OZARK, Ark. — People from Germany to Long Island New York gathered in Arkansas to experience a once in a life time experience. Although they enjoyed the great eclipse for a few hours, some in Ozark prepared for over a year.
Thousands spent hundreds of dollars to make it to the Natural State, all for just a few minutes of magic.
Ozark was one of the lucky cities to experience totality for the 2024 Great American Eclipse.
One visitor from Long Island, NY, Jennifer Ward, was on her own personal quest to visit 50 states before 50. This event, made it perfect to mark Arkansas off her list.
"I’m 48 and a half and Arkansas was my 50th state. So I made it a point to come here. The Eclipse seemed like a special time to come," said Ward.
For Ward, it’s all about meeting new people. On Monday, she volunteered with the Ozark eclipse crew.
"I found an event happening through social media," explained Ward. "Then I just reached out and thought, well, that's a great way to meet people that are from Ozark. So I asked if they needed any help."
And Ward doesn’t let anything stop her, "If I wait for other people, I might not get somewhere."
Ward said the event was surely worthwhile.
City representatives said these kind of comments are testament to Mayor Roxie Hall and her team’s hard work to prepare the city for the influx of people.
"We've had visitors from Germany. Some came from China. So, that is wonderful in our town, to have visitors come in and see what we have," said Mayor Hall.
Even young Ozark natives experiencing their first eclipse say they enjoyed viewing totality. 13-year-old Case Goines said, "I looked up at it after like completely covered. I look pretty cool."
Mayor Hall’s son, Jameson, says he couldn’t be more proud of the work his mother does to make this small town feel like family.
"She's lived here her entire life, and she's had such an impact on so many people. I think it encourages people to see somebody who grew up around here and still knows everybody, to get out there and be involved," said Hall.
Mayor Hall shared that she’s hopeful everyone who visited enjoyed their time in her beloved town and will eventually make their way back to visit again.
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