A Total Solar Eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada on Monday, April 8. Erie lies within the path of totality where the moon's shadow will completely cover the sun. 

Erie is the only major city in Pennsylvania in the path of totality: 

  PARTIAL BEGINS TOTALITY LENGTH OF TOTALITY PARTIAL ENDS
Erie 2:02 p.m. 3:16:24 p.m. 3 minutes, 42 seconds 4:30 p.m.
Meadville 2:02 p.m. 3:16:35 p.m.  2 minutes, 24 seconds  4:30 p.m.
Corry 2:03 p.m.  3:17:19 p.m.  2 minutes, 49 seconds  4:30 p.m.
Warren 2:03 p.m.  3:18:49 p.m.  41 seconds  4:31 p.m. 

Looking for more times? Use this interactive map >>

Erie News Now will begin our eclipse coverage digitally at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, April 8. Our on air coverage will begin at 2 p.m. 

Watch Parties 

Erie News Now will be hosting a Eclipse Watch party at the Erie Sports Center on Monday, April 8 to experience Erie's Total Solar Eclipse. 

A DJ, along with Amy Sas from HAPPI 927 will be playing music that's out of the world during the event.

John Stehlin, along with other Erie News Now talent will be at the event to meet attendees, discuss fun facts and myths about the eclipse and more.

Food and drinks will be available and Erie News Now will be providing attendees with eclipse glasses will supplies last.

Event Details:

  • Event Parking: Surface lot for 300 on site - $10 parking fee
  • Free Admission

Erie News Now is not the only place hosting a watch party on Monday. Check out our Total Solar Eclipse Events List and Interactive Map to find a party near you. 

Eclipse Glasses

If you're still looking for solar eclipse glasses, the following locations are giving away glasses for free:  

  • I-90 Pennsylvania Welcome Center (at PA/NY border): April 5-8, first come first served basis.
  • I-79 Rest Stop (near Edinboro, northbound): April 5-8, first come first served basis
  • Erie Visitor Center at Tom Ridge Environmental Center: April 5-8, first come first served basis
  • Erie News Now Watch Party at Erie Sports Center: first come first served basis
  • Country Fair: Starting March 25, one pair of eclipse glasses given away with each purchase, while supplies last.
  • Eclipse Fest, Clarion Hotel & Steelbound: Complimentary Eclipse Eyeglasses Available starting March 13 for all Dunkirk residents at no cost.
    • Pick up locations include the city clerk, treasurer and youth and recreation offices at Dunkirk City Hall located at 342 Central Avenue.
  • Erie SeaWolves 'Block' Party: Eclipse glasses will be available for the first 1,000 attendees.
  • Chautauqua County: LOCATIONS
  • Staples: Sold in all stores nationwide for $2.99

Here's some other fun ways to view the Total Solar Eclipse. 

Closures

Due to the Eclipse, and the high level of traffic expected many business have planned to close on Monday, April 8. The following locations will be closed on or during the eclipse: 

  • Erie City Hall: CLOSED, essential personnel only.
  • Fairview Township Municipal Building: OPEN 7:30-11:30 a.m., CLOSED during Eclipse
  • Millfair Compost & Recycling Center: CLOSED all day
  • Local School Districts: Find out if your child's school will be closed here.
  • Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority: All regularly scheduled fixed route services will run, LIFT
  • Services will be providing MEDICAL ONLY Trips.
  • Erie Philharmonic Office: CLOSED
  • Ambridge Rose Spa & Salon: CLOSED
  • expERIEnce Children's Museum: