Great North American Solar Eclipse in New Hampshire Draws Anticipation and Visitors
In just five weeks, a rare celestial event will captivate the residents of New Hampshire’s Great North Woods. The Great North American Solar Eclipse, set to occur on Monday, April 8, will cast a shadow across the country, starting from central Texas, sweeping through the Midwest, and finally reaching northern New England. The eclipse is expected to bring a wave of visitors to the Granite State, all eager to witness this extraordinary phenomenon firsthand.
The New Hampshire Travel and Tourism Director, Lori Harnois, anticipates a significant influx of people, which has the potential to boost the state’s tourism industry during a typically slower shoulder season. However, Harnois advises both residents and visitors to plan ahead, especially if traveling on the day of the eclipse, as there are limited routes in and out of the path of totality.
To facilitate coordination and information-sharing, the state has launched a Joint Information Center and a dedicated website called NHSolarEclipse.com. This website provides valuable planning tips, resources for roadways, lodging options, and details about special events happening throughout the state.
While all of New Hampshire will experience a partial eclipse, those seeking a full eclipse will need to travel as far north as Lancaster. The website’s events page offers a couple of suggestions for experiencing the path of totality. Coleman State Park in Stewartstown will be open for viewing and will host a “Total Eclipse of The Parks” event, complete with kids’ activities and food and refreshments available for purchase. Due to limited parking, reservations are required for entry. The Great North Woods Center for the Arts in Columbia will also host a special eclipse concert featuring Cynthia MacLeod and Gordon Belsher from Prince Edward Island. Attendees are encouraged to stay for the 7 p.m. concert as a way to avoid the crowds.
For those content with a near-total eclipse, there are numerous events taking place farther south. Tuckerman Brewing Company in Conway will hold a family-friendly event with door prizes for the first 100 people, accompanied by music to “ring in the darkness.” Cannon Mountain in Franconia is advertising a ticketed slopeside “apocalyptic beach party” featuring Dub Apocalypse, an instrumental dub reggae band from Boston. Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough will host a free public event with solar telescopes and an astronomer, and pre-registration is encouraged. The Mt. Washington Observatory has also planned a series of events from April 4 to April 8 to celebrate the eclipse. Additionally, the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, a space and aviation museum, will host a viewing party from noon to 5 p.m.
These events are just a glimpse of what is listed on the state’s website, and the list will continue to be updated. Those interested in having their events added can submit information to the Joint Information Center via jic@dos.nh.gov.
Dave Epstein, a Globe correspondent, emphasizes the significance of this event, stating that approximately 40 million Americans will be in the path of the eclipse, with about a third of them residing in just ten cities. Epstein also explains the difference between a total eclipse and an annular eclipse, further heightening the anticipation surrounding this rare occurrence.
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The Great North American Solar Eclipse is an extraordinary event that promises to captivate both residents and visitors of New Hampshire’s Great North Woods. With a range of events and viewing locations available, there is no shortage of opportunities to witness this celestial spectacle. So mark your calendars for April 8 and prepare to be amazed as the moon temporarily obscures the mid-afternoon sun, casting a shadow across the state and leaving spectators in awe of the wonders of the universe.