Eclipse-O-Rama 2024

ABOUT THE
EVENT

Embark on a cosmic camping adventure with Bill Nye and The Planetary Society at Eclipse-O-Rama 2024!

Bill Nye invites you to join him and members of The Planetary Society at Eclipse-O-Rama 2024! Join fellow space enthusiasts in Fredericksburg, Texas, for an extraordinary two-day camping festival on April 7 and 8 to watch a rare and unforgettable experience: a total eclipse of the Sun! We'll be joined by special celebrity guests including: Tim Dodd, the Everyday Astronaut; Bob Pflugfelder, better known as Science Bob; and YouTuber Mark Rober. Your favorite Planetary Society stars including: astronomer Heidi Hammel, Planetary Society President, Bethany Ehlmann; Chief Scientist Bruce Betts, Master of Ceremonies Mat Kaplan, Planetary Radio host Sarah Al-Ahmed, and digital community manager Ambre Trujillo will also be on hand. Enjoy science, art, music, and the wonders of space at The Lodge at Country Inn Cottages — a 200-acre private ranch that will be transformed into the ultimate Planetary Society member meet-up!

What to Expect:
- Engaging talks on astronomy and planetary science
- Exhibitor and activity booths
- Star parties, hands-on activities, and food
- An unparalleled experience of the total solar eclipse

This family-friendly festival is your ticket to an unforgettable experience. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — the next total solar eclipse visible in the contiguous 48 states won't occur until August 2044!

Why Fredericksburg:
Fredericksburg is an International Dark Sky Community - one of fewer than forty in the world. This rural location ensures a dazzling view of the night skies above. Learn more here. Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg offers a central location, equidistant to Austin and San Antonio airports. Located deep in the path of totality and with favorable weather conditions, Fredericksburg will experience a whopping 4 minutes and 24 seconds of totality. And, historical weather patterns indicate a high likelihood of clear skies compared with other regions in the path of totality.

Accommodations:
Need a place to stay? We have had some late openings at the Country Inn and Cottages! (See below for details.) We also have camping options outlined below provide some great, affordable options for you. They range from very affordable tent and RV camping to glamping, to your very own cottage. Parking is included with all options. See below for pricing details.

Become part of something greater:
This event is open to members of The Planetary Society, the world's largest and most influential space-interest organization. Not a member? You can still join us! Simply join at our basic Explorer level ($50/year) as part of the registration process.

SPECIAL
GUESTS

PROGRAM
SCHEDULE

This once-in-a-lifetime event will offer the opportunity to experience the solar system from spaceship Earth while you remain firmly fixed on the ground.

Highlights:

a shared opportunity to see the eclipse together with Planetary Society CEO, Bill Nye
access to vendor/exhibit booths and educational displays
astronomy & planetary science presentations
star parties, including daytime solar viewing via solar telescopes
on-site food vendors
parking for automobiles
See Accommodations, below, for lodging options:
- Affordable on-site car, tent, and RV camping opportunities
- Note that lodging is not included in the main ticket price

Want to elevate your Eclipse-O-Rama experience? Take it to the next level by joining Bill and other Planetary Society leaders for our special VIP welcome reception and banquet on Sunday night. Hear inspiring words while rubbing elbows with our famous CEO, board members, staff, and hundreds of your fellow members at a festive, Texas-style celebration.

Program Details

For a full program, please click here to download a PDF.

Day 1 • Sunday, April 7

Food Tent open from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Activity Tent open from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Registration open from 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

11:00 - 11:15 a.m.
Welcome Ceremony with Master of Ceremonies, Mat Kaplan

11:15 a.m.
Science Talk: The Geology of the Texas Hill Country Q+A
Explore the geology and paleontology of the Texas Hill Country with paleontologist Andre LuJan of Texas Through Time.

12:00 Noon
Science Talk: Exploring Worlds Q+A with Dr. Bethany Ehlmann
Join us for a journey through the exciting present and future of planetary exploration.

1:00 p.m.
Science Talk: Searching for Life Q+A with Dr. Heidi Hammel
Are we alone? Learn about the search for other life in the Cosmos locally and beyond.

2:00 p.m.
Science Talk: Defending Earth from Asteroids Q+A with Dr. Bruce Betts
If an asteroid or comet threatens Earth, what can be done? Learn about the latest in planetary defense and what The Planetary Society is doing to help.

3:00 p.m.
Screening: "Sailing the Light" (30 mins)
Join us for a screening of "Sailing the Light," the story of the LightSail 2 solar sailing mission made possible by Planetary Society members!

5:00 - 5:15 p.m.
Evening Welcome with Mat Kaplan

5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Space Love Stories
"When you're in love, you want to tell the world," said Planetary Society co-founder Carl Sagan.

