NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — The total solar eclipse is still months away, but WNY and the state are making plans for the big day.
The Buffalo area will be in the path of totality when the solar eclipse occurs on April 8, 2024.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, tourism stakeholders in Niagara Falls, NY will be working with NASA to provide programming and special events around the eclipse.
“Niagara Falls is a spectacular natural backdrop for this once-in-a-lifetime event, and working with NASA to provide the programming and education leading up to the eclipse is sure to attract thousands of New Yorkers and visitors to the city,” Governor Hochul said in a press release. “We are excited to be working with so many of our tourism partners to bring an electric energy throughout the area for this celestial wonder.”
“We’re excited to be in New York to engage and educate Niagara Falls and surrounding communities about the total solar eclipse. We hope these events, along with all our nationwide eclipse activities, inspire and encourage the next generation – the Artemis Generation – of explorers, scientists, and engineers," said NASA Associate Administrator for Science Nicola Fox.
The special events and exhibits will begin April 4, 2024 at various locations in Niagara Falls, including Niagara Falls Public Libraries, The Underground Railroad Heritage Center, The Aquarium of Niagara, the New York Power Authority Power Vista, the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute and Niagara Falls State Park.
All of these events will be free and open to the public throughout the weekend leading up to April 8.
Earlier this year, Governor Hochul announced some state park campgrounds would be opening early to accommodate visitors for the eclipse.
New York State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “We have been planning for this event for several years and in our wildest dreams couldn’t have imagined being able to work with NASA to provide this incredible experience. We know that people will be flocking to the city and Park to take part in all of the events leading up to the big moment.”
Event information will be updated here: https://www.niagarafallsusa.com/2024-solar-eclipse and https://www.iloveny.com/events/eclipse-2024/
For more information on the science of the eclipse see https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/eclipses/2024/apr-8-total/overview/