Release Date: January 12,2024
Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau Prepares for Total Solar Eclipse in Summit County
AKRON, OH (Jan. 12, 2024) – A once-in-a-lifetime event is quickly approaching as we enter 2024. A total solar eclipse will be passing through parts of Ohio on April 8, and Summit County is within the path of totality. The Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau (ASCVB) is hosting a series of interactive events and collaborating with area partners to celebrate the monumental occasion.
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, completely blocking it. The last time this phenomenon happened in Ohio was over 200 years ago, in 1806, and the next will not take place in Ohio until 2099.
“The total solar eclipse could as much as double Summit County’s population for the day,” said Gregg Mervis, president & CEO of the ASCVB. “We are excited to welcome eclipse enthusiasts to our area and are working closely with Summit County Emergency Management to ensure safety. This is an opportunity for us to showcase what we have to offer – hotels, attractions, restaurants, shops and more.”
On April 8 in Ohio, the total solar eclipse begins at 3:08 p.m. with the final exit of the Moon’s shadow at 3:19 p.m. Specifically in Summit County, totality will be nearly three minutes long. The sky will darken, and depending on the weather, those along the path of totality will see the Sun’s corona. The area will experience a partial eclipse before and after the moment of totality occurs.
The ASCVB is putting on a series of free, digital events leading up to this special day to create awareness and interest. Everyone is invited to participate.
Trivia Tuesdays: Beginning Jan. 16, trivia questions will be posted weekly on our social media pages leading up to the big day. Share your answer for a chance to win a gift card! The final answer for each question will be posted on the ASCVB website.
Scavenger Hunt: We’ve partnered together with some of our local attractions to hold a scavenger hunt. One Saturday per month, we will post a photo with hints of where the prize can be found. The first person to visit the attraction and find the prize is the winner! The schedule for the scavenger hunt is as follows:
- Jan. 20 at the Akron Zoo
- Feb. 17 at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market: Winter Market. Old Trail School: 2315 Ira Rd., Bath, OH 44333
- March 9 at MAPS Air Museum
- April 5 at Canal Park, for the Akron RubberDucks opening day
Tell us ‘Where You're Eclipsin': Take some photos of your eclipse experience (don’t forget to wear your eclipse glasses!) and post them on your social media platforms. Be sure to tag the ASCVB, @AkronSummitCVB, and be automatically entered into a random drawing to win a grand prize!
Go to visitakron-summit.org/solar-eclipse/ for more details on the total solar eclipse.
Nearly 32 million Americans, approximately 10% of the U.S. population, live within the path of totality. According to a visitation model put together by Great American Eclipse, Texas is expected to receive the highest number of visitors for eclipse viewing, with a range of 270,000 to 1,080,000. Indiana and Ohio are a very close second and third, with Indiana expecting 131,000 to 522,000 and Ohio expecting 125,000 to 500,000. This model is based on ArcGIS software applied on U.S. Bureau of the Census figures, along with the national road network.
About the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau:
Established in 1973 to promote Akron/Summit County as an ideal destination for business and leisure travel, the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau is the clearinghouse for area travel and tourism information.