The city of Avon Lake will bear witness to a once-in-a-lifetime celestial event April 8, 2024.
The area will be in the line of totality for a total solar eclipse, which some have dubbed “The Great North American Eclipse.”
In anticipation of the city’s time in the solar spotlight, Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd, will host an Eclipse Kickoff Party on April 1, said branch communications manager Shea Alltmont.
“This is the best place you could be because we will have the most amount of time to view the eclipse when it goes through here,” Alltmont said.
The event will begin a year-long celebration of the good fortune of being in the line of totality, she said.
The party is happening now because in addition to the total eclipse, the city will experience a partial eclipse this year on Oct. 14.
“We’re pretty excited, and this is definitely a start to a year-long celebration of all things celestial, especially as we prepare to be in the line of totality on April 8, 2024,” Alltmont said.
The party will include eclipse-inspired crafts, as well as various presentations from figures in the celestial community, she said.
The population of Avon Lake could more than triple during the week of the eclipse, as travelers flock to towns within the line of totality, Alltmont said.
“We know that this is a significant event, especially for celestial or astronomical-inclined people,” she said. “(They’re) really excited about this type of, you almost want to say once-in-a-lifetime, or very rare event.”
According to Alltmont, the event will highlight the scientific community.
As the center of the city’s educational community, the library wanted to give a platform to local leaders in celestial research.
Suzie Wells, director of Hoover-Price Planetarium in Canton, will attend and share some of the science behind eclipses, Alltmont said.
The program is first-come, first-served, she said.
“We’re going to have several telescopes that will be available,” Alltmont said. “They’re high-powered telescopes that will be available and that’s how we can teach people.”
Additionally, the party will have “eclipse prize packs” for attendees to win.
The packs will include, among other astronomy-based prizes, eclipse viewing glasses.
The popular specialty glasses are necessary for viewing and already are on back-order for some companies, Alltmont said.
Those aiming to safely view the eclipse should look into buying a set as soon as possible, she said.
“(We’re going to be) showing people what they’re going to be looking for,” Alltmont said. “Some people might want to go and get a telescope and figure out how to do this.
“Safety is one of our really big concerns. We really want to make sure that people are doing this in the safest way.”
The Eclipse Kick Off Party will run from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., April 1.
