Gananoque ready for solar eclipse
The Town of Gananoque is ready for the solar eclipse.
“There is a lot happening in our town leading up to the total solar eclipse on April 8,” said Lynsey Zufelt, Gananoque’s administrative assistant. “The Downtown Gananoque BIA along with the town, have been hard at work co-ordinating events to celebrate the eclipse.”
This weekend, the Downtown Gananoque BIA businesses are ready to invite visitors to the town, with specials, activities and live music.
On Saturday, there will be a free movie showing at 2:30 p.m. at the Royal Theatre Thousand Islands, hosted by the Downtown Gananoque BIA. The movie being played is a perfect one for this special event – E.T – The Extra-Terrestrial. And, there will be free popcorn.
Gananoque Arts Network is hosting “Spring Fling” on Saturday at Mavericks Restaurant at 7:30 p.m. The “Spring Fling” will include a live auction, live music, dancing and prizes.
And town staff expect local restaurants with patios to be ready for visitors, too.
On the day of the eclipse, which is Monday, the town is hosting a viewing party at Joel Stone Park along the St. Lawrence River waterfront.
There will be activities at the 1000 Islands History Museum all day; the Boat Shop Café will be open from noon to 4 p.m., handing out free certified eclipse glasses while supplies last.
People planning to attend Gananoque’s solar eclipse experience are asked to bring a picnic blanket and to dress warmly, as when the sun is eclipsed, the temperature is expected to drop by a few degrees.
People may see stars. So, be safe, they should make sure they have a pair of eclipse glasses.
According to Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands chief administrative officer Steve Donachey, the township has nothing planned for Monday’s solar eclipse, nor is it part of Gananoque’s event.
(Keith Dempsey is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Brockville Recorder and Times. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.)
Keith Dempsey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Brockville Recorder and Times
