CHICKASHA, Oklahoma – A south-central Oklahoma city won’t be in the path of totality for April 8’s solar eclipse, but Chickasha will celebrate, anyway, and it has one thing nowhere else along the way can boast: a giant Leg Lamp.
The structure is modeled after the iconic prop in the 1983 holiday classic, “A Christmas Story.” Chickasha resident Noland James was credited in his obituary as the person who invented the leg lamp, according to the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce.The “major award,” as actor Darren McGavin referred to it in the movie, officially reopened as a permanent attraction on Nov. 5, 2022. It stands on a 10-foot box, and is 40 feet tall.
The Eclipse Picnic at the Chickasha Leg Lamp will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Monday, April 8. Visitors are welcome to gather at the leg lamp, at 100 W. Chickasha Ave., as early as 10 a.m. to set up for the day.
The event was organized by Amanda Lack, Chickasha’s Downtown Park Ambassador. This will be the second eclipse picnic at the Chickasha Leg Lamp; the first was held during the annular solar eclipse in October 2023.
About 500 pairs of eclipse glasses will be available for purchase at the Downtown Mercantile and visitors center for $3. All proceeds will be donated to the Chickasha Community Foundation to benefit a new downtown park, which is built around and to the south of the Leg Lamp.
The partial eclipse will begin around 12:26 p.m., peak at 1:44 p.m., and conclude at 3:03 p.m. Those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for a comfortable viewing experience. Attendees may bring a lunch or grab a to-go meal from several restaurants adjacent to the park. A food truck will also be on site. Artwork will be sold and family games will be set up at the park.
The fiberglass lamp was built in phases, replacing a temporary structure. The lampshade portion was installed by crane after the leg was erected. After that, the leg was painted and a fishnet stocking installed. The whole thing stands on a box resembling a wooden crate, as in the movie.
City officials say the Chickasha Leg Lamp is more durable than its predecessor, an inflatable leg lamp that caught national and international attention in November 2020 and picked up several awards from the Oklahoma Travel Association.
Future amenities at the park are expected ti ubckyde include an amphitheater, jogging and walking trails, tributes to people with local ties, a food truck court, children’s play area and more, according to Chickasha’s Economic Development Council.