Kingsville Eclipse Watch Party

Kingsville - The best place to view the Eclipse in Essex County! 

On Monday, April 8, 2024, the Town of Kingsville will experience a total solar eclipse, where the Moon will completely block out the Sun’s light, resulting in a shadow on the Earth. 

Kingsville will be on the "path of totality," which refers to the narrow track on the Earth's surface where the Moon completely covers the Sun, resulting in sudden and complete darkness, the appearance of the Sun's outer atmosphere (corona), and the visibility of stars and planets in the daytime sky.  This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

Let's watch it together! 

Join us at the Grovedale Arts and Culture Centre and Mettawas Park, 103 Park Street from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm for the Kingsville Eclipse Watch Party.

• Solar Eclipse Glasses handed out (while supplies last)
• 2nd Kingsville Scouts will have refreshments for sale
• Enjoy the music of the The Dan Woods Trio, provided by the Kingsville Music Society
• Create bird feeders with the Kingsville Horticultural Society
• Children Crafts 
• Solar Eclipse Colouring 
• Children Reading circles at 1:15 pm, 1:45 pm, 2:15 pm, 2:30 pm, 2:45 pm and 3:30 pm 
• Eclipse Photo Booth 
• Watch the Eclipse Countdown 
• Watch artists paint and browse their work for sale

CALLING ALL PAINTERS: Paint live indoors or en plein air and share your talent with others. You are welcome to sell your paintings if they are Kingsville scenes showing approximately 25% of the sky. Register now to be a live painting artist at this event. 

You'll want to find your spot to watch the Eclipse by 3:00 pm. 

Where should I park? 

• The Park Street Parking lot will have limited space for public parking.
• The Grovedale Arts and Culture Centre parking lot is designated for vendors and accessible parking.
• Alternate modes of transportation are strongly encouraged, such as walking or biking via the Greenway Trail.
• You can also find free parking at one of our many municipal parks.

Are you visiting to watch the eclipse? 

We hope you stay awhile! Find great places to sleep, eat and explore in our community on VisitKingsvilleOntario.ca. You can also check out other great Eclipse events happening across our region using Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island (TWEPI)'s Solar Eclipse Guide.  

Please plan ahead for traffic and crowded areas. Be cautious while driving and follow local traffic regulations. 

Once in a lifetime? Didn't we have an eclipse in 2017?

You are right! On Monday, August 21, 2017, Kingsville experienced an eclipse. However, it was only a partial eclipse, where only a portion of the Sun was obscured by the Moon. The April eclipse will be a more dramatic and stunning celestial event. 

Watching the Solar Eclipse

The great thing about this Total Solar Eclipse is that it's happening wherever you are in Kingsville, including your own yard! But, as you can imagine, it's crucial to prioritize safety to protect your eyes and ensure a positive viewing experience. The last time this happened, there were reports of people going blind! Finding a place to watch with an unobstructed view of the sky is ideal. Look for places with limited tree coverage. The visibility of a solar eclipse is greatly influenced by weather conditions. Clear skies are needed since cloud cover can obstruct the view of the sun.

Here are some other public spaces that are in the path of totality. Please be advised that these locations will not have any supervision, or eclipse viewing glasses.

• Lakeside Park (315 Queen Street)
• Kingsville Recreation Complex (1741 Jasperson Drive)
• Cedar Beach (1031 Heritage Road)
• Cedar Island Beach (Cedar Island Drive)
• Ridgeview Park (124 Fox Street, Cottam)

Be safe, Kingsville!

By following these safety tips, you can enjoy the incredible experience of a total solar eclipse while protecting your eyes from the harmful effects of direct sunlight. 

Use solar viewing glasses

Never look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection during any phase of the eclipse. “Directly” includes looking with the naked eye, binoculars, telescopes, or viewfinders of cameras. Use special-purpose solar filters or "eclipse glasses" that meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. Regular sunglasses are not enough. Before using solar viewing glasses, inspect them for any scratches, punctures, or damage. If they are damaged, do not use them. 

We have a limited inventory of solar eclipse glasses to distribute at the event while supplies last. We also have a cache to give away in advance on a first-come-first-serve basis (maximum of four pairs per household, per visitor), at the following locations: 

• Grovedale Arts and Culture Centre, 103 Park Street, on March 28 at 7:00 pm 
• Ridgeview Park in Cottam, 124 Fox Street, on April 6 at 3:00 pm

Be mindful of trespassing and traffic

Never trespass on private property. Be aware of your surroundings; do not disturb your neighbours, other eclipse watchers, wildlife, or plants in the area where you choose to watch the eclipse. 

Properly equip binoculars, telescopes, and cameras

If you're using binoculars or telescopes, make sure they have solar filters that are specifically designed for safe solar viewing. Do not look at the Sun through binoculars or a telescope without a solar filter. If you're taking photographs, ensure that your camera has a solar filter attached to the lens. Do not look through the camera's viewfinder at the Sun without proper protection.

Keep children and pets safe

• Supervise children to ensure they follow safety guidelines when viewing the eclipse. Educate them about the potential dangers of looking directly at the Sun.
• Keep pets indoors during the eclipse. Just as you should not look at the Sun without protection, the same applies to your pets.

Want to learn more about the eclipse?

• Looking for a safe Solar Eclipse experience? Check out the guidance by the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit 
• The Canadian Space Agency has details on the incoming eclipse, including renderings of the phenomenon and how to create an eclipse projector.
• Eclipse 2024 has a simulation on what the eclipse will look like from anywhere in the world!
• Discover the Universe has a wealth of information for educators and the community at large.
• Read the guidance by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - Windsor Centre for details about the eclipse. 
• Contact the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - Windsor Centre if you are interested in equipping your camera/telescope with a certified solar filters