EAST AURORA, N.Y. — As the total solar eclipse starts to draw near, more and more venues are planning special celebrations for April 8, 2024.
Among the groups planning well in advance is Friends of Knox Farm State Park, which will host a ticketed celebration from noon to 6 p.m. that day at the historic stables area. There will be a community watch party, viewing glasses for ticket holders, educational programming, family activities, live music, food and beverage vendors, and merchandise.
"This will be an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime experience to see the total solar eclipse in the path of totality at Knox Farm State Park. We’re excited to share this remarkable event with families from Western New York and beyond," said Kathleen York, the executive director of Friends of Knox Farm State Park.
The event will run from noon to 6 p.m. on April 8. The partial eclipse in Western New York is expected at 2:04 p.m., with the total solar eclipse happening at 3:20 p.m. The partial eclipse is expected to end at 4:32 p.m.
Friends of Knox Farm State Park said more details on tickets, parking, and programming will be provided in the future. The ticketed event will be held in a designated area, but visitors will still be allowed to other areas of the state park.
Planning for the total solar eclipse is well underway elsewhere in Western New York, with 2 On Your Side finding that school districts and emergency management directors are preparing for the special event.
Just about all districts in Erie County, with the exception so far of Buffalo city schools, will be closed that day.