Abstract

I describe the preparation for the April 8, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse in Erie, Pennsylvania. Many partners collaborated to make this event an amazing success for residents and visitors.

Erie’s Story

On April 8, 2024, Erie, Pennsylvania, witnessed a rare celestial event—a total solar eclipse. The influx of visitors resulted in significant economic benefits to Erie area businesses, including lodging, restaurants, gas stations, and retail. An estimated 100,000 people visited the area between April 5-8, 2024, spending an estimated $3 million. This extraordinary occurrence brought the Erie community together in unprecedented ways, showcasing the power of collaboration and the strength of community partnerships.

Back in the summer of 2022, VisitErie (Erie County’s destination marketing organization) formed the Erie Eclipse Regional Committee to prepare for this momentous occasion. This dedicated group of individuals represented local organizations, businesses, and government entities. Under the guidance of VisitErie, they worked together over the next 18 months to maximize the opportunity for the Erie region in terms of visibility and economic impact. They coordinated messaging and created a positive visitor experience, ensuring that the community benefited from the event in multiple ways.

One month before the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse, VisitErie unveiled its S.H.I.N.E. campaign to Erie residents. This fun acronym identified five simple things residents could do to ensure the community was at its best: 

S – Schedule your appointments for another day.

H – Have a plan and get gas, groceries, and prescriptions ahead of time.

I – Inform yourself and others. Know what is going on in the area.

N – Navigate traffic or don’t. Leave the major roadways to visitors.

E – Enjoy the moment, Erie is lucky to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime event.

The campaign aimed to rally the Erie community and instill pride by showcasing its assets. It sought to create a welcoming and memorable experience for the thousands of visitors, many of whom were first-time visitors, and to inspire them to return.

From April 5-8 visitors came to Erie from across the country and around the world to witness this spectacular event, including Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, West Virginia, New Jersey, New York City, California, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Florida, Germany, Ireland, England, and Nepal. Even Pennsylvania’s Governor, Joshua Shapiro, and NASA astronaut Woody Hoburg (a Pittsburgh native) were in attendance.

As part of an effort to spread visitors out across the region and minimize traffic tie-ups, more than forty events and public watch parties were held. From watch parties in the scenic vineyards of Lake Erie Wine Country to vibrant Downtown Erie, the beautiful Bayfront District, and Erie County’s bountiful countryside, every corner was humming with activity. Some of the events held were:

-            Eclipse Day Downtown! Children’s Educational Fair (hosted by the Erie Downtown Partnership and the expERIEnce Children’s Museum)

-            Total Eclipse at the Park (Liberty Park on Presque Isle Bay hosted by Erie-Western PA Port Authority)

-            Erie SeaWolves ‘Block’ Party at UPMC Park (Double-A Baseball/Detroit Tigers affiliate team)

-            Zooclipse: Solar Safari (hosted by the Erie Zoo)

-            Solar Eclipse Cruise on the Victorian Princess

-            Eclipse Day on the Farm (hosted by Port Farms)

-            Total Eclipse Festival at Lake Erie Speedway

-            Lights Out! (hosted by Lake Erie Wine Country)

Museums, universities, and cultural institutions also stepped up, creating educational programs and public outreach initiatives to engage residents and tourists alike. Gannon University created large eclipse viewing platforms in Downtown Erie’s Perry Square for families with young children. PennWest Edinboro University made it possible for the visually impaired to experience the eclipse using special tactile tables. To involve younger children, the expERIEnce Children’s Museum held an educational fair in Downtown Erie with lots of interactive activities. Erie Arts & Culture and FEED Media Arts Center hosted “Eclipsing Stars: A Fusion of Art, Science, and Community”. This event ran from February 16 to May 27 and offered attendees a unique opportunity to explore multimedia and immersive art installations. These initiatives not only educated people about the science of the eclipse in a fun and engaging way but also highlighted the diversity of Erie's local culture and history.

Erie’s local businesses embraced the eclipse, offering an abundance of eclipse-themed promotions, watch parties, and activities. Restaurants, bars, wineries, breweries, and distilleries presented inspired menu selections and innovative cocktails such as Moon Pie Cake and Galactic Lemonade. Hotels hosted lively parking lot parties, and local retailers created fun commemorative merchandise including apparel with clever sayings (“I Got Mooned in Erie, PA”), hand-crafted mugs, and artisan-made celestial jewelry. These enhanced efforts improved the visitor experience, boosted Erie’s economy, and provided many reasons for visitors to extend their stay or plan a return visit.

Erie’s eclipse community’s spirit of cooperation extended to safety and logistics as well. Emergency services, the City and County government, Pennsylvania State Police and local authorities coordinated and effortlessly managed crowds and traffic efficiently. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reported that traffic throughout the area was lighter than anticipated, and many of the plans that were in place to close roadways where heavy traffic was anticipated weren’t needed. Both Pennsylvania State Police and the City of Erie Police reported minimal incidents, vehicular and pedestrian, while the streets department and PennDOT remarked how clean the area was post-eclipse. It seems Erie’s eclipse visitors   

The 2024 Total Solar Eclipse was more than just an astronomical event for Erie, Pennsylvania.  It was a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared vision. In welcoming visitors from across the country and around the world, Erie truly shined brightly in the shadow of the Moon.