Arcadia Valley Solar Eclipse Festival

4/7/2024 to 4/8/2024 | Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site | Pilot Knob, MO

Battle of Pilot Knob State Park will partner with Arcadia Valley Tourism to host a solar eclipse festival on Sunday, April and Monday, April 8.

There will be vendors, food trucks and activities in downtown Ironton on Sunday and Monday. There will also be educational activities at Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site on Monday, culminating in observing the eclipse from the historic battlefield.

Sunday, state park employees will host a bike safety program at the Iron County courthouse, located at 205 S. Main St. From noon to 2 p.m., kids can bring their bikes or use the ones provided. Kids will complete a bike safety test and then get their Missouri State Parks bicycle driver’s license. Parents will also work with Missouri State Parks rangers to complete Amber Alert cards to keep at home in case they are ever needed.

Sunday night, there will be an 8 p.m. showing of “E.T.” at the on the grounds of the Arcadia Academy.

Monday, there will be vendors and activities in downtown Ironton and educational activities and eclipse viewing at the historic battlefield. The eclipse will last from 12:40-3:16 p.m., with a two-minute, 38-second period of totality starting at 1:57 p.m. 

For the movie and the eclipse viewing, participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to sit, and they should bring eclipse glasses for the viewing. Parking on Sunday will be at Arcadia Valley High School, and parking on Monday will be at the high school and the historic site.

The festival is free and open to the public, and there is no need to register. 

Event times:
  • Sunday: 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Monday: 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information:

Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site is located at:

118 E. Maple, Pilot Knob, MO | 573-546-3454