In case you haven’t heard, a total eclipse will traverse the United States from Texas to Maine on April 8th and Mentor is in the path of totality.
Areas in the path of the eclipse are expected to draw large amounts of visitors and Lake County is no exception. Hotels and restaurants are looking forward to serving the needs of visitors and safety forces throughout Lake County are already working on managing the influx of traffic in our area.
A number of public events are being hosted across northeast Ohio including right here in Mentor.
Eclipse Watch Party
An Eclipse Watch Party will be held from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Mentor Civic Amphitheater. Guests can enjoy a number of fun games and activities and track the progress of the eclipse on the videoscreens.
Dr. Marie Henderson, a Planetary Scientist from NASA, and Tim Henderson, Research Associate/Geologist with the National Park Service’s Geologic Resources Inventory will be in attendance to present the science behind this unique event and and answer your questions along with our friends from the James A. Garfield National Historic Site.
News 5 Meteorologists Mark Johnson and Katie McGraw will be broadcasting live updates from the main stage.
Create your own custom commemorative t-shirt with AWT. A DJ will also be on-hand spinning your favorite tunes as we count down to the big moment at 3:14 PM when we’ll experience 3 minutes and 48 seconds of totality.
Food and beverages from some of the area’s favorite food trucks will be available for purchase.
- Barra De Taco
- Just Wing’n It
- Cle Cotton Candy
- Cookies To Go
- East Coast Custard
Admission and parking to the event is free. A limited number of eclipse glasses will also be available free of charge.
The Mentor Civic Amphitheater is located at 8600 Munson Road.
Watch Safely
It’s important to remember that during a total solar eclipse, it is safe to view the sun with the naked eye only during the brief period of totality when the moon completely covers the sun.
Please be mindful of the following tips to ensure your safety.
- Use proper eye protection. Always use ISO-certified eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for direct solar viewing.
- Avoid DIY filters. Do not use homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even if they are very dark, as they will not protect your eyes from the sun’s intense light.
- Be cautious with telescopes and binoculars. If you are using a telescope or binoculars to view the eclipse, ensure that they are fitted with solar filters. The concentrated sunlight can cause serious damage to your eyes if viewed directly without proper protection.
- Supervise children. Children should be closely supervised when using eclipse glasses or solar viewers to ensure that they are using them correctly and not looking at the sun without proper protection.
We are all hopeful that the weather cooperates for us since the next eclipse over northeast Ohio won’t occur until 2444.
The Laketran Park & Ride Lot located at 8650 Market Street will be open to travelers wishing to view the eclipse. Portable toilet facilities will be available onsite.
Your safety matters! The Ohio State Highway Patrol, Mentor Police, and other safety forces advise against parking along the highway. Instead, find a place to park with a clear view of the sky where you can watch the eclipse in safety.
Heavy traffic can be expected throughout Northeast Ohio immediately following the eclipse. Why sit in traffic when you can sit in front of a delicious meal from one of over 175 restaurants here in Mentor? Whatever your taste, you’ll find it here. Download a copy of our newly updated Mentor Visitor Guide which contains information on restaurants, shopping, events, activities and more.
We hope you enjoy your stay and ask that you please be courteous and patient while leaving Mentor.
Traffic notices and emergency messages will be shared on Mentor’s social media accounts. Follow the City of Mentor on facebook and twitter. Should cellular service become overwhelmed in our area, emergency messages will be broadcast on 1620 AM.
Download a copy of our newly updated Mentor Visitor Guide which contains information on restaurants, shopping, events, activities and more.
Other Attractions
Mentor is centrally located in Lake County and a wide array of other local attractions are mere minutes away. From the vineyаrds аnd the wineries of the Grаnd River Vаlley to the world-clаss fishing аnd beаches of Lаke Erie, Lаke County, Ohio is truly remаrkаble! Check out nearby Lake Metroparks Farmpark, Historic Kirtland, Holden Arboretum, Lake County Captains, and all of the REMARKABLE things that Lake County has to offer.
Learn more at www.tourlakecounty.com.
Visit OHGO.com to download their app for real-time traffic information, live cameras, message boards and more from the Ohio Department of Transportation!