Total solar eclipse 2024: Views from around Akron and more

Akron and much of Ohio was in the path of totality for a total solar eclipse Monday for the first time since 1806. The moon blocked the sun for about three minutes and the temperature dropped. We’ve gathered the information you need to view the historic event safely.

We will give you updates on logistics, where the crowds are and any other need to know information throughout the day.

A view from the ol’ ball park

Updated 7 p.m. | Cameron Nelson, Akron Documenter

(Editor’s note: Akron Documenter Cameron Nelson spent the afternoon at Canal Park in downtown Akron to capture the eclipse experience. Here is his account of what it was like.)

Today, the eclipse was a special event that took place right here in our beautiful city of Akron. Residents in Summit County experienced seeing the moon and the sun enter into perfect alignment for a total solar eclipse. 

People watched this event at the Akron Zoo, on the streets of Akron, in their backyards and even at baseball stadiums just like I did. I believe people experienced the eclipse in ways that were in alignment with their personalities. 

As I arrived at Canal Park stadium, home of the Akron RubberDucks baseball team, people were already filing into the stadium. I spoke with a man named Ron and asked him a few questions about today’s event. Ron said this was his second eclipse and he was “excited” and still very much still interested. 

Inside the stadium I was given permission by stadium security to take pictures and videos. I spoke to another person named Mike who was with his girlfriend at the park. He said it was a cool experience. 

I took a picture of my free glasses and my ticket to commemorate the event. I also paid for a souvenir that a woman at  the concession suggested that I buy, which gets me free refreshments at the stadium whenever I return. 

I looked up at the sun and moon periodically, until the total eclipse happened at the sound of a countdown over the stadium speakers. Lights came on in downtown Akron and it felt kind of cool to know it was afternoon, but we could see both the sun and the moon at the same time. 

Once the totality was over, the hosts of our eclipse party said over the speakers that they’ll “see us again in the year 2099.” 

Wow. That is amazing. 

I’m looking forward to standing at the same place and viewing the next eclipse with a smile on my face and joy in my heart for witnessing something that was both beautiful and special.

Scenes from Lock 16 in Cascade Valley

Updated 7 p.m. | Simone Walton, Akron Documenter

Akron Documenter Simone Walton spent the afternoon along the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Cascade Valley to capture the eclipse-watching scene there. 

The Cascade Parks Locks Association, in partnership with North Hill Mirror and Glass Co. and January Paint and Wallpaper in Akron, hosted an eclipse watch party.

They handed out free eclipse glasses and cosmic goodie bags for kids and held origami-making workshops. Music and fireworks were heard throughout the afternoon as people gathered to watch the eclipse.

The association and the Akron Municipal Court hosted two weddings ahead of the total solar eclipse as part of the court’s “Out-of-this-World Couple Contest.”  

“Toni Arce said she applied to be married today because her new husband, Ryan, and his oldest son love physics and space,” she said according to a report by Ideastream’s Anna Huntsman. The weddings were held outside of the Mustil Store Museum. 

Visitors came from places as far away as Charleston, South Carolina, and closer to home – Cleveland, Canton and North Hill. 

Dennis Yanke, of Canton, brought his daughter to Akron to get a better view of the eclipse.

The views from Middlebury

Updated 5 p.m. | Brittany Nader, Akron Documenter

Akron Documenter Brittany Nader hung out with a crowd in the parking lot of the Goodyear Branch Library on Goodyear Boulevard in Middelbury. Here are some of the scenes she captured during the solar eclipse.

D.C. visitors wanted to experience totality

Updated 4 p.m. | Reegan Davis Saunders

Ally and Joe Paddock drove from Washington, D.C., with their son, Will. 

The Paddock family saw the 2017 partial eclipse in northern Virginia. “That was pretty amazing, but after that we wanted to experience the full thing,” Joe said.

Along with them, the Paddocks brought a Vaonis Hestia Smartphone Telescope, which allowed them to see an up-close view of the eclipse. 

