With growing concern for the number of people expected to descend on Northeast Texas for the once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse April 8, Mineola City Council debated at length Monday how to handle plans for the Mineola Nature Preserve, but delayed that decision until next month.

The discussion was preceded by a briefing from the Texas Dept. of Emergency Management on what kinds of challenges to anticipate as 180,000 to 720,000 people are projected to make their way into the area.

The Mineola Parks and Open Spaces board has been working on plans for the preserve as a viewing spot since 2020 and has scheduled a three-day event, Eclipse Fest.

The day of the eclipse, which falls on a Monday, would require tickets and be limited to 3,000 people.

Saturday and Sunday events would be free, with the park cleared each evening, much as it is during normal operations. Extended hours are being considered for a stargazing event.

Tickets have been for sale on a website about the event, but it has not been widely promoted yet. They are $40 for adults and $20 for children.

The nature preserve has a limited number of camping and recreational vehicle spots, with no plans to expand that.

The events on the weekend include vendors, food, music, nature and science activities, astronomy and a mountain bike race on Sunday. The board is also selling approved solar eclipse viewing glasses on the website.

Those events are aimed primarily at local residents, said board president Heath Kinder.

Board member Polly Jones said the board has spent time planning an event that could be managed, which led to the 3,000 figure in discussion with local officials.

The board has engaged private security for the event.

Police Chief Chuck Bittner said all officers would be called in that day in anticipation of traffic and other issues.

“It’s going to be chaos, there’s no doubt about it,” Councilman Eric Carrington said.

Public works director Kyle McCoy said he is not in favor of the event due to its potential for  problems.

Some of the impacts expected in the region are heavy traffic, excess demand for food and fuel, and all accommodations from hotels to RV parks and campgrounds filled to capacity.

Cell phone and internet services are expected to be stressed, as well as automated teller machines

Local residents should consider getting gas and groceries several days ahead of the event.