McMinnville officials have approved Blackout 2017, a party in historic downtown McMinnville on Monday, Aug. 21 to celebrate the total solar eclipse.McMinnville’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted unanimously Tuesday to allow street closures around Court Square, slow/watch for pedestrian signs along the Main Street area, the use of electricity, the use of the grassy lot, and stage equipment. Main Street McMinnville, McMinnville-Warren County Chamber of Commerce, and the city’s Parks and Recreation Department are collaborating on Blackout 2017: Great American Eclipse Party, a communitywide event that will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Court Square.Eclipse viewers will enjoy a very special live music event with The Sound Machine spinning hits with a cosmic theme, live streaming of NASA coverage of the eclipse, and much more. Organizers intend for the event to celebrate astronomy and science of all types with astronomy-themed arts and crafts for kids and the Warren County School District’s STEM on Wheels trailer on site.