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Odessans gather at UTPB’s Stonehenge to witness summer solstice sunrise
By Michael Bauer at Odessa American (oaoa.com)
· June 21, 2026
· 3 min read
While clouds may have blocked most of the view, “the sun still came up”, as University of Texas Permian Basin Associate Art Professor Chris Stanley joked, during the sunrise of this year’s summer solstice Sunday at UTPB’s Stonehenge.
Close to a hundred people came out to experience the summer sol...
Key takeaway We were worried there for 15 minutes or so.
Why this matters in The Odessa
The summer solstice gathering at UTPB's Stonehenge replica is more than just a quirky local tradition - it's a testament to the power of public art to bring people together. As Chris Stanley noted, the event has been drawing visitors from across the region, including from as far away as Austin and Kansas, which is a boon for local businesses and a boost to the area's cultural reputation. The fact that close to a hundred people braved cloudy skies to witness the sunrise suggests that the event has become an integral part of the community's calendar. Moreover, the Stonehenge replica itself is a significant attraction, having drawn thousands of visitors to West Texas since its completion in 2004. As the city looks to promote tourism and community engagement, events like the summer solstice gathering at Stonehenge offer a valuable model for how to leverage public art and unique local assets to build a stronger sense of community and civic pride.
About this story
Original reporting by Odessa American (oaoa.com) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Odessa American (oaoa.com) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 21, 2026 ·
Source: Odessa American (oaoa.com) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? While clouds may have blocked most of the view, “the sun still came up”, as University of Texas Permian Basin Associate Art Professor Chris Stanley joked, during the sunrise of this year’s summer solstice Sunday at UTPB’s Stonehenge.
Close to a hundred people came out to experience the summer sol...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 21, 2026 by Odessa American (oaoa.com) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Michael Bauer at Odessa American (oaoa.com). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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