Five Simple Things Residents Can Do to Help Prepare
With one month left to go before the Total Solar Eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024, VisitErie unveiled its S.H.I.N.E. campaign, asking residents to do five simple things to ensure the community is at its best. The eclipse is poised to significantly impact the region, with estimates anticipating 56,000 to 200,000 visitors making their way to Pennsylvania, the majority of whom will head north to Erie. If Erie sees even the low number of projected visitors, it will become the third-largest city in the Commonwealth for that day, almost doubling in population, and will be Erie County’s largest tourism-related event in recent memory.
The S.H.I.N.E. campaign contains messages echoed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Pennsylvania State Police encouraging residents to do their part to ensure a safe and memorable eclipse for everyone. VisitErie President and CEO John Oliver commented, “With the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse set to make Erie a focal point, we’re excited to launch the S.H.I.N.E. campaign. It’s time to rally our residents, showcase our community’s best, and create an unforgettable experience for the influx of visitors set to visit our shores. We want them to be eager to return.”
S – Schedule your appointments for another day. Do you have standing appointments? Do you have activities that day? Look at your calendar now and consider rescheduling or even going virtual, if possible, with your planned commitments. Normal routines will be disrupted by heavy traffic. If you must go out, allow for extra time.
H – Have a plan. Get gas and groceries in advance. Those potential 200,000 visitors are going to need to fill up before heading home, especially considering projected standstill traffic. Think about weekly routines and try to complete those tasks like getting gas, going to the grocery store, or picking up prescriptions ahead of time to avoid crowds.
I – Inform yourself and others. Know what’s going on. Whether it’s an eclipse event or one of Erie’s attractions or restaurants, educate yourself on everything visitors can see, do, and experience. Let’s be proud Erie advocates, show all of these visitors (many of them first-timers!) a great time, and encourage another visit.
N – Navigate traffic – or don’t. Stay off major roadways. In 2017, some areas in the path of totality saw traffic delays lasting 12 hours. Imagine being stuck in Peach Street traffic all day long. Leave the highways to the visitors and consider witnessing the total solar eclipse from your own backyard. The sun will be high enough and above the tree line that virtually anywhere is a good spot.
E – Enjoy the Moment. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event and Erie is lucky to be a part of it. This is a truly once-in-a-lifetime moment that we all want to enjoy. Let’s create an atmosphere of kindness and positivity amongst neighbors and visitors alike! Smile, extend acts of thoughtfulness, keep our region clean, and offer assistance whenever possible.