6:30 p.m.
Ticketed event: Gala Welcome Dinner

7:30 - 10:30 p.m.
Special Screening: "Cosmos: A Personal Voyage" Marathon

9:00 p.m. - Midnight
Star Party
Join Planetary Society volunteers as we take advantage of being in a designated International Dark Sky Community!

Day 2 • Monday, April 8
Food Tent is open from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Activity Tent open from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Registration open from 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Solar eclipse begins at 12:15 p.m.
Totality is from 1:33:05 p.m. to 1:37:30 p.m.

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Board games
Unwind in the cool comfort of the Lodge with space-themed and classic board games.

⭐ 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Main Event: Total Solar Eclipse
Join your fellow members as we guide you through the total solar eclipse, featuring Mat Kaplan, Bill Nye, Heidi Hammel, Mark Rober, Everyday Astronaut, Science Bob, and more!

11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Everyday Astronaut Livestream
Observers are welcome to watch Tim Dodd, the Everyday Astronaut, host our official eclipse livestream to his YouTube audience.

3:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Science Video Marathon

3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Meet and Greet with Bill Nye
Here's your chance to say hello to our CEO, Bill Nye!

5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Space Bingo!
Relax, play, and win! Unwind with your fellow members for a few rounds of Bingo, complete with out-of-this-world prizes!

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Space Trivia
Put your space knowledge to the test with great company and even greater prizes!

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Special Screening of Feature Film: "Contact" (1997)

9:00 p.m. - Midnight
Star Party

TICKET
PRICING

Eclipse-O-Rama festival ticket - $325 per person. Covers daytime programming from Sunday through Monday night. Kids 5 and younger are free. If all you want is a day pass to our event, this is your ticket!

Add-ons:
VIP Welcome Reception and Dinner (Sunday night) - $250 per person.
Shower passes - $30 per person.

This event is open to Planetary Society members. Not a member? You can still join us! Simply join at our basic Explorer level ($50/year) as part of the registration process.
Cancellation Policy:

Partial refunds of 75% of the total registration are available up to January 5, 2024
Partial refunds of 50% of the total registration payment are available up to February 9, 2024
Partial refunds of 25% of the total registration are available up to March 8

After March 8, there will be no refunds for any reason, including no-shows, late arrivals, or early departures regardless of circumstance.

Due to the one-time nature of this event and the costs associated with it, there are no exceptions to this policy including illness, family emergencies, or inclement weather.

Please note that subject to cancellation policies, you may modify your registration by returning to our registration form, logging in with your email address, and updating your selections based on the options available at that time.

Lodge at Country Inn

Fredericksburg, TX
Resort Website

The Lodge at Country Inn Cottages is located on a beautiful 200-acre ranch in Fredericksburg, Texas, with sweeping views of the Texas Hill Country and, of course, the Eclipse!

At the ranch, we will feature multiple indoor and outdoor stages for presentations, a marketplace tent with a variety of commercial retail and non-profit space-related booths and exhibits, and our food court tent that will provide a shady retreat to sit and enjoy meals or snacks available for purchase.

We will also provide first aid EMTs as well as professional security on-site.

For personal amenities, we will provide a range of services such as portable restrooms, handwashing stations, trash service, and ice and water stations.

ACCOMMODATIONS

The Society offers several options for accommodations designed to offer experiences at a variety of price points, including cottages and hotels, RV camping, car camping, and primitive tent camping. Our goal is to provide a range of options that keep the event accessible to a wide range of our members and guests. Parking is included with the accommodations and for anyone purchasing an event ticket only who has separate arrangements for accommodations. All guests using our accommodations must also be ticket holders to Eclipse-O-Rama 2024.

Note that accommodations are available beginning Saturday night, and our Eclipse-O-Rama programming will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 7, and continue through the evening of Monday, April 8.

For those needing an additional parking space, please contact Tracey Ireland at Tireland@Helmsbriscoe.com to make arrangements.

HOTEL OPTIONS

For a more comfortable stay, the proprietors offer traditional hotel options on-site and in town. Note: the County Inn and Cottages require a 4-day minimum stay with total costs (including occupancy tax) ranging from approximately $2,200 to $5,200 for the minimum stay. To explore options, call 830-998-6200 or email mycountryinn@gmail.com.

The Country Inn Cottages
Our venue can accommodate up to 158 overnight guests in 41 on-site cottages. For those staying on-site in the cottages, accommodations also include a hot tub, swimming pool, barbecue pits, outdoor fireplaces, and herds of wild-roaming Whitetail and Axis deer! Cottages may be booked directly through The Lodge at Country Inn Cottages using the contact information provided in your registration confirmation email.