“I just thought it would be nice to take photos of the eclipse, and you know, it gives me a bigger picture than with the video,” Ally said.

The progression of darkness

Updated 3:43 p.m. | Brittany Moseley

By the time Ward 9 Council Member Tina Boyes arrived at the Kenmore Branch Library at 1:30 p.m., staffers had already handed out all 500 pairs of eclipse glasses.

Boyes made the rounds in her neighborhood today, also visiting Kenmore Community Center, the Rialto Theatre and Prentiss Park before ending at Chestnut Ridge Park.

“I knew it was going to get dark, but for some reason, I didn’t realize it would get progressively darker. So that initial, like, ‘I can’t tell what this is but it feels really interesting.’ [It’s] almost like a rain cloud’s approaching, and the sun’s right there. I didn’t expect that,” she said. 

The music performance by Matthew Kurtz leading to the moment of totality only added to the experience for Boyes. Kurtz, an Akron Soul Train artist in residence, staged “Drumroll for the Total Eclipse” at Chestnut Ridge Park.

“It was really cool to see that quick progression of seeing a little bit less [of the sun],” she said.” I didn’t expect it to feel that obvious, because it feels very slow. But at that point when you only see a little [of the sun], it starts to feel fast.”

‘Tears rolled down my face’: Akron experiences total solar eclipse

Updated 3:30 p.m. | Brittany Moseley

As the sky lightened at Chestnut Ridge Park and Matthew Kurtz’s performance of “Drumroll for a Solar Eclipse” ended, David Kruk and Eva Polzer of Wallhaven agreed: All solar eclipses should come with a drumroll.

“This is a once in a lifetime thing, and it turned out incredible,” said Kurtz. “It felt like the most real thing I’ve experienced in a while.” 

It was an emotional experience for Polzer.

“Tears just rolled down my face, and I didn’t really know why,” she said.

Totality at Prentiss Park

Updated 3:15 p.m. | Susan Zake

‘It was a perfect day’

Updated 3:15p.m. | Kevin Dilley

Capturing the eclipse in photos

Updated 2:55p.m. | Reegan Davis Saunders

Tom M. and Phoebe L. flew down from New York City to watch the eclipse.

The pair spent yesterday hiking in Cuyahoga Valley National Park so their trip wouldn’t be a waste if it was cloudy today. 

Tom fastened a makeshift solar filter to his camera using a pair of eclipse glasses. He joked that it is clear he is an “eclipse chaser” based on his “professional” photography equipment. (This is his first eclipse experience.)

Clouds dissipating with area expected to see full total eclipse

Updated 2:45 p.m. | Signal Akron staff

From National Weather Service out of Cleveland, “The partial eclipse has begun so let’s do a satellite check! The low clouds are dissipating moving off to the east, so everybody in our forecast area should have a great chance to see the full total eclipse. Some thin, high cirrus are expanding but won’t block the view.”

The partial eclipse has begun so let's do a satellite check! The low clouds are dissipating moving off to the east, so everybody in our forecast area should have a great chance to see the full total eclipse. Some thin, high cirrus are expanding but won't block the view pic.twitter.com/wccMar8lvv

— NWS Cleveland (@NWSCLE) April 8, 2024

Views from downtown Akron celebration

Updated 2:30 p.m. | Reegan Davis Saunders

Views from Joy Park Community Center in East Akron

Updated 2:28 p.m. | Kevin Dilley

About three dozen people, many from out of state, began gathering in the open fields of Joy Park Community Center in East Akron. 

One family from Arlington, Virginia, said they picked Akron because it wasn’t big like Cleveland and found Joy Park online. A group of engineering students from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh liked their chances of seeing an eclipse in Akron versus in Erie, Pennsylvania, another city in the path of the eclipse.

Views from Chestnut Ridge Park in Kenmore neighborhood

Updated 2:22 p.m. | Brittany Moseley

At Chestnut Ridge Park in the Kenmore neighborhood, Matthew Kurtz of Goodyear Heights and his merry group of musicians are preparing to ring in the solar eclipse with a bang—or a drumroll. 

