Click here for a downloadable PDF of all events with addresses!
Welcome to the dark side of the moon in Newton, Illinois!
We hope you enjoy your visit to our small town and take advantage of all the great things we have going on.
Venturing to town for an overnight stay? Check out our great restaurants here.
Sunday evening activities:
Parklanes Bowling Alley is a county favorite, and from 6pm-10 pm, on Sunday evening, they will be offering Red Pin bowling as well as Karaoke. Fun for the whole family and great food too!
Drive ‘N Theater, 16045 IL Rt 33, will be showing Luca! Gates open at 6, movie starts at 7!
Monday activities:
In Newton:
Embarras River Tourism Council is providing eclipse viewing at the Jasper County Fairgrounds, located at Jasper County Fairgrounds at 1300 Fairground Ave. The West End Event Center, located at 202 Museum Drive is also offering parking and viewing.
In Jasper County:
Want to venture away from town?
The Historic Drive ‘N Theater, 16045 IL Rt 33, will be providing spots for viewing as will Sam Parr State Park, 13225 IL Rt 33.
Start your morning right with breakfast!
Our local Grace United Methodist Church, (203 S Lafayette St.) aided by the Presbyterian church is hosting a pancake and sausage breakfast from 7am-10am.
Were you thinking bacon and eggs, or a great omelet? Head to Parklanes for a great variety of breakfast fixins. Open at 6 am- 2 pm
Or join in on fun and games for young and old with FREE Eclipse Bingo brought to you by Birth to Five Illinois, starting at 10:30 at the fairgrounds!
Want some story time fun for the littles? The Newton Public Library will be hosting a story time a story time at the library, check back here for times. They are located on the northeast corner of the square, at 100 S Van Buren Street.
At 10:00 am, join us at the Jasper County fairgrounds for information, experiments and activities provided by the Newton Community High School Science teacher, Cassy Baker. Cassy will be giving us information about the fairgrounds and helping anyone who would like to make a pinhole camera for the event.
At 11:00 am, Sara Waggle will be sharing an Astrology description on the significance of this eclipse.
As lunch time draws near, there will be vendors at the fairgrounds as well as the West End Event Center. The Drive ‘N will have their concession stand open as well.
See the link above if you would like to enjoy a sit down meal before the main event takes place.
At 2 pm, MVP Happy Holler will begin their Solar Eclipse Party. This is a local and yet, widely famous bar along the river. Their address is 10524 E 1400th Ave, Newton.
Also, tentatively at 2pm, SKY Saloon will be having a brief fireworks display! Their address is 21220E 500th Ave, Willow Hill.
Our view of the Eclipse starts right after lunch at 12:46 pm. Totality begins at 2:02:41 and ends at 2:05:50 The Moon kisses the Sun goodbye at 3:20:18.
Looking for something to do while the crowd thins out? The West End Event Center is hosting Guy Ash, a local talent singing some of your favorites from 4-7. The West End also hosts a monthly food truck night and April 8th just happens to be one of those nights, so stick around into the evening and enjoy!
We even have things going on leading up to our big event! If you come to town early, be sure to check out Rauchs Jewelry, who is having a 3day Pre-Eclipse Party!
Rauch’s is so much more than a jewelry store, it is a piece of our Jasper County history (and they have a great gift shop as well)- just a fun place to visit!
Thursday 4/4 (10am-7pm) – Specialty Jewelry Vender Event
Friday 4/5 (4pm-7pm) – Jersey Mike’s and Permanent Jewelry
Saturday 4/6 (Morning) – Laura’s Sweet Shop