The Farmington History Museum Committee is taking the Farmington Public Library to a new dimension with a Moon Shadow Party in honor of the Aug. 21 total solar eclipse.

The event is scheduled from 2 to 5 p.m. on Aug. 20 the day before the big event and is for students in grades 3 through 8. The cost is $2 per youth. Sign-up is required at the library, located at 101 North A. St. and space is limited.

The library and committee want to give young people their own space for the solar event.

There are many activities going on in the area for research and education on the solar eclipse, Committee Chair Jessie Williams said. We felt it was important to include children in some activities related to learning and having fun with the solar eclipse.

We really wanted to transform the library conference area into a space for youth, Committee member Nancy Cozean said. The Moon Shadow event will be fun, beginning with a short discussion on the Solar Eclipse. We'll also introduce our own Space Commander, Steve Slinkard, who will discuss another extraterrestrial event that occurred during the Civil War when a large meteor careened from space into the Ste. Genevieve area."

The incident was described in a book by local author Robert Schmidt.

To the sounds of Cat Stevens' Moonshadow and other sonic tunes, the event will feature galaxy events including a costume contest of an outer space being. Contestants are also encouraged to create a poster of "my favorite alien and bring it to the event. Plus, the classic modern movie, The Day the Earth Stood Still will be presented by Jon Cozean.

Prizes will be awarded for the best space costume and best space creature poster. All contestants will receive a certified Space Cadet certificate and solar eclipse watching survival bag.

Proceeds from the event will go to the Farmington History Museum, scheduled for a future opening. Sponsors for Moon Shadow include Plummers Ace Hardware, Prairie Farms, Save-A-Lot and Cozean Funeral Home.

For more information, contact the library at 573-756-5779.

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Museum, library 'lift off' on solar eclipse special - Daily Journal Online