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.
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