Sunrise over Ron Coleman Quartz Mine. Submitted photo.
By Cassidy Kendall
The town has been buzzing for well over a year about the April 8th solar eclipse, which will have a totality of 4 minutes and 28 seconds.
“You would never believe what happened to Casper, Wyoming in 2017!” tourism hub Visit Hot Springs all but shouted in the streets to local businesses. “They were a small town just like us lying in the path of totality. People will flood the town. Make sure you have fuel and groceries!”
It didn’t take long for local businesses to hop on the bandwagon to plan what they would be doing to ensure people will have a good, safe time. Ron Coleman Mining is the perfect example of a business doing its due-diligence, stepping up, and trying something new for the sake of accommodating this novel event. Besides, what better way to celebrate a celestial event than camping at a music festival in a crystal mine?
The 2024 Solar Eclipse Music Festival (April 6-8) is the brainchild of Ron Coleman Mining owners Kevin and Kathy Coleman’s son, Alex Coleman. “I saw the last solar eclipse in Oregon and I just thought wow this would be awesome to see at the crystal mine,” Coleman said.
Over 200 bands applied to be a part of the three-day event, and 20 were selected in genres ranging from country to rock. In addition to live music, the festival will also host vendors, offer crystal digging, ziplining over the quartz mine, and touring the mine. Shuttles will also be available.
Tickets can be purchased at roncolemanmining.com.’Tickets can be purchased at roncolemanmining.com.
