Impact of eclipse on area tourism expected to be significant

The total solar eclipse predicted for Monday, April 8 has created plenty of buzz in and around the Leamington-Kingsville-Wheatley area and local municipal staff are busy preparing for what may — or may not — happen.

There may be an influx of people and traffic in the area as travellers from outside the path of totality flock to the Lake Erie shoreline to get a protected glimpse of the once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon.

The path of totality is the area where people on Earth can see the moon completely cover the sun as the moon’s shadow falls upon them. Space.com describes it as “the cone-shaped inner (umbral) shadow of the moon projected onto the Earth’s surface.”

Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald says that staff are preparing to open the public washrooms along Leamington’s shoreline a couple of weeks earlier than normal.

“We don’t know what to expect, but we will make sure the washrooms are open for people wanting to view the eclipse from the waterfront,” she said. “We are encouraging locals to watch from their backyards.”

MacDonald says it’s not an easy thing to plan, since the path of totality covers not only this part of Ontario, but all the way through the Niagara region as well.

However, only the most southern portions of Essex County — including Pelee Island — are in the path of totality.

That means that Leamington, Kingsville, Wheatley and Pelee Island will experience near-total darkness for a number of minutes starting at 3:13 pm on Monday. Partial darkness will occur before and after the totality.

In Kingsville, Deputy Mayor Kimberly DeYong says they have big plans with an Eclipse Watch Party at the Grovedale Arts and Culture Centre.

“I’m excited to be part of this,” she said. “My children will be volunteering as well and we are expecting a great turnout. Mettawas Park will be a great location to view the eclipse.”

Visit Kingsville.ca for more specific details on their plans for Eclipse Day 2024.

Both the Greater Essex County District School Board and the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board have announced that all students will be dismissed from school at 1 pm and that buses will not be provided for the ride home that day. The Lambton-Kent District School Board, which governs Wheatley Area Public School, has declared Monday, April 8 a P.A. Day.

As for the local hospitality industry, restaurants and bars have made arrangements for eclipse viewing parties and many are expecting a lot of extra traffic coming through their doors.

Paul Medeiros, of Dream BnB hospitality Inc., says that the eclipse has definitely made a difference in his business for that day.

“We are at 98 percent occupancy for that time-frame,” he says. “I’d say yes, it is bringing more people to the area to see the eclipse.”

Over on Pelee Island, Mayor Cathy Miller is expecting over 400 additional visitors that day. As she pointed out, the MTO controls how many people reach the island. The Pelee Island Ferry Service has added an additional sailing on April 8, including one that will be arriving at Pelee Island’s West Dock very close to the period of totality.

“Pelee Island is the first place in Canada to experience the total solar eclipse,” says Miller. “It is a wonderful way to start our 2024 season. I am looking forward to the images captured from our unique destination.”

And of course, cooperation from Mother Nature is also required. A cloudy day will put a damper on things, but so far, the forecast calls for a mix of sun and clouds and high of 9 degrees Celcius.