West Plains, MO - On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will trace a narrow path of totality across 13 U.S. states. Included in the path of totality is the City of West Plains, which will seek to commemorate the rare occurrence through a four-day festival called "Eclipse West Plains: Party in the Path." The festival is being organized through a community task force spearheaded by the City's Tourism Department. That task force will develop a schedule of events and activities built around the eclipse, with similar festivals proving to be very popular in 2017. "This is a very exciting time for West Plains to have the opportunity to see a natural phenomenon while hosting many visitors from across the Midwest," said West Plains Tourism Director Melissa Wharton. "It's our time to show off this beautiful area in which we live. I am on the state-wide task force for the solar eclipse where I am learning best practices from the Missouri cities that were in th