Sonic's 7 Topeka locations to offer blackout-themed drink and give away eclipse glasses

Tim Hrenchir, Topeka Capital-Journal
·3 min read

Kansas won't be in the path of totality, but Missouri and Oklahoma will be when the total eclipse of the sun takes place during the afternoon on April 8.

A partial solar eclipse will be seen from Topeka beginning at 12:36 p.m., maximizing at 1:53 p.m. and ending at 3:09 p.m., according to timeanddate.com.

To help customers safety watch that astronomical phenomenon, Sonic Drive-In — which has seven sites in Topeka, two each in Hutchinson and Salina and one in South Hutchinson — will give away solar eclipse viewing glasses.

One pair of those glasses will be handed out, while supplies last, with each purchase of the limited-edition Blackout Slush Float that Sonic will offer for sale from Monday, March 25, through May 5, Sonic said in a news release.

Prices for the float will vary. The out-of-this-world beverage include flavors of cotton candy and dragon fruit, with the all-black slush representing the temporary darkness from the solar eclipse, Sonic says. It will be topped with white soft serve and blue and purple galaxy-themed sprinkles.

Sonic Drive-In will offer its limited-edition Blackout Slush Float for sale from Monday through May 5.
Sonic Drive-In will offer its limited-edition Blackout Slush Float for sale from Monday through May 5.

What is a solar eclipse?

The April 8 solar eclipse will be the first in the U.S. since 2017 and the last until 2044, according to NASA. A celestial object can create an eclipse by passing in front of another and obscuring the view of objects, such as the sun.

A total eclipse occurs when the moon appears to be the same size as the sun and blocks the entire view of the sun from Earth, bringing a temporary period of darkness and enabling observers to see the outmost layer of the sun's atmosphere, the corona. The darkness can confuse animals, causing nocturnal creatures to become active.

The April 8 total eclipse will chart a 115-mile-wide path of totality across parts of Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. In the U.S.,13 states and an estimated 44 million people from Texas to Maine are along its path.

The April 8 total solar eclipse, in passing over the U.S., will go northeast following this path from Texas to Maine, NASA says.
The April 8 total solar eclipse, in passing over the U.S., will go northeast following this path from Texas to Maine, NASA says.

May I look directly at the eclipse?

NASA experts warn people against looking directly at the sun during a solar eclipse without specialized eye protection, saying that could cause permanent eye damage and potential blindness.

Those watching a solar eclipse are asked to use approved solar viewing glasses (also known as "eclipse glasses") or a handheld solar viewer. Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the eclipse, NASA says.

A total solar eclipse can only be viewed without protective eyewear during totality, which is when the sun is completely covered by the moon, it says.

The International Organization for Standardization has approved the glasses Sonic is giving out for short term, direct observation of the sun, Sonic says. The glasses have been lab-tested to ensure they are safe and meet all applicable rules and regulations, it says.

Where can I find a nearby Sonic Drive-In?

Sonic has Topeka sites at the following addresses:

  • 636 N.W. US-24 highway.

  • 1221 S.W. Gage Blvd.

  • 2053 S.W. Western Ave.

  • 3520 S.E. 29th.

  • 3721 S.W. Topeka Blvd.

  • 3820 S.W. 29th.

  • 5922 S.W. 21st.

Salina has locations at 310 S. Santa Fe Ave. and 2615 Market Place, and Hutchinson has sites at 621 E. 4th Ave. and 1600 E. 30th Ave.; and a South Hutchinson site at 3 Des Moines W.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Sonic, with 7 Topeka locations, to offer eclipse glasses with purchase