The Country Inn
Our venue also has rooms available off-site at their in-town hotel, The Country Inn, just a few short miles away. Rooms may be booked directly through The Country Inn.

RV CAMPING

Any vehicle or vehicle with a trailer measuring 16’ or more. You cannot purchase an RV spot unless you are bringing an RV. Each RV occupant must have a ticket to the event. RV sites are approximately 40 by 25 sq ft. Note: for the 3-day reservation, total cost is $750.

CAR CAMPING

One spot per car, not per person, and each occupant must have a ticket to the event. If you have a group arriving in more than one car, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to park next to other vehicles in your party, though we will work with you to try to make that happen. Sites are approx 30 by 25 sq ft. Note: for the 3-day reservation, total cost is $500.

CAMPING OPTIONS

There will be a variety of ways to stay while attending the Eclipse-O-Rama! If you're looking for a weekend that you'll never forget, then you should try camping on the ranch at The Lodge at Country Inn Cottages! Any type of camping in any location is great, but there's something special about the Lone Star State. Texas offers some of the best and most diverse countryside and scenery in the U.S.

For our Eclipse event, the venue proprietors are opening the entire ranch to glamping, RVs, car camping, and primitive tent camping to house hundreds of more guests. Note: all options include three nights (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday nights) at a set price whether or not you need or can use all three nights. You’ll be able to book your campsite and purchase tickets at the same time when you click the Register button.

CAMPING GUIDELINES: For more information on camping guidelines, click here.
For those who choose glamping, camping, and RVing, we will provide on-site parking, food (at an additional cost), restrooms, handwashing stations, shower trailers, and ice and water stations.

Primitive Tent Camping

Tent Camping sites are approximately 20 by 20 sq ft and parking for one car is included with the tent camping site. Note that these are unimproved, open-air campsites. If you need additional parking, you may purchase that separately. Note: for the 3-day reservation, total cost is $400.

IN THE
AREA

Looking for something to do before or after the eclipse? Fredericksburg is located in central Texas, known for its rolling hills, bluebonnets, wineries, and the city's German heritage.

The founders knew this was someplace special when they settled here in 1846. Behind the elegant shops and fine dining, you can feel the authentic German soul and see reminders of our heritage in the historic buildings along Main Street, the German cuisine at local restaurants, and the welcoming spirit of our people in the city of Fredricksburg.

To find out more about the area, places to visit, and other things to do, visit www.visitfredericksburgtx.com

FAQs

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Q: Where am I going?
A: Your GPS should be set to 3319 Lower Crabapple Road, Fredericksburg, Texas. Safe travels!

Q: Are children admitted to the event for free?
A: Children aged 5 and under are allowed in free.

Q: Are pets allowed?
A: Only service dogs as defined by the ADA are allowed at the event, due to liability and logistical concerns. You can inquire about boarding your dog at PetSuites in San Antonio, or Paws & Claws, or Kellie’s Doggie Country Resort (830-990-0051) in Fredericksburg.

Q: Are there ADA-compliant facilities at the event?
A: There will be accessible shower and toilet trailers on-site for the event. The built facilities at The Lodge are ADA-compliant. Please note this event is being held at a 200-acre ranch, with naturally uneven surfaces and varied elevations. Staff will also be on hand with golf carts to assist members who may need assistance with mobility.

Q: Will there be emergency medical personnel and security onsite?
A: Yes! We have arranged for 24-hour security and EMT personnel will be on-site for this event for your safety and protection.

Q: What kind of weather should we anticipate? What should I wear?
A: Per AccuWeather, that week in Fredericksburg may see daytime highs in the 70s and overnight lows in the 50s. We suggest having a weather app or The Eclipse Company app (more info below) on your phone and checking it regularly in the days leading up to the eclipse.

Be prepared to dress in layers and bring footwear that is comfortable and suitable for dirt, grass, and uneven surfaces.

Q: What if it rains?
A: In the event of rain, all untented activities will move to indoor and/or tented spaces. (If you are camping, bring your rain fly or a tarp just in case!

Q: Is there an app to help me experience the eclipse?
A: Yes! Thanks to our partnership with The Eclipse Company, an app with real-time weather conditions and a countdown timer tells you exactly when certain phenomena and totality will occur. You’ll also be able to receive updates about Eclipse-O-Rama activities. You can download The Eclipse App in the Apple and Android app stores.

Q: Are firearms allowed onsite?
A: Per the policy of the Lodge, guns are not permitted.