“This project’s actually an extension of an idea I’ve been doing for a while where I was doing drumrolls for various things, whether they were mundane or whether they were kind of theatrical,” Kurtz said. “I would do a drumroll for someone coming out of an elevator and then would do it for church bells ringing. And so it was a lot of timing a drumroll as a way to be aware of something.”

Kurtz is an artist in residence at Akron Soul Train. At 3:12 p.m. Kurtz and company—Robin Guiler of Akron, Benjamin Coates of Canton, Rubin Shirley of Kent, Maureen Joyce and Joseph Bilinski of Cleveland and Mario Slagle of Columbus—will begin “Drumroll for the Total Eclipse.” Each musician will play a drumroll on a percussion instrument (snare and kettle drums, cymbals and a gong), all coming to a head as the moon covers the sun.

“It’s going to build in suspense … as a way to acknowledge the cosmos,” Kurtz said.

Views from the Akron Summit County Main Library Branch

Updated 1:51 p.m. | Kassi Filkins

Corey and Marlee Bishop, of Fort Wayne, Ind., made their way to the Akron Summit County Main Library Branch to meet friends from Cuyahoga Falls for the eclipse. 

“If it’s clear enough, we should be able to see all seven planets,” said Corey, who has a love for space. 

The couple said this is their first total eclipse, and they’re looking forward to experiencing today’s events. 

“This seemed to be the best place to catch the whole thing,” Marlee said. 

Out-of-state visitors arrive in Akron for solar eclipse

Updated 1:06 p.m. | Susan Zake

Elias Stine, 9, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, tests out a blanket as his group gets set up for the eclipse at Prentiss Park in Akron. Elias’ mom, Courtney, along with her partner, James Mikolajczyk, from Delaware City, Delaware, brought their kids. Courtney said, “Akron, Ohio, why not?” about why they ended up here.

What’s closed around Akron on Monday?

Updated 12:40 p.m. | Signal Akron staff

Many official Monday functions in Akron will be limited on April 8. You can see the full list here.

Where can I find solar eclipse glasses?

Updated 11:15 a.m. | Signal Akron staff

Three Akron library branches still have glasses available (as of 11:15 a.m.) You can see the updated list here. But as of right now, you can get glasses at the Main Library, the Norton branch and the Richfield branch.

What do I do with my glasses after the solar eclipse?

Updated 11:05 a.m. | Susan Zake

Recycle your glasses! If you don’t plan to keep your glasses as a keepsake, watch for collection containers at area venues hosting eclipse events, including Akron’s parks and community centers. The collected glasses will be shipped to other destinations around the world that will be experiencing eclipses in the months and years ahead.

Get a special treat for the eclipse

Updated 10:32 a.m. | Signal Akron staff

Krispy Kreme is offering a special total solar eclipse special that includes a chocolate-topped donut and an Oreo. Check it out here.

Can I smoke marijuana in Ohio during the eclipse?

Updated 9:32 a.m. | Signal Akron staff

Yes, at your home or on other private property where it’s allowed. Smoking is still illegal in public places such as parks. State laws prohibiting smoking or vaping in public indoor spaces apply to marijuana as well.

And of course driving while high, or smoking in a motor vehicle even as a passenger, is also illegal.

Find out more here.

What’s the updated weather forecast for the solar eclipse?

Updated 9:02 a.m. | Signal Akron staff

According to the National Weather Service out of Cleveland, “Rain and low-to-mid level clouds are moving through the region this morning. Rain will be gone by Noon with some lower clouds still lingering in far NE OH and NW PA. High cirrus clouds will move in by mid-afternoon. Temperatures across the region will be in the 60s to lower 70s.”

