(AP) — More and more businesses are taking advantage of the total solar eclipse set to dim skies across North America on Monday.
In the snacks department alone, Krispy Kreme is teaming up with Oreo to sell a limited doughnut-cookie creation. The sweet treat combines Krispy Kreme’s original glazed doughnut dipped in black chocolate icing, garnished with silver sprinkles, piped with buttercreme made with Oreo cookie pieces, and topped with an Oreo.
Sonic Drive-In is selling a “Blackout Slush Float” which is described as a drink with vanilla soft-serve ice cream, blackout slush flavor and galaxy sprinkles.
Frito-Lay’s SunChips has unveiled a new flavor that will only be available during the celestial event’s nearly 4 and a half minutes of totality. The solar eclipse flavor is a pineapple habanero and black bean spicy gouda.
MoonPie also kicked off a “Sun vs. Moon” smackdown-themed campaign as the chocolate snack maker promotes its “eclipse survival kit,” made up of four mini MoonPies and two pairs of eclipse glasses.
Meanwhile, airlines like Southwest and Delta have advertised eclipse-viewing flight paths. And beyond promotions from big-name brands, small businesses along the 115-mile-wide prime path are leading the charge to meet the incoming tourist demand.
Some towns and local vendors have been anticipating the celestial event and its huge crowds for years. There are oodles of special eclipse safety glasses for sale, along with T-shirts emblazoned with clever slogans and more astronomical souvenirs. Other offerings include eclipse-themed beer, specialty dining packages and watch parties at amusement parks, wineries and zoos.
Marketing tied to rare spectacles, like the sun’s disappearing act behind the moon, isn’t new.
In 2017, the last time the U.S. saw a big slice of a total solar eclipse, scores of companies tapped into the action — including Krispy Kreme.
The Charlotte, North Carolina-based company previously rolled out limited-edition chocolate glazed doughnuts for the 2017 eclipse, and those treats have made a few returns since. But that might not be the case for this year’s “Total Solar Eclipse Doughnut.”
The Krispy Kreme-Oreo combo is set to be available from Friday through Monday, according to an announcement from the chain this week. The donuts are only available at participating Krispy Kreme locations. In the 352, you can find them in Gainesville at the store on NW 13th Street. Find the closest participating store to you by clicking here and typing in your city.