Niagara Parks is planning a multi-day event schedule featuring interactive talks with subject matter experts from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), a mobile planetarium from Astronomy in Action, Toronto Metropolitan University’s SciXchange program and Mad Science activations, in celebration of the upcoming full solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024.
Niagara Parks joins other destination partners in preparing for the monumental celestial event that is expected to draw many guests to the area for the unique chance of experiencing a full solar eclipse taking place above one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders.
Niagara Falls (Ontario and New York), as well as Fort Erie and Buffalo, New York, are located directly in the path of totality to experience a full solar eclipse, a celestial event that has not been visible from Ontario since the 1970s and will not be visible again in Niagara Falls until 2144. This means that this area will experience the longest period of time where the moon will completely eclipse the sun resulting in total darkness, making the destination a prime viewing spot.
Niagara Parks and New York State Park are jointly hosting a number of NASA and CSA subject matter experts who will be participating in engaging talks and Q&A sessions at various sites across both sides of the border. Additionally, Niagara Parks will be hosting diverse, educational programming for all ages at four locations across the Niagara River corridor in the days leading up to and including Monday, April 8, 2024.
Niagara Parks Power Station + Tunnel
Dates: Friday – Monday (April 5 – 8)
At the Niagara Parks Power Station, Astronomy in Action will be bringing their mobile planetarium and educators to encourage hands-on, immersive learning about the solar system and the significance of the solar eclipse. Niagara Parks’ newest attraction will also be the host site for a number of interactive talks and Q&A sessions with NASA and CSA scientists, as well as a guest speaker that explores the solar eclipse and themes of astronomy from an Indigenous perspective. While attendance is free, guests are required to register online in advance for the NASA and CSA talks (registration will be available on Niagara Parks’ website shortly).
Table Rock Centre
Dates: Saturday – Monday (April 6 – 8)
Located at the brink of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls, Table Rock Centre will be a one-stop shop for families throughout the weekend of April 6 – 8, hosting free Mad Science programming for kids, while also offering guests access to Niagara Parks’ top attraction Journey Behind the Falls, a variety of culinary options, great shopping, as well as one of the top viewing locations for the solar eclipse. Mad Science will be onsite at Table Rock Centre with their FunStations and Exploration Stations from Saturday through Monday, inviting kids of all ages to take part in fun and interactive workshops and activities.
Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory
Dates: Saturday – Monday (April 6 – 8)
Traveling north on the Niagara Parkway, the Butterfly Conservatory will be another key site hosting special programming and activities for guests over the weekend. Niagara Parks is partnering with Toronto Metropolitan University to bring their award-winning SciXchange program to the Butterfly Conservatory, providing hands-on activities related to STEM learning. On Monday, April 8, an astronomer from Toronto Metropolitan University will be onsite at the attraction engaging with guests to learn more about the significance of the solar eclipse.
Old Fort Erie
Dates: Friday – Monday (April 5 – 8)
In the south, Niagara Parks’ Old Fort Erie will be open and accessible to guests on the day of the eclipse, as well as a host site for engaging talks and Q&A sessions with NASA and CSA scientists. While attendance is free, guests are required to register online in advance for the NASA and CSA talks (registration will be available on Niagara Parks’ website shortly).
All programming related to the solar eclipse is free for guests to attend. Guests are required to register online in advance for the sessions with NASA & CSA scientists as space is limited. Registration will be available on Niagara Parks’ website as the schedule for guest speakers is confirmed. The Astronomy in Action programming at the Niagara Parks Power Station is planned to take place outdoors in the Sandie Bellows Plaza; however, should weather be an issue, the programming will be moved indoors and included with admission.
More information on Niagara Parks’ programming for the solar eclipse can be found at niagaraparks.com/eclipse.