Rain and low-to-mid level clouds are moving through the region this morning. Rain will be gone by Noon with some lower clouds still lingering in far NE OH and NW PA. High cirrus clouds will move in by mid-afternoon. Temperatures across the region will be in the 60s to lower 70s. pic.twitter.com/IhakySZGSy

— NWS Cleveland (@NWSCLE) April 8, 2024

Will traffic be bad in Akron?

Updated 8:43 a.m. | Signal Akron staff

The Ohio Department of Transportation created a map to help drivers navigate roads on April 8, when a lot of visitors are expected to converge on Northeast Ohio for eclipse viewing. See the map and various scenarios based on the number of visitors.

You can see traffic cameras from around the city here (link to come later once post is built)

Cuyahoga Valley National Park issues guidance for eclipse visitors

Updated 7:45 a.m. | Signal Akron staff

The park officials recommend that visitors:

• Plan for a long day and visit the park website before heading out.
• Come early and stay late. Consider staying for a hike after the eclipse. 
• Download the NPS app ahead of time and save CVNP information for offline use. (Always good advice when traveling away from home in the national parks.) 
• Consider carpooling and have a full tank of gas or charge for your vehicle. 
• Park in official spaces only. Parking lots will close when they are full.
• Pack it in, pack it out. Take any trash out of the park, since the facilities may be overwhelmed.
• Be aware that emergency response could be delayed due to traffic.

Get more info here.

City of Akron opens up parks and recreation centers

Updated 6:47 a.m. | Signal Akron staff

The City of Akron announced a list of neighborhood sites that will be open for the eclipse. Some venues require pre-registration.

The city is also hosting a free party downtown in the parking lot behind Spaghetti Warehouse at 510 S. Main St. Registration is required – parking is available at city-owned lots and decks or on the street. Be sure to give yourself extra time to navigate the heavy traffic that is expected.

View a map of the sites here.

You can find more Akron area events here.

What time is the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024?

On Monday, April 8, starting at 3:13 p.m. and lasting for a total of about 2 minutes and 49 seconds, the moon will pass between the earth and the sun, blocking the face of the sun and causing the sky to darken. Here is a breakdown of eclipse stages:

Eclipse starts: 1:59 p.m. EDT  

Totality begins: 3:13 p.m. EDT  

Maximum totality: 3:15 p.m. EDT  

Totality ends: 3:17 p.m. EDT  

Eclipse ends: 4:28 p.m. EDT 

What’s the weather forecast for this afternoon?

According to the National Weather Service out of Cleveland, the area has the chance for high clouds that will filter the view but not block it.

As we hone in on the cloud cover forecast for Monday afternoon we can leverage higher-resolution guidance to get a grasp on who is most likely to clear out the lower, more opaque clouds by 3 PM Monday vs who is more likely to still be mostly cloudy. Check it out! #OHwx #PAwx pic.twitter.com/EVu6farcY3

— NWS Cleveland (@NWSCLE) April 7, 2024

Ways to view the solar eclipse safely

The solar eclipse may be a thrilling event, but people cannot look directly at the sun during the partial eclipse phase without proper eye protection. 

“You should never directly look at the sun, whether it’s an eclipse or just full sun on a sunny day,” said Summa Health Ophthalmologist Dr. Nancy Awender. “The reason being is that it can cause permanent damage to the photoreceptors of the eye, and that can result in permanent central vision defects called scotomas, which are blind spots in or near one’s central vision.”

Eclipse viewers who develop spots in their vision or other changes should see an ophthalmologist, Awender said.

Most sunglasses and welding masks are not dark enough to protect your eyes.

NASA’s website includes instructions on the safest ways to view a total eclipse, including how to use certified safe solar eclipse glasses.

NASA recommends checking for a label that says the glasses comply with the ISO 12312-2 standard. Filters that are up to this standard reduce sunlight to safe levels for eclipse viewing.

When is the next total solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse that will be visible in Ohio won’t be until 2099.

(Editor’s note: This story was update to reflect the correct names in the section “Scenes from Lock 16 in Cascade Valley)