City leaders and RMSC hold conference to prepare for 2024 eclipse
[anvplayer video=”5171370″ station=”998131″]
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The total solar eclipse will black out the sky in Rochester next year.
City officials and leaders from the Rochester Museum and Science Center held a press conference on Tuesday to lay out their plans for the once-in-a-generation experience.
The city is planning a four-day festival event leading up to the eclipse on Monday, April 8 in 2024. The area will experience 3 minutes and 38 seconds of darkness.
“Every single person in this region will have this experience of a wonder to see a total solar eclipse,” says Hillary Olsen with RMSC. “Everyone not in this region is going to want to come here, because Rochester is doing the eclipse right.”
Monroe County is already getting ready for “Roc 2024 Total Solar Eclipse”. There will be total darkness for almost four minutes.
“On April 8 2024 that shadow of the moon will go over Rochester, New York, western New York, and every single one of us will see it,” says Olsen.
City, county, and state leaders excited about the number of visitors expected to travel here to see the eclipse. Some estimates reaching 350,000 visitors.
“We will undoubtedly be the destination for the 2024 eclipse, and it’s the hard work of the team here at RMSC and the many local partners,” says Congressman Joe Morelle. “We will be eagerly awaiting our guests to come for two or three night minimum to get ready to observe a total solar eclipse.”
Visit Rochester’s Don Jeffries says Roc 2024 total solar eclipse will be an important boost for the local economy, and the region will offer many things for visitors to do.
“We don’t want them to leave. the strong is opening their new museum, they’re opening their new space that they have. We’re going to promote that. We’re doing a marketing campaign not just about the eclipse, but what to do in Monroe County, and Rochester after the eclipse,” says Jeffries.
“We will be asking the questions: Where were you during the total solar eclipse? What did you experience when it got dark? That is our goal. We want everyone in the region to be prepared. We want everyone in the region to be excited,” says Olsen.
The next total solar eclipse to pass through Rochester is scheduled in happen in 2144. Roc 2024 Total Solar Eclipse will the the subject of a new documentary that’s tentatively titled “Totality.”