Looking back: One year ago, Erie was at the center of the solar eclipse's path of totality
People came from near and far to witness a celestial phenomenon that won't occur again until Aug. 22, 2044. And that total solar eclipse won't be visible in Erie.
Roughly 100,000 visitors found spots throughout the Erie region to catch the eclipse, which lasted nearly 2½ hours from beginning of partial phases to totality and finish. The total eclipse started at 3:16 p.m. in the city and lasted approximately 3 minutes, 39 seconds.
Revisit coverage from GoErie.com and the Times-News of that historic day:
Reporters from GoErie.com and the Pennsylvania's USA TODAY Network were among the sky watchers in crowds at several viewing events in Erie County and beyond. People from around the globe visited Erie for eclipse.
There was an eclipse wedding at Frontier Park, vendors all around Erie, a Gov. Josh Shapiro visit to Perry Square and UPMC Park, and events in locations throughout the county.
Roughly 100,000 people from Nepal, Germany and across the country came to Erie, according to VisitErie. But the gray skies and light rains might have kept some at home while others headed west in search of better weather on April 8, 2024.
"It wasn't just Erie," said John Oliver, CEO of VisitErie. "We noted that, along with others along the path of totality, that attendance still wasn't as high as we thought it might have gone. The weather was a factor."
That didn't get to watch it, but there were even a few babies born in Erie on eclipse day.
From the beaches of Presque Isle State Park to vineyards of North East, crowds cheered as the moon obscured the sun and made Erie a hot destination from visitors from across the country.
From the smallest of backyards to the biggest of venues — including Frontier Park, Lake Erie Speedway, UPMC Park, Perry Square, Presque Isle State Park and the remote Erie National Wildlife Refuge in Crawford County — viewers wore their ISO-certified glasses and looked to the heavens.
No one can accuse the community of failing to plan. For more than a year, leaders from tourism, law enforcement, the business community, education and local government worked to ensure that Erie seized the cosmic moment.
The Times-News provided everything residents and visitors needed to know, from the weather and traffic, to details on more than 40 different watch events during the eclipse.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Solar eclipse a year later: Erie thrived during moment of totality
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