(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Chamber and Visitors Bureau is making plans for a rare occurrence later this year—a total eclipse of the sun.

Director Deidra Leander told the Hiawatha City Commission Tuesday evening that its to happen at 1:05 the afternoon of  August 21st and will last more than 2 ½ minutes.  

It will be the first total eclipse in the United States in four decades and the First coast-to-coast eclipse in a century.

Leander said Hiawatha is one of a very few communities in Kansas that will  experience the actual total eclipse, which could bring a large number of visitors to the community.  

She says motels in Atchison and St. Joseph are already completely booked for that date.

Leander says the Chamber is making preparations for the once in a lifetime occurrence.  She said they are considering utilizing Noble Field as a centralized location, which would provide ample parking and open fields for telescope viewing areas.  Leander said Hiawatha High School also plans to have telescopes set up.  

She says the Chamber is in the process of forming committees to help in making preparations.

Leander also presented Commissioners with a copy of the new logo that’s been developed following the merger of the Chamber and Convention and Visitor’s Bureau last year, and said they on working on a new web site.

Leander said the Chamber has set a goal for 2017 to increase membership.  She said they ended last year with 76 members and currently have 68.