side of the highway to view the eclipse. Be vigilant and smart when driving during the eclipse event. Also, be aware that parts of I-95 in South Carolina are in the path of totality and will get completely dark during the eclipse event.

We want everyone in Johnston County, and traveling through the county, to stay safe while enjoying this momentous event.


P.S. Waiting on this eclipse to get here has us like...

Eclipse Glasses Waiting