The Toronto Post A Consolidated News Source
The celestial spectacle of a total solar eclipse is just days away, and Niagara Falls is gearing up for a massive influx of visitors. City officials anticipate upwards of 1 million people descending upon the scenic wonder to witness this rare event on Monday, April 8th.
Excitement is already palpable, with some visitors arriving early. Eric Vio, reporting for CHCH News, spoke to tourists who have travelled from far and wide. A couple from Blackfalds, Alberta, shared that this will be their second solar eclipse experience, while another visitor from Virginia, originally planning a Niagara Falls trip for her 30th birthday, decided to move it up a year to coincide with the eclipse.
The awe-inspiring nature of a total solar eclipse is a major draw. One interviewee, who witnessed a previous eclipse, described it as “life-changing.” He elaborated,
“You can understand why people used to get freaked out by that before we understood space. Just the chill that you get when everything starts to get dark, it gets quiet, and you just see that change in the whole atmosphere, it’s just really chilling, you know. There’s something about it that makes you feel very human, I guess.”
Safety is paramount during a solar eclipse, as looking directly at the sun can damage your eyes. Businesses are stocking up on special eclipse glasses, which resemble those used for 3D movies but are specifically designed to filter out harmful solar rays. Perad Goyal, owner of FS View Market for 12 years, is preparing for the crowds. He recalls the large number of visitors (around 50,000) who flocked to Niagara Falls in 2012 for Nik Wallenda’s high-wire walk across the falls.
“It’ll be jammed here,” Goyal predicts.
“I told my manager to make sure we have an extra person working that day.”
The city is also ramping up preparations. Portable toilets and a stage for live music are being set up in anticipation of the event. The Niagara region will experience the eclipse from 2:04 pm to 4:23 pm. The total eclipse, where the moon completely covers the sun, will occur at 3:18 pm and last for an awe-inspiring 3 minutes and 32 seconds.
With the countdown on, Niagara Falls is poised to be the center stage for a celestial event that promises to leave a lasting impression on visitors and locals alike.
