500K visitors expected in Kingston, Ont. for the total solar eclipse
The City of Kingston is asking residents to watch the total solar eclipse from their backyard or close to home next month, with up to half a million visitors expected to arrive in the Limestone City for the rare celestial event.
The city is in the path of totality for the rare solar eclipse on April 8, when the moon moves between the sun and the earth.
"The entire city will be in the path of totality, so once you have high-quality solar eclipse glasses, you can experience the eclipse from anywhere in town!" the city said in a media release.
"Residents of Kingston should view the eclipse in their neighbourhood or close to where they live to minimize the amount of traffic on the roadways."
Residents and visitors are being urged to use public transit, walk or cycle to get to their destinations. Bus service will be free on April 8.
The city is hosting a free special event at Glass Creek Park on Highway 2 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on April 8, featuring live entertainment, food trucks, educational programming and more.
The expected trajectory of the 2024 solar eclipse. (Photo: eclipse2024.org)
The City of Kingston says the following sites will offer washroom access, and Eclipse Ambassadors from Queen's University will be available to answer questions:
- Lake Ontario Park - 920 King St. West
- INVISTA Centre (south field) - 135 Gardiners Rd.
- Cataraqui Kinsmen Arena - 1030 Sunnyside Rd.
- Kingston East Community Centre (Grenadier Park) - 779 Hwy. 15
- Lion's Civic Gardens/Isabel Turner Library - 935 Gardiners Rd. (parking at Cataraqui Centre)
- LaSalle Secondary School - 773 Hwy. 15
- Maple Elementary School - 529 St. Martha St.
- Frontenac Secondary School - 1789 Bath Rd.
- Bayridge Secondary School - 1059 Taylor Kidd Blvd.
The partial solar eclipse will begin in Kingston at 2:09 p.m. on April 8, with the full eclipse at 3:22 p.m. The full eclipse will end at 3:25 p.m., with the partial eclipse ending at 4:34 p.m.
The last total solar eclipse in Kingston was almost 700 years ago, and the next one won't be until 2399.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
opinion Tom Mulcair: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's train wreck of a final act
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader and political analyst Tom Mulcair puts a spotlight on the 'spectacular failure' of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's final act on the political stage.
B.C. mayor gets calls from across Canada about 'crazy' plan to recruit doctors
A British Columbia community's "out-of-the-box" plan to ease its family doctor shortage by hiring physicians as city employees is sparking interest from across Canada, says Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi.
'There’s no support': Domestic abuse survivor shares difficulties leaving her relationship
An Edmonton woman who tried to flee an abusive relationship ended up back where she started in part due to a lack of shelter space.
opinion King Charles' Christmas: Who's in and who's out this year?
Christmas 2024 is set to be a Christmas like no other for the Royal Family, says royal commentator Afua Hagan. King Charles III has initiated the most important and significant transformation of royal Christmas celebrations in decades.
Baseball Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson dead at 65, reports say
Rickey Henderson, a Baseball Hall of Famer and Major League Baseball’s all-time stolen bases leader, is dead at 65, according to multiple reports.
Arizona third-grader saves choking friend
An Arizona third-grader is being recognized by his local fire department after saving a friend from choking.
Germans mourn the 5 killed and 200 injured in the apparent attack on a Christmas market
Germans on Saturday mourned the victims of an apparent attack in which authorities say a doctor drove into a busy outdoor Christmas market, killing five people, injuring 200 others and shaking the public’s sense of security at what would otherwise be a time of joy.
Blake Lively accuses 'It Ends With Us' director Justin Baldoni of harassment and smear campaign
Blake Lively has accused her 'It Ends With Us' director and co-star Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of the movie and a subsequent effort to “destroy' her reputation in a legal complaint.
Oysters distributed in B.C., Alberta, Ontario recalled for norovirus contamination
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall due to possible norovirus contamination of certain oysters distributed in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.