People watching the early phase of the 2017 solar eclipse in Riverside Park, Rexburg, Idaho.

Fun Ways to Have an Amazing Hometown Eclipse Party

Fun Ways to Have an Amazing Hometown Eclipse Party

The next total solar eclipse to be observable from the United States will be on April 8, 2024. The path of totality runs from the Northeast through the Midwest and across Central and Western Texas, with the center line cutting through some of the best towns in America. If you happen to live in one of those towns, the total eclipse is a great opportunity to show off what you’re neck of the woods has to offer, and you may even be able to throw an eclipse party that celebrates your hometown pride.

Here are a few of the towns that will fall within the path of totality for the total eclipse in 2024, and some ways that you can make the most of the experience, whether you’re a resident or just visiting.

 

Rochester, New York

Downtown Rochester New York by the water.

Both Rochester and Buffalo lie within the path of totality for the 2024 total eclipse, but Rochester is a bit closer to the “center line,” making this an ideal location to experience the eclipse in full. Located along the shores of Lake Ontario in Western New York, Rochester has plenty of culture to explore, including Park Avenue and the Arts Neighborhood, and plenty of places to observe the eclipse, including the Highland Park Botanical Gardens and Genesee Valley Park near the University of Rochester.

If you live in Rochester, consider working with the Highland Park Botanical Gardens to throw an eclipse experience event that combines learning about nature both on the ground and in the skies above! Plus, by hosting your eclipse party in the botanical gardens, you are likely to hear the soundscape of the animals change as the Moon passes in front of the Sun!

 

Indianapolis, Indiana

Don’t think Indy can handle hosting an eclipse party? Think again! Indianapolis is home to the largest sports venue in the world, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with a capacity of 400,000 spectators. In addition to the enormous racetrack, Indy boasts a world-class zoo, Children’s Museum, and a revitalized downtown, complete with restaurants and breweries.

If you’re an Indiana resident and want to see something special for the 2024 eclipse, why not hit up those local breweries to see who can come up with a unique eclipse-themed beer to celebrate the event? That way, you can experience the eclipse through yet another sense – taste!

 

Carbondale, Illinois

With a population of 25,000, Carbondale may not be the biggest city on this list, but it certainly holds a rare position as one of the few places that was in the path of totality in 2017 and will once again be right along the center line in 2024.

If you live in Carbondale, the 2024 eclipse is a wonderful opportunity to share your salt of the earth culture with the hoards of eclipse chasers who will be visiting this time around. Who knows – maybe you can even work with the city to dub your town the Eclipse Capital of the United States to draw an even bigger eclipse gathering!

 

Dallas, Texas

Dallas Texas Skyline circa 2005

Dallas is the biggest metropolitan area on this list and, along with its neighbors Austin and San Antonio, is sure to be a popular destination for the 2024 eclipse. But the April 8 date has the chance to be extra special for anyone who has a love of not just eclipses, but baseball, too.

The Texas Rangers are considering hosting Opening Day in Dallas on the day of the eclipse and distributing paper eclipse glasses to everyone who attends the game on that day. While these plans have not been finalized, you can do your part if you’re a Dallas native by writing to the Rangers organization and letting them know you think it’s a good idea to have an Opening Day eclipse gathering.

The ballpark is certainly not the only spot in Dallas where you can throw a massive public eclipse party. Klyde Warren Park, located in downtown Dallas, is no stranger to hosting special events year-round, while Lakeside Park and its Teddy Bear statues make it a great destination for kids to experience the eclipse, learn a thing or two, and have a blast!

 

Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland is a city on the rise, and with its position right along the center line during the 2024 eclipse, it has a great opportunity to make the most of its comeback. The Cleveland Indians are also set to play their 2024 season home opener around April 8. The fact that two Major League Baseball teams happen to be within the path of totality may actually convince the head honchos at the MLB Commissioners’ Office to approve hosting an eclipse experience at their respective ballparks.

In addition to Progressive Field, there are plenty of places where Cleveland could host a-rockin’ good time… like the pavilion surrounding the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame on the lakefront! Edgewater Park and Wendy Park are also fantastic options to catch a spring breeze off of the lake while experiencing every aspect of the total solar eclipse.

 

Be Prepared… to Have Fun!

Wherever you choose to experience the 2024 eclipse, you won’t want to show up unprepared. If you’re hosting a large eclipse party, you’ll want to stock up early on paper eclipse glasses. Affordable eclipse eyewear options can be ordered in bulk for large groups and come in different colors.

If you’re stocking up for yourself, consider investing in something a little more durable that better suits your specific needs, such as our plastic eclipse shades, wrap-around eclipse goggles, or clip-on eclipse glasses.

If you have any questions about our products or need information about how to observe an eclipse safely, don’t hesitate to reach out atrainbowsymphony@rainbowsymphony.com.

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