“Solar Express” pulling into Hope, AR during eclipse

HOPE, Ark. ( KTAL/KMSS )—The 2024 Solar Express is a three-day event highlighting businesses and vendors in Hope, Arkansas, and features activities throughout the town.

It starts off with Solar Shopping Saturday in downtown Hope.

“We will have vendors down the streets, and all our local businesses will be open. We will also have food trucks downtown for purchase if anyone would like to have lunch downtown,” says Hope’s Tourism Director, Summer Chambers.

Solar Shopping Saturday will be followed by Solar Sounds Downtown that evening.

“We will have three different live bands at different times throughout downtown in various locations, and the food trucks will remain open Sunday,” says Chambers.

Next on the agenda is Solar Sunday on the Big Stage at Hope Fair Park, a concert headlined by Mae Estes.

Chambers says, “She’s a Hope native and she lives in Nashville, Tennessee now and she’s really just, her career has taken off and it will be good to see her come back home and do a good show.”

Finally, on Monday, the day of the eclipse, locals and tourists are invited to a totality tailgate at the Hope Municipal Airport.

“We will have kids’ activities, inflatables, and food trucks, and we welcome people to bring their grills to tailgate and just treat it as a family fun event out there,” says Chambers.

Organizers and residents are excited for the opportunity to give people an unforgettable experience.

Chambers says, “To us, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Locals are excited. We always love to show off our town, and people come in. We strive every day to make everything better and welcome our guests.”

The entire event is free and open to the public.

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