Sunday, August 27, was Eclipse Day at the Red Wings game at Innovative Field. The first 2,500 people through the gate received a free pair of eclipse glasses courtesy of the RMSC.
The event was sponsored by the RMSC and the Rochester Eclipse Task Force to raise awareness of Rochester’s position in the path of totality during the upcoming Great North American Solar Eclipse. At 2:07 p.m. on Monday, April 8, 2024, the moon will begin to eclipse the sun. Totality – the portion of the eclipse when the sun is completely covered by the moon – will start at 3:20 p.m.; in Rochester, darkness will last for three minutes and 38 seconds.
“We’re extremely lucky to be here in Rochester situated in just the right place, at precisely the right time to be caught in the path of totality. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience a naturally occurring celestial event in our very own backyard.” said Dan Schneiderman, Eclipse Partnership Coordinator of the RMSC. “We’re determined to make sure that the Greater Rochester Region is more than prepared to observe the eclipse safely through eclipse glasses, pin hole viewers, and other viewing methods.”
“The eclipse will be a profound personal experience for everyone in our area,” said Debra Ross, the task force’s chair. “And because the path of totality does not touch the East Coast of the U.S., we are expecting between 375,000 and 500,000 people to visit Rochester during the weekend of April 5 through 8, 2023.”
The Rochester Eclipse Task Force has over 700 local members who have been working together for years to help the area make the most of its position in the path of totality. The group has been helping community members not only to plan events for Eclipse Weekend itself, but to raise awareness in the months leading up to the eclipse.
During the Red Wing game on August 27, fans age 21 and older were able to sample Totality, a beer being brewed by Rohrbach’s Brewing Company to celebrate the upcoming eclipse. This was the only time the beer will be available before next year.
At the end of the game, fans assembled in the outfield behind the RMSC’s 10-foot inflatable Sun for a historic photo and video opportunity in their eclipse glasses.
“The timing of Eclipse Day at the Red Wings couldn’t be more perfect. During the last few days of August, at 3:20 p.m. the sun will be approximately in the same position as the day of the 2024 Eclipse. It’s the perfect opportunity to scout viewing locations and celebrate the countdown until totality,” said Schneiderman.
For more information about the upcoming eclipse and community preparations, visit http://rochestereclipse2024.org.
Provided information
