Total Eclipse of the Guards!
Best Spots To View the Total Eclipse Coming This Spring.
From the Guardians home opener to Avon Lake in the dead center of totality, April 8th, 2024 will be an afternoon to remember for Northeast Ohio residents. In Vinh Lai’s earlier Edsman article, he mentioned that a total solar eclipse is forecasted to strike the Cleveland area, an event that has not happened since the year 1806. The eclipse will begin at 1:59 p.m. EST on Monday, April 8th, and will conclude at 4:29 p.m. EST. The totality will be visible from 3:13-3:17 in Cleveland (times may differ slightly from the east side to the west side). No matter where you are in Northeast Ohio, it is important to catch this event that won’t occur again until September of 2444. So where should you watch it?
Voinovich Park
Voinovich Bicentennial Park is one of the most picturesque places to view the Cleveland skyline and will be a unique place to view the eclipse. Sat on the shores of Lake Erie and across from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, phenomenal architecture and landscape will add extra scenery to your eclipse experience. Voinovich Park’s proximity to downtown will leave viewers with numerous options for amusement and dining following the eclipse.
Progressive Field
The Guardian’s home opener will begin with darkness. Progressive Field’s gates will open at 2:00 pm on Monday, April 8th, which is over three hours before the first pitch time of 5:10 pm EST. This will allow time for attendees to pack the ballpark to watch this once-in-a-lifetime experience in unison with tens of thousands of other people. Plan accordingly if you choose to visit Progressive Field, or anywhere downtown for the eclipse, as it is expected to be a madhouse traffic-wise. Despite the traffic, Progressive Field will arguably be the “coolest spot” to view the eclipse from.
Huntington Beach
The westside suburbs’ favorite beach; Huntington Beach in Bay Village, OH is a perfect spot to view the eclipse this April. It will be packed, but likely less than downtown Cleveland. The beach boasts a 100-acre property, creating many open spaces along the shoreline to view this spectacular event. Other nearby parks such as Cahoon Memorial Park, and areas next to the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center contain large open fields where the eclipse can be viewed as well.
Avon Lake Veterans Memorial Park
Avon Lake is directly in the center of the path of totality. Although its shoreline does not have much open space at all, Veterans Memorial Park is a quaint space to view the spectacle. It will be packed, so make sure to get there early enough so you can get a nearby parking spot and a space to view the eclipse.
Edgewater Park
The most famous beach in Cleveland is sure to be a madhouse on April 8th, but for good reason. There’s just something special about viewing the eclipse in front of the Cleveland sign, with a view of downtown just a few miles to the east. Edgewater Park is perhaps one of the most aesthetically pleasing places to view the eclipse.
Your House
There is little argument that the best place to view the eclipse is from the beautiful shores of lake erie, however there are several benefits to watching the eclipse from your front porch. You get to avoid traffic and the fear of not reaching your destination in time to view the totality. Staying home also means that you share a special moment with your family, friends, and the ones you love from the quiet of your house. No matter what option you choose, make sure that you plan ahead of time. If you do so, you are sure to have an experience that you will never forget… that is if Cleveland’s spring weather is allowing.
