Texclipse:  A Music Festival with a Telluride Connection

Have you made plans for April 8 yet? You know, that’s the much talked about, much anticipated day when a big swath of the United States from Texas to Maine will experience a total solar eclipse. A once-in-a-lifetime event for many people, if you find yourself in the right place, you can experience over three minutes of darkness in the broad daylight. Huh?

Yes, it’s a super cool happening and a good reason to create even more of an event around it. That’s exactly what fellow Telluride ski instructor, Macy Brooks, has done with her planning of the Texclipse Music Festival. Macy did a dry run with this event back in October during the solar eclipse, so this gal has the days of April 6, 7 & 8 cued up for lots of fun and excitement.

Originally from Junction, Texas, the town where Texclipse is taking place, and experienced at organizing all kinds of events, including motorcycle rallies, Macy found it fitting to create added animation around this unique occasion in her hometown. Situated within the renowned Texas Hill Country, just over a hundred miles from San Antonio and a bit more from Austin, Junction is pegged to be one of the best places in the country to fully experience the eclipse. And, of course, the chances of having a clear, sunny day are far greater in Texas than in Maine. Translation:  the extended weather outlook for the eclipse is terrific.

Macy has put together a lineup that showcases some of the best of Texas. In terms of music, there will be country, red dirt, rock and a bit of blues. Sunny Sweeney and Grammy-award winning Rick Trevino will be headlining along with a roundup of other top musicians. Since this is Texas, there will also be a chili cook-off, team roping, lots of Texas food and merch vendors as well as a Texas wine tasting. The Hill Country rates tops for the latter, so Macy has aligned herself with a top local vineyard that has produced a robust red with a sizzling label for the eclipse.

The art and science component of the festival promises to be stellar as well. There will be several family friendly presentations by Dr. Sky, the renowned National Space & Science Educator.

And to top it all off, Macy has put together Elope at the Eclipse where you and a handful of other couples can be married by an ordained minister during the actual total eclipse. What a way to create some magic between you and your beloved. I hear Bonnie Tyler singing “Total Eclipse of the Heart” in the background. Dang, those Texans know how to do it up right.