City of Fulton announces activities for solar eclipse on April 8

FULTON, New York February 26, 2024 — The City of Fulton has partnered with the Fulton Special Events Committee and the Fulton City School District for a “Total Eclipse of the Park” event from noon to 4 p.m. on April 8, 2024.

There will be a bounce house, food trucks, DJ’s and other family-oriented activities with a variety of community groups. The Fulton CSD will teach eclipse content for grades K through 12 and observe a half-day.

Also on tap are eclipse programs offered by the Fulton Public Library, Catholic Charities, CNY Arts and the Fulton YMCA.

City of Fulton Parks and Recreation Director Chris Waldron said: “Businesses should plan to be open and fully staffed and restaurants should be prepared for larger than usual crowds.”

Oswego County is expecting an influx of anywhere from 150,000 to 600,000 people to observe the eclipse, which begins at approximately 2 p.m. Total darkness is expected at 3:17 p.m. and will last for 3 minutes and 15 seconds.

During that time, the temperature will drop about ten degrees, the birds will stop singing and the street lights will come on.

If you plan to view the eclipse, you should have eclipse glasses or a hand-held solar viewer for viewing. A list of suppliers can be found on the American Astronomical Society’s eclipse website at https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/viewers-filters.

Some tips for Eclipse Day:

– Fill your gas tank early as more people in the area may mean longer lines at the pumps.
– If using Oswego County public transit, you may experience delays due to increased traffic.
– Purchase groceries several days before the eclipse to avoid congestion at the store. Be advised that if you plan to shop on April 8, check hours as they may change. Plan on having cash for purchases.
– Dress appropriately for the weather. Climate conditions can change during the spring in Central New York.
– If traveling on the afternoon of the eclipse, be prepared for nighttime conditions before during and after the eclipse.
– Early dismissal at schools will mean buses on the road earlier than usual.
– For more information on the eclipse, visit the Oswego County Tourism eclipse webpage at https://visitoswegocounty.com/eclipse/.

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