Monday’s eclipse is expected to be a once-in-a-lifetime event for many, with a total eclipse set to occur along Lake Erie and Lake Ontario from Windsor to Cornwall. Large crowds are anticipated to gather in areas like Niagara Falls and Fort Erie, which will experience extended periods of darkness. To accommodate the event, numerous school boards have closed their doors for the safety of students who may have been traveling home during the eclipse. However, there are plenty of other locations across Ontario where residents can enjoy the viewing experience without heading to Niagara Region.
In Windsor-Essex, the eclipse is set to begin at around 1:58 p.m. and reach full eclipse at 3:12 p.m. Pelee Island and the north shore of Lake Erie are recommended areas for optimal viewing, although parking at Point Pelee National Park is limited. Elgin County also offers several prime viewing spots, with the main event expected to begin at 3:16 p.m. Norfolk County, Fort Erie, and Crystal Beach are all in the path of totality, with events and festivals planned to celebrate the eclipse.
Niagara Falls is expected to be one of the most picturesque spots to view the eclipse, with National Geographic highlighting its ideal vantage points. The city is expected to experience around three minutes and 32 seconds of darkness. Other nearby locations like St. Catharines, Hamilton, Burlington, Northumberland County, Trenton/Quinte West, Prince Edward County, Belleville, Kingston, Brockville, and Cornwall will also be in the path of totality and are preparing for the event with special viewing areas and events planned.
Niagara Parks police anticipate large crowds at Queen Victoria Park in Niagara Falls, where concerts and a fireworks display are scheduled. Additional viewing locations in the area include Firemen’s Park, MacBain Community Centre Park, and Old Fort Erie. Hamilton has designated four large parks as ideal viewing sites and will have volunteers distributing free glasses at each location. Burlington will hold an event at Spencer Smith Park with the mayor and city council present, as well as staff on-site to provide glasses to attendees.
Northumberland County expects an influx of visitors to waterfront communities like Cobourg, Port Hope, and Brighton for the eclipse. Quinte West, Prince Edward County, Belleville, Kingston, Brockville, and Cornwall are also preparing for the event with viewing locations and special events planned. Kingston, with a population that could potentially triple with visitors, is expecting a maximum totality of nearly three minutes. Cornwall will be the end of the path for the eclipse in Ontario, and an Eclipse Party in the Park is planned at Lamoureux Park to celebrate the event.
