FORT SMITH, Ark. — Arkansas eclipse viewers will get the chance to experience a natural phenomenon while out in nature. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) is hosting eclipse celebrations at nature centers across the state.
Karen Westcamp-Johnson is the manager of the Janet Huckabee Nature Center. She explains that the center has been planning its eclipse celebration for a year and will have all staff on deck to host visitors.
"We want a safe spot where, you know, local folks that might not even have to get on the interstate of the highway, they can avoid traffic, they can just come out and sit and watch the eclipse and be able to hopefully have a good time," Westcamp-Johnson said.
The Huckabee Nature Center will provide glasses, snacks, and host a hike around the lake during totality. It's one of six nature centers hosting celebrations that lie in the path of totality.
Steven Foster lives nearby and visited the nature center. He enjoys visiting the center as a nature photographer and is interested to see how Arkansas' nature reacts to the natural phenomenon.
"Seeing how all the nature ... reacts when the eclipse happens like how trees get dark, everything gets dark, see how quiet it gets, how animals react to it," Foster said.
If you're looking for a way to keep the little ones occupied, the center has exhibits and playgrounds to help out parents.
"It's definitely helpful. Very helpful ... definitely something for them to enjoy and have fun with," Kyle Zinno, an out-of-state visitor, said.
Everything is completely free and doesn't require any registration. You can visit the AGFC's website for more information.
Watch 5NEWS on YouTube.
Download the 5NEWS app on your smartphone:
Stream 5NEWS 24/7 on the 5+ app: How to watch the 5+ app on your streaming device
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to.