BEATRICE - "This is an event that people are not going to forget about. The benefit, too, is that the park gets visibility and people learn about this really important story of homesteading. This is what settled the west. We helped build our economy, we built our democracy, all related back to homesteading."
Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management at the Homestead National Monument of America, Susan Cook, has been a major part of the creation of the big solar eclipse event at the Homestead National Monument for nearly four years.
Over the weekend, and on Monday, thousands of people will travel to Beatrice for prime viewing of the solar eclipse.
How many to be exact? Well, Cook's not sure.
"We don't have a number. We have no idea. Basically, we're preparing. We don't even know what full is, but we just know what full is going to feel like. That's why we had the announcements of how we will shut down the park to visitation, but then directing people to other safe viewing locations."
Monday's events include presentations from Bill Nye, NASA scientists and even a performance of the Star Spangled Banner from Nebraska native and The Voice competitor, Hannah Huston.
On Monday, both buildings will be open at 6 a.m. and all activities will begin at 8 a.m.
Follow along to News Channel Nebraska 1450 AM and 94.7 FM in Beatrice for total solar eclipse coverage, including live reports and traffic updates.
You can also watch live on NCN television and ncnsportsnow.com from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. for live coverage across the state.
Homestead National Monument Preparing for Unknown Amount of Visitors
