News: Solar Eclipse Event Planned for Gratwick Park
| Date Published |
Author |
| 1/23/2024 12:00:00 AM |
|
NT's Blackout Bash
PARKING PASSES ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR PRE-SALE ONLINE
WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?
On Monday April 8, 2024 a natural phenomenon will be visible in our area for the first time in nearly a century. There will be a total solar eclipse, and our region is in the direct path of totality!
In a solar eclipse, the moon gets between the Sun and Earth. In a total solar eclipse, people who are in the path of totality see the Sun’s bright disk totally covered by the Moon for a short time.
The Moon will begin to cover the Sun at 2:04 pm. Using a safe solar viewing method, we will see more and more of the Sun covered by the Moon over the next 70 minutes. This time is called a partial phase because the Sun is partially covered by the Moon. Totality begins at approximately 3:18pm and lasts about 3 minutes 45 seconds for viewers on the centerline. The farther you are from the centerline, the shorter totality will last. After totality, the Moon gradually uncovers the Sun in a second partial phase. The eclipse ends for Buffalo viewers at about 4:32 pm.
New York State has not experienced a total solar eclipse for nearly a century. January 24, 1925, was a cloudy winter day in Western New York and the eclipse was not visible; it got dark for a few minutes, but unfortunately, observers were unable to see the moon, the Sun, or the Sun’s corona through the clouds. The total eclipse was visible in New York City where the skies happened to be clearer.
After April 2024, the next partial solar eclipse in our region will be August 12, 2045. The next total solar eclipse over our region will be October 26, 2144.
(Information above provided by https://buffaloeclipse.org and https://www.sciencebuff.org/eclipse/ )
HOW ARE WE CELEBRATING?
The City of North Tonawanda will be hosting a viewing party and celebration coined "NT's Blackout Bash". The event will take place at Gratwick Riverside Park (1300 River Road) from 12:00pm-6:00pm. With thousands of people from all over anticipated to flock to our region to view the eclipse, we decided to close down the park and host an event for our community. "Gratwick Riverside Park is a prime area for viewing based on the size of the park, and the clear and clean sight lines.", said Parks & Recreation Director Alex Domaradzki. "With schools closed for the day, we wanted to give everyone an opportunity to come out and celebrate this memorable once-in-a-lifetime natural phenomenon", Domaradzki added.
This event isn't just for families and kids, it's for everyone! The Blackout Bash has been tailored to be a fun experience for all ages. A festival-like atmosphere will be on tap, with food vendors (The Metting Place, Pete's Hoagie Rollers, Gratwick Chowder, Jamie's Ice Cream Desserts, Tipsy Whips), beer tent, stage entertainment (The UpGuys 12:30-2:30pm and The Floyd Concept 3:30-5:30pm) bounce houses, kids games & activities and a unique shopping experience with over 40 local crafters/vendors/artisans setting up booths selling a variety of local items.
The event is free to the public however there will be a charge to park a vehicle in the park. Based on the high expected number of participants flocking to the park for this event, there will be limited amounts of parking space on-site. "It's a unique time of year to hold a big event at this park", Domaradzki said. "Typically for events of this size we utilize the grass areas as parking, but considering the timing, the grass will be off limits for vehicles with anticipation of it being soft and wet", Domaradzki elaborated.
That being said, the Recreation Department has created some parking package options for those who'd like to ensure they get a spot to park on-site ahead of time.
PARKING PASS OPTIONS (click on the option to purchase)
PARKING PASSES ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR ONLINE PURCHASE
Family Event Pack ($20):
-Parking pass at Gratwick Fire Hall
-Shuttle ride to and from the park on an antique fire truck
-Eclipse glasses for 4
VIP Parking Pass ($15)
-Access to limited on-site parking right in the park
General Parking ($10):
-Parking access at Gratwick Fire Hall
-Shuttle to and from park
Tee Shirts no longer available for pre-sale online.