Q: May we bring alcohol?
A: If you bring alcohol for your personal consumption, please know that The Lodge’s liquor license prohibits the consumption of alcohol within the boundaries of The Lodge. This area includes all the Eclipse-O-Rama activity sites including the Lodge, the Chapel, activity tents, the telescope viewing area and the main stage. You may have alcohol for your personal consumption if you are in your Cottage, RV, or tent or at the food tent.

Q: Can we purchase food on-site?
A: Yes, there will be food available for purchase beginning Saturday evening, all the way through Tuesday morning. We anticipate having vegetarian options available, but unfortunately, we cannot accommodate more specific food restrictions. Please be prepared to bring your own food if you have dietary restrictions.

Q: Will there be water stations to refill water bottles?
A: Yes, there will be water stations and the Eclipse-O-Rama swag bag included with your registration will include reusable water bottles for your convenience.

Q: Will there be ice for purchase?
A: Yes, we will have ice available.

Q: Is there an ATM on-site?
A: There is not. Please have other forms of payment with you for needed purchases.

Q: Is wifi available onsite?
A: Yes, we will have dedicated wifi for guests. Although we anticipate a strong signal, we can’t guarantee that adequate wifi or cell phone service will always be available due to the volume of attendees.

Q: Are there EV charging stations?
A: Yes, there are six 48v Tesla charging stations available to those who need them. You may arrange for access at our registration/hospitality desk, located in the front patio of the Lodge.

Q: Is there a dedicated device-charging station?
A: The Lodge building will have a dedicated area supplied with power strips so you can juice up your phones and other devices.

Q: What should I bring to enjoy viewing the eclipse?
A: First and foremost, you need ISO-certified eclipse viewing glasses, and each ticketed guest attending Eclipse-O-Rama will receive a pair at registration. This is the ONLY item that guarantees a safe viewing experience. Alternatively, you can use a simple kitchen colander to observe the interesting shadows caused by the eclipse or construct your own pinhole projector in our Eclipse-O-Rama Activity Tent. In addition, we will have opportunities for solar viewing with telescopes.

Q: Are eclipse glasses available for purchase at the event? Are there Eclipse-O-Rama t-shirts?
A: Yes and yes. Our partner, Chop Shop Studio, will be on-site selling a variety of Eclipise-O-Rama merchandise, including the same ISO-certified eclipse viewing glasses that each ticketed guest will receive in their swag bag at registration. You can purchase tees, posters, stickers, patches, and more so everyone will know you were there! Chop Shop Studio accepts all major credit cards and Venmo.

Q: Can I bring my telescope?
A: Yes! You are welcome to bring your telescopes, and we’ll have volunteers hosting telescope viewings at the Activity tent every day when programming starts and again in the evening.

ARRIVAL AND REGISTRATION

Q: Will a ticket be mailed to me?
A: No, you will not receive a physical ticket or an e-ticket, as all the information needed to check you into Eclipse-O-Rama is in our registration system! If you received an email with a registration confirmation number, you are good to go. At the registration area, you will receive a wristband designating you as an official attendee and identifying your access to any other options you may have purchased.

Q: How do you know I paid for a ticket?
A: All your information is in our registration system and we will have a registration/check-in area onsite, and your confirmation email is proof of your transaction. You’ll receive a wristband at that time reflecting your registration inclusions.

Q: How do I get in?
A: You will enter the property via the driveway from Lower Crabapple Road and find parking on the left. There will be attendants to guide you to your specific parking area. Once you’ve parked your vehicle, you will go to the registration area in front of the Lodge building to be checked in and receive your Eclipse-O-Rama swag bag and credentials. At registration, you will receive a wristband designating you as an official attendee, which will also identify your access and any other options you may have purchased.

IF YOU ARE STAYING IN THE COTTAGES

You will be directed to drive up the hill to your cottage where you’ll park and then proceed to the Registration/Hospitality area in front of the Lodge building.

IF YOU ARE GLAMPING

Upon arrival you will be directed to the dedicated parking area for glampers. See the glamping staff to get your tent number then you can move your things in before making your way to the Registration area to check in for the event and receive your credentials.

IF YOU ARE CAMPING IN AN RV, CAR CAMPING, OR PRIMITIVE CAMPING

Q: Can I choose my camping spot?
A: If you are registered for primitive camping during your stay at Eclipse-O-Rama, once you park your vehicle and check in at registration, you’re free to find a site that suits you, pitch your tent, and enjoy! All other camping levels, such as glamping and RV camping, will be directed to their designated areas upon arrival.

Q: Can we have/cook over campfires?
A: No campfires or open flames are allowed; only propane stoves are permitted for cooking.

Q: Are there picnic tables in the camping area?
A: There will be dining tables in the Food Tent for all attendees to use, but there are no picnic tables in the various camping areas.

Planetary Society Solar Eclipse Event