A Message from Monroe County Executive Adam J. Bello:

Monroe County will have a front-row seat to the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse—a once-in-a-lifetime experience where there’s not a bad seat in the house. Western NY and the Finger Lakes region are expecting 300,000 to 500,000 visitors, with about 150,000 of those in Monroe County alone. While we can expect traffic delays and the minor inconveniences that come with hosting any major event, with some preparation and planning, we can all enjoy this extraordinary cosmic occurrence. We urge all residents to:

Be Aware: Mark your calendars for April 8, 2024. The visible eclipse will occur from 2:07 p.m. to 4:33 p.m., and the “totality” or darkness duration from 3:20 p.m.to 3:24 p.m.

Be Prepared: Special glasses are required to view the eclipse safely. Give yourself plenty of time to travel to and from any eclipse special event.

Be there: There are dozens of special events and places to experience the eclipse, including our beautiful county parks.

Pick a park—then park it! If you are looking for a family friendly place to view the eclipse and spend the afternoon, I invite you to explore one of our 21 beautiful county parks. Avoid the rush and enjoy a fun family outing. Click on your favorite park below to see what activities and amenities are available before and after the eclipse.

Below you will find everything you need to know to Be Aware—Be Prepared—Be There and have a safe and enjoyable eclipse viewing experience.

Be Aware
A total Solar Eclipse will happen on Monday, April 8, 2024
A total solar eclipse is when the moon completely blocks out the sun, causing darkness during the day.
Eclipse Timing: 2:07 p.m. - 4:33 p.m.
Totality / Darkness Timing: 3:20 p.m. – 3:24 p.m. (3 minutes and 38 seconds)
What will happen during totality:
Deep dusk in the sky
The temperature may fall by as much as 10 degrees
Animals and plants may behave as if it’s nighttime
It will feel eerily still with a sense of wonder and awe
It will still get dark even if it’s a cloudy day
This is an historic event that can only be seen from a few places on Earth and Rochester is one of them this year! The next total solar eclipse for Rochester won’t occur for another 120 years, on October 26, 2144.
300,000 to 500,000 thousand visitors are expected to come to our region with about 150,00 of those in Monroe County. Many will arrive on Saturday, April 6 and stay through Tuesday.

Be Prepared
Protect Your Eyes:
Always use ISO-Certified 12312-2:2015 eclipse glasses when looking directly into the Sun during the duration of the eclipse
Sunglasses don’t provide enough protection and you could damage your eyes
The general recommendation is to have 2 pairs of eclipse glasses per family. It’s OK to share eclipse glasses if you won’t be looking at the Sun the entire time
Find out where official eclipse glasses are sold:
Where To Buy Glasses Glasses FAQ

Plan for Traffic:
Allow extra time when driving to work, events and appointments
Traffic is expected to be the heaviest right after totality ends
Some streets or bridges may be closed for pedestrian viewing
Consider using 511NY Apps (Apple and Android) to view current travel conditions
If you plan to be driving during eclipse please remember to:
Avoid stopping on roadways to view the eclipse
Use headlights when driving
Fill your gas tank ahead of the eclipse
Have water, medications, food and appropriate clothing (boots, hats, blankets) in your vehicle
Medical Preparations:
Refill prescriptions in advance
Avoid scheduling non-emergent medical appointments on the afternoon
If you have a medical condition that may require immediate access to medical assistance, consider staying closer to hospitals or urgent care facilities

Not a Typical Day:
Most Schools will be closed
Some business will be closed, work remotely or flex their hours
Try to not schedule routine deliveries or appointments for this day
Restaurants and stores may be crowded with visitors
Cell service could be slow

Be There
Pick a park—then park it!
Avoid the rush and enjoy a fun family picnic. Explore one of our 21 beautiful county parks to view the eclipse and spend the afternoon.
Pick a Park
Attend a local event!
Some events run from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Plan to stay for the duration of the event
Bring what you will need for the day

Additional Information:
www.monroecounty.gov