If you live or work near downtown Montrose and don’t have plans for the April 8 solar eclipse, well… you do now.

Montrose’s Development and Revitalization Team (DART)  is planning a cleverly named “Get Mooned” eclipse watching event for the day at Centennial Plaza, and there will be some fun (and educational) activities for those who attend.

Activities are described as an “alien disco lunchtime extravaganza.”

DART has booked West Slope funk/hip-hop band Wowzers to perform for the event, but there will be plenty more to do than take in the eclipse and listen to music.

The Black Canyon Astronomical Society will be bringing a special telescope for viewing the eclipse. The local Children’s Museum will be on-hand to educate.

And local collective store Mosaic will be there to guide those interested in a block print-making lesson.

There are also plans for food trucks to attend.

“I’m super excited about this, because why not do something for it,” said Michelle Wingfield, the DART coordinator. “DART’s interest is in bringing vibrancy to downtown, and I think this could be a really unique way to do that.”

The event will last from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Wingfield said she is hoping that, despite the eclipse happening in the middle of the day, downtown businesses will gather and join in at Centennial Plaza.

Those who attend are encouraged to dress in “alien disco” attire. Wingfield said she will be dressing up.

“I hope people dress up, because that’s even more fun,” she said.

The eclipse, for Colorado, will be a partial eclipse.

This year, the moon will be closer to Earth than it was for the 2017 event, but Colorado isn’t in the path. Our part of Colorado should see about 65% of the sun covered.

The next total solar eclipse where Colorado is in the path of totality is in 2045.

The path of totality this year goes over parts of Maine, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Texas.

Another Centennial Plaza note

DART recently met with downtown stakeholders regarding planned Centennial Plaza renovations, and a contractor is coming up with a design based on feedback from downtown businesses and locals who completed a survey earlier this year.

Once the design is complete, DART will look at funding the project.

Justin Tubbs is the Montrose Business Times editor. He can be reached by email at justin@montrosebusinesstimes.com or by phone at 970-765-0915 or mobile at 254-246-2260.