by Margay Blackman, Mayor,
Village of Brockport
Excitement is building for the eclipse on April 8 that puts Brockport on the centerline of the path of totality. The village has been preparing for months as members of our Clerk team, the Brockport Police Department (BPD), SUNY Brockport, Strong West, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and many others have attended meetings at the local and county levels regarding traffic control, emergency response, resident and visitor safety. The Brockport Fire District will have response teams located at each fire house, and Brockport Volunteer Ambulance and Monroe Ambulance will have ambulances staged strategically in and around the community.
This is a unique opportunity to showcase our fantastic village – we welcome travelers and eclipse chasers for this once-in-a-lifetime Brockport experience.
According to the Rochester Museum and Science Center, the eclipse begins as the moon starts to cover the sun at 2:07 p.m. Totality in Brockport begins at 3:20 p.m. and endures for 3 minutes and 44 seconds.
Estimates regarding traffic and attendance have been based on the experience of municipalities that were in the path of totality for the 2017 eclipse. Brockport is expecting 10 to 15 thousand visitors, with estimates from the Genesee Transportation Council of upwards of 500,000 visitors in the Greater Rochester area. The BPD will be monitoring local traffic and assuring access to and routes for first responders.
Residents are advised to anticipate gridlock on the roads and to stock up on groceries and gas prior to April 8. Reschedule any appointments on the 8th and plan to walk or bike to where you intend to view the eclipse. As traffic is expected to be heavy to gridlock in the hours following the eclipse, we invite you to visit our walkable Main Street for shopping and dining.
Village residents can obtain eclipse glasses at Village Hall and also at Seymour Library. Safe viewing is critical; please use proper eye protection! Students enrolled in the Brockport Central School District will receive glasses prior to their spring break.
Village Hall will be open on April 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. A “selfie station” featuring a large size Brockport Eclipse poster will be set up on the front porch of Village Hall at 127 Main Street. We invite eclipse goers to take photos on our porch. Parking is available in the village as signed. Our parks are open for viewing the eclipse. Downtown businesses will be open and welcome the additional foot traffic.
Bathrooms will be available throughout the village, with port-a-johns located on Main Street and in most village parks. (Locations to be listed on the eclipse page of our website.)
Staying Connected
In anticipation of the dramatic increase in visitors, Verizon is bringing in an extra cell tower to the greater area to assist with cell service.
For more Village of Brockport specific information, download the free “My Brockport Village” app and sign up for Eclipse related updates and check out the Village of Brockport Facebook page. Our website has information directly related to the eclipse at https://brockportny.org/total-solar-eclipse-2024/
SUNY Brockport will have food trucks and entertainment all day and following the eclipse on its campus. All are open to the public. If you are local, walk to campus. Out of town? Event passes with parking included are available on at https://www2.brockport.edu/eclipse/.
The Seymour Library will be open with Eclipse Programs on April 8. Refer to its website, https://seymourlibraryweb.org/, for more information or follow their Facebook page. We encourage you to walk to the library, some parking available for advanced reservation.
