Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – April 7, 2024 – The Great American Total Eclipse hasn’t produced the increased traffic and overflowing crowds at local restaurants. At least not yet.
As of midday Sunday some Jonesboro business owners say they believe the early arrival of eclipse watchers has been minimal, and the warnings about difficult traffic and long waits at restaurants have kept locals at home.
“Honestly our Friday and Saturday (business) was down,” said Brad McDaniel, who owns two Lost Pizza locations in Jonesboro. “I think today will be a bigger day with eclipse folks either coming in town or just traveling through.”
Another restaurant owner who asked not to be identified said, “It’s been a normal and pretty good weekend, but some of our normal peak times have been below normal. The ‘influx’ hasn’t occurred as of yet. Thankfully I didn’t heed the advice of the ‘experts’ and order extra food.”
Except for a traffic stop caused by an accident on Interstate 555 near Marked Tree late Saturday morning, the roads, highways and interstates have been pretty normal. the iDriveArkansas traffic status map has reflected normal traffic so far.
A few miles to the West in Walnut Ridge Mayor Charles Schnapp’s account was slightly different. “Friday afternoon and Saturday were busy with lots of out-of-state visitors walking around,” Schnapp said. “We had some fuel stops run out of regular gas late Friday evening, but one received a back-up load that night and the other business received one mid-morning Saturday.”
Schnapp said the Walnut Ridge airport has airplane ramp space reserved from 19 states including California, New York, Washington and Floriday. “We’re expecting 200-plus planes with some flying in starting Sunday afternoon.”
In Paragould, the Collins Theatre scheduled several shows as part of the community’s Eclipse on The Ridge event. The Beatles tribute band Liverpool Legends performed Friday night. Meredith Smith, Collins Executive Director said the Friday crowd was “okay.” “I worry the free shows in Walnut Ridge (as the Beatles on the Ridge Festival) hurt us.” A Bob Seger tribute artist “Simply Seger” performed Saturday night. “Seger always has a pretty good crowd. I think it was very similar in size, around the 300 mark,” Smith said. Magician John Cassidy and Comedian Jeff Allen are scheduled on Sunday. The band Nightwing will perform Monday evening.
McDaniel says he believes his restaurants will be really busy tonight and tomorrow. “But I’m not expecting anything crazy tomorrow except maybe an early lunch,” McDaniel said.
More eclipse weekend events are planned for this afternoon and tomorrow.