By Jamie Seed, 2017
Solar Strings is a four-day eclipse festival set in Astral Valley, a large interactive art park just 45 minutes from St. Louis. The festival has family-friendly activities planned for the entire weekend and culminates with the viewing of a total solar eclipse on April 8 at 2 p.m.
By Jamie Seed, 2017
Sheena Cox founded Astral Valley 12 years ago after touring the country performing with giant puppets. She grew tired of traveling and longed for a home base where she could host large-scale events. When Sheena found the Valley, she felt it was the perfect space. “It’s a beautiful property that has so much to offer with swimming holes and freshwater springs,” she shares.
In the last 12 years, Astral Valley has hosted music festivals, wellness retreats, and other special events. It hosted a sold-out festival in 2017 for the last solar eclipse, and the people who attended asked for another one. “Everyone kept asking me to do something, and so we’re going to do something,” she says with a laugh.
By Jamie Seed, 2017
Solar Strings has an extensive lineup of Bluegrass artists, including Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, the Tim O’Brien Band, and Steve ‘N’ Seagulls. There will also be a guided meditation led by SirriAtma Kaur from the main stage.
The weekend also commemorates a new public climbing access.
By Jamie Seed, 2017
“We're excited Astral Valley will host new limestone sport routes and the best limestone bouldering in Eastern Missouri. We hope that new climbing access will increase the amount of local climbers and strengthen the overall climbing community in St Louis,” says Nick Richards, the senior leader of the Eastern Missouri Climbers Association.
Nick and his team at EMCA have been planning routes and putting fixed anchors into the rocks. During the festival weekend, harnesses and crash pads will be available for people who want to give climbing a try.
By Jamie Seed, 2017
“It’ll allow people to get out of their bubble and experience nature in a really wonderful way. We’re going to be offering this for the first time, and we're pretty excited about the climbing,” Sheena says.
The festival is expected to sell out. Sheena recommends that attendees pack like they would for a camping trip with jackets for cooler night temperatures. There is free water on-site, so bring a refillable water bottle. The ticket price is inclusive of all workshops and activities, so attendees don’t need to worry about carrying a lot of money around with them.
