Write a commentIn case you haven't heard, there is going to be a little bit of early spring excitement happening in upstate New York next week.
Our area lies along the path of a solar eclipse on the afternoon of Monday, April 8. It is expected that as many as 3.7 million people worldwide will travel to areas that will experience totality - when the sun is completely blocked by the shadow of the moon. Much of Oswego County will see nearly three and a half minutes of the total eclipse, so local officials and businesses are rolling out the red carpet to welcome an expected throng of visitors to the area hoping to witness this rare natural event.
The City of Oswego is hosting an Eclipse Weekend, according to Amy Murphy, director of the city's Economic Development Office. "This eclipse has been on our radar for several years," she said. "Our office has worked with all of our city departments as well as our small business community to make the most of this opportunity to showcase all that Oswego has to offer."
The City has planned an Eclipse Weekend Downtown Block Party from 4:00 - 9:00 pm on Sunday, April 7 on West 1st with music by the Jess Novak Band. Downtown restaurants and stores will be open to welcome visitors.
Breitbeck Park on Lake Street will be one of the prime viewing areas for the main event on Monday afternoon. The City is hosting an Eclipse Viewing Area at Breitbeck from 1:00 - 6:00 pm on Monday, April 8 with In The Flesh, a Pink Floyd tribute band. There will be local vendors set up near the pavilion, and the City will offer free eclipse glasses (while supplies last).
Historic Fort Ontario on the City's east side will be open for free visitation on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The Fort will also offer its 36 acres of open area for viewing of the eclipse on Monday afternoon, though the Fort itself will not be open (There will be no public parking available at the Fort on Monday).
The City of Oswego has set up a satellite parking area for the weekend at 410 West 1st Street, the site of the former Shapiro Motors. In cooperation with the Broadwell Hospitality Group, there will be a free shuttle on Sunday from the Best Western Hotel to downtown and the parking area. On Monday the free shuttle stops will also include Fort Ontario and Breitbeck Park.
SUNY-Oswego will be holding an eclipse viewing party on the grounds of the Marano Campus Center on Monday afternoon. They'll have a DJ playing music, and offer free t-shirts and eclipse glasses while supplies last. The campus will also host a free STEM Community Day on Saturday afternoon. There are also several learning opportunities on campus during the weekend including the launching of weather balloons to observe the eclipse from above the Earth.
Also, the City of Fulton and the Fulton School District have teamed together to hold a Total Eclipse Of The Park event on Monday afternoon at the Fulton War Memorial and Pop Warner Park. They'll have vendors there, along with music provided by Twin Towers DJ's and the G.Ray Bodley High School Jazz Band.
With a large number of visitors expected to be in town to observe the spectacle of the eclipse, Oswego Fire Chief Paul Conzone said that his department will be ready for any situation that might arise. "We will have assets strategically located around the city to ensure a quick and effective response to any emergencies," he said.
"All of us at IHeartOswego hope that all who choose to watch the eclipse in Oswego County have a wonderful time," said owner Bekkah Frisch. "This is a once in a lifetime event, and what better place to experience it than in Oswego?"
