Frequently Asked Questions

On Monday, April 8, 2024, there will be a total solar eclipse, and Lampasas, TX, is in the direct path of totality. In a solar eclipse, the moon gets between the Sun and Earth. In a total solar eclipse, people in the path of totality see the Sun’s bright disk totally covered by the moon for a short time. Totality begins at approximately 1:35 p.m. and lasts about 4 minutes 23.5 seconds.

• Duration of Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024: 2 hours, 40 minutes, 22 seconds
• Duration of totality: 4 minutes, 26 seconds
• Partial begins: 12:18:03 p.m. (CDT)
• Full begins: 1:35:23 p.m.
• Maximum: 1:37:36 p.m.
• Full ends: 1:39:49 p.m.
• Partial ends: 2:58:25 p.m.

View Road Closures Map

Public Restrooms & Dumpsters

Yes, not only will Lampasas be in the path of totality for the 2024 total eclipse, the town will experience an annular solar eclipse on Saturday, October 14, 2023.

Looking directly at the sun is unsafe except during the brief total phase of a solar eclipse (“totality”) when the moon entirely blocks the sun’s bright face, which will happen only within the narrow path of totality.

 The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” or handheld solar viewers. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are unsafe for looking at the sun; they transmit thousands of times too much sunlight. Refer to the American Astronomical Society (AAS) Reputable Vendors of Solar Filters & Viewers page for a list of manufacturers and authorized dealers of eclipse glasses and handheld solar viewers verified to be compliant with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard for such products.

 Do not buy solar eclipse glasses from Amazon or third party

• Buy from a reputable source 
• Glasses available from:
  • Lampasas County Chamber of Commerce
  • Lampasas Library
  • Hodges & Sargent
  • My Girls
  • Moonies Hemporium

LampasasEclipse2024@cityoflampasas.com

• Internet-network congestion due to the influx of people in the area using the internet at the same time
• Cellular-network congestion due to the influx of people in the area using the network at the same time
• Traffic congestion
• Schools will be closed, please prepare for childcare if needed
• Possible food and bottled water shortages
• Gas shortages
• Pharmacies may be closed
• Businesses and Banks may be closed

Predicting how many visitors will come to Lampasas to view the Eclipse is difficult. The City is basing the expected number of visitors on historical numbers from the Solar Eclipse in 2017. Cities in the path of totality in 2017 for the duration that Lampasas is in 2024 saw a mass influx of thousands of visitors to their town. As long as weather permits, Lampasas can likely predict:

• Thousands of visitors, double or triple the City’s population
• Large-scale events happening in nearby cities will draw crowds to Lampasas
• Hotels, AirBnBs and RV Parks will reach capacity
• Residents and Businesses need to be prepared

The City is undergoing internal planning and public outreach to ensure we are prepared for the Solar Eclipse 2024 event.

The County, the Sheriff’s Department, the City of Lampasas’ Police and Fire Departments, and Hamilton EMS are working concurrently to address public safety and prepare for the event by gathering information, planning, managing logistics, gathering supplies, and training.

The County and the City are doing public outreach to gather information and ensure the public is prepared for the Solar Eclipse event by hosting town halls. They are also working on determining public viewing sites and handling logistics for the week of the event, including securing port-o-potties, road closures, security, and more.

The Lampasas County Chamber of Commerce and Lampasas Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) are contacting businesses to ensure they’re prepared for the Solar Eclipse event. The Chamber and the LEDC host quarterly business roundtables and targeted industry meetings. If you’d like to know more, please get in touch with the Chamber at 512-556-5172.

The decision to stay open is up to each business. Non-essential businesses may not need to be open. Will your employees be able to get to work? Walk through your daily activities and think about what may not be available on April 8 due to the influx of people. How well will your business operate if you need internet, cell phone service, or even gas?

If you choose to stay open, please ensure you are prepared. Also, this is your opportunity to think outside the box for businesses that remain open. Consider what services and/or products may not be readily available and provide them to improve your customers' experience.

You can download a complete list of emergency contacts here.

Partial Start time is 12:18:05 (12:18PM). Starting at 13:35:25 (1:35 PM) on Monday April 8, 2024 the city of Lampasas will experience a total Solar Eclipse for 4 minutes and 24.3 seconds.

Merchandise can be purchased at the Lampasas Public Library

• Sheets of decals: $10.00
• Eclipse glasses: $2.00 each

The City is hosting two Solar Eclipse Events. 

• Beyond the Horizon with NASA - Total Eclipse at the Parks
• Cosmic Camp-out at Creek's Edge - Total Eclipse at the Parks

• Residents and Business Owners that are hosting events for the Solar Eclipse in April 2024 are encouraged to submit an event form for emergency management purposes and to have their event posted on the Chamber of Commerce Calendar. https://www.lampasas.org/FormCenter/Contact-Us-3/Eclipse-Event-Submission-Form-93
• The Calendar will continue to populate as the event approaches. 
• To view the public Solar Eclipse Events in Lampasas, please click here:  Event Calendar | Lampasas County Chamber of Commerce (lampasaschamber.org)

Event organizers, residents, and business owners that are hosting public events for the Solar Eclipse 2024 are encouraged to submit an Eclipse Event Submission Form. 

https://www.lampasas.org/FormCenter/Contact-Us-3/Eclipse-Event-Submission-Form-93

Event organizers, residents, and business owners that are hosting private events for the Solar Eclipse 2024 are encouraged to submit an Eclipse Event Submission Form. https://www.lampasas.org/FormCenter/Contact-Us-3/Eclipse-Event-Submission-Form-93

Your private event will not be posted on public websites; however; the submittal will notify emergency personnel of the event in case of emergency.  

Yes, viewing a solar eclipse requires solar eclipse glasses. Without proper eye protection, viewing a solar eclipse can cause significant damage to your eyes.

During the Solar Eclipse Event campsites are being offered at the WM Brook Park and the 580 Sports Complex for a fee. 

Per City of Lampasas Code of Ordinances 

CHAPTER 54-PARKS & RECREATION 

DIVISION 2. - SULPHUR CREEK

Sec. 54-141. - Bathing, swimming, fishing or wading in portion from U.S. Highway 281 bridge to water plant prohibited; exceptions.

It shall be unlawful for any unauthorized person to bathe, swim, fish, wade in or otherwise use or occupy that portion of Sulphur Creek or its banks and property immediately adjacent thereto extending from the U.S. Highway 281 bridge through the entire length of the golf course. 

Sec. 54-142. - Swimming or bathing in portion from Naruna Road Crossing to Chestnut Street footbridge; 

It shall be unlawful for any person to swim or bathe in that portion of Sulphur Creek extending from the Naruna Road Crossing to the Chestnut Street footbridge.  

Per City of Lampasas Code of Ordinances

          Chapter 54- PARKS & RECREATION 

            Sec. 54-167. - Hours of operation/temporary closures by the city.

Unless otherwise closed, and unless such closure is noted by signs posted at the park and/or field facility, city parks are open daily to the public as follows: 

• Daily between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. 

The city expressly reserves the right to close, or otherwise limit access to, any city park, recreational facility, or other public property under the control of the city if, in the opinion of the city, conditions such as inclement weather, poor field/ground conditions, or other park, grounds, equipment or facility conditions exist that would make occupancy and/or use of the city property dangerous to the public or detrimental to the public property. 

It shall be unlawful for any person to enter into a closed city property or otherwise use a closed facility. Additionally, it shall be unlawful for any person to damage closed city property, through any use thereof, when field, grounds, equipment, or facility conditions exist such that use may result in abnormal wear and tear, in extraordinary maintenance, or necessitate unusual repairs of such properties.