Mayor Still Gives Kiwanis Update on Eclipse Activities

If you see the picture of Mayor Don Still, you may first think he’s joined a DEVO tribute band…but no, he’s just displaying his eclipse glasses the city of Hope will be distributing at the Hope Airport during the upcoming eclipse in April.

The Mayor detailed the city’s activities starting with “Solar Shopping Saturday”.  The Hope Tourism Commission is hosting the Saturday event in downtown Hope from 9am until 3pm.  Some of the streets will be closed to allow pedestrians to walk to the local businesses and to enjoy craft vendors and food trucks.  Applications for vendors are available from the Hope/Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce at 777-3640 or at hopemelonfest@yahoo.com.  There are also t-shirts available to commemorate the eclipse and these can be purchased through the Chamber of Commerce at Main & 2nd downtown.

Music is planned April 6th downtown.  Jacob Flores from Hot Springs (well-remembered from his shows several years back at Amigo Juan’s) will be featured at 4:30pm in the Pocket Park on East 2nd.  The Dusty Rose Band will be perform at the HUB at 6pm.  Music will continue April 7th at Legion Field at Fair Park with Mae Estes.  Estes is a Hope native who has made several appearances on the Grand Old Opry and recently signed a major label recording contract in Nashville.  Wyatt Putman will open the show at 6pm and Estes takes the state at 7pm.  There will be food trucks on hand at Fair Park for the concert crowd.

Events April 8th will center around the Hope Airport.  The gates will open at 9am at the airport and the eclipse should be in totality at 1:48pm.    There will be food trucks, portable restrooms, and bounce houses for kids.  Mayor Still noted Hope officials consulted officials in Knoxville, Tennessee who gave them some pointers after that city experienced a similar phenomenon several years back.  The Mayor noted the Knoxville officials advised the Hope contingent to stage their events in a wide open place where you can “see it coming and see it leave”.  The Knoxville officials said one thing people may be surprised by is how quiet it gets as the eclipse approaches.  They noted birds ceased to sing before and during the eclipse.  Mayor Still said the Knoxville officials noted traffic was pretty much tied up two hours before the eclipse so he urges those who plan to come to the airport on April 8th to get there early.

Mayor Still noted the city will distribute several thousand eclipse glasses for those attending to be able to safely view the eclipse.  The Tourism Commission is funding the glasses.  Mayor Still called the eclipse a “once in a lifetime event” and noted the last such eclipse visible locally was in 1918.

Mayor Still also took time to promote the Paul Klipsch Birthday Bash March 7th, 8th, and 9th.  He noted there will be hundreds of visitors to enjoy events and tour the Klipsch factory.  Mayor Still said the high-end Klipsch speakers are still manufactured at the Hope facility.  Information about the Klipsch Birthday Bash can be found at www.klipschmuseum.org.

Mayor Still took the opportunity to promote Train Day May 4th in downtown Hope.  He noted activities will include a barbecue cookoff, car show, kid’s activities, music, and more.  He noted more information will be distributed about Train Day as the event gets closer.

The Mayor finished his program by promoting a public meeting that was scheduled prior to the first City Board meeting of February.  Mayor Still says the city hopes to seek a sales tax in November to fund recreational facilities.  Some of the possible items that could be funded could include an indoor swimming pool, improvements to the parks system and baseball fields.  The Mayor also said the city is considering construction of a new Central Fire Station.  He noted the city is actively seeking opinions from local citizens on the possible improvements.  Mayor Still says recreational opportunities are important to young people when they are considering where to live.