Valls, in Tarragona, has almost filled its free ticket allocation for the total solar eclipse event on 12 August. The town council says 3,800 of the 4,000 passes released on 20 May were issued within two weeks.
The strong demand has led the council to consider whether the event can take more people. The viewing will be held in an open field on Blanquers Street in the industrial estate, but councillor for culture Joan Ibarra said any increase would need a fresh look at services and security. “It has to be analysed,” he said.
Valls is one of 20 places recommended by the Catalan government for watching the eclipse, based on visibility, safety, accessibility and mobility. The town has also set up a programme under the theme “Valls Looks at the Sky”, with science outreach, astronomical observation, family activities, music and other events.
The programme starts at 6pm and runs past midnight, ending with the Perseid meteor shower, also known as the Tears of Saint Lawrence. One local resident, Mireia, said she booked four tickets for her family because they wanted to experience the event in a different way and liked the afternoon and evening format.
Alongside the event, Valls will hand out 16,000 approved eclipse glasses to residents. The glasses will have a design created by local artist Berta Artigal.
The schedule includes a 6.30pm concert by Reggae per Xics, the eclipse at 7.35pm and its peak at 8.29pm, guided observation with astrophotographer Carlos Uriarte, then performances by Fenya Rai!, Destil·lats and DJ Pep Sánchez before the relaxed area opens at midnight for meteor watching.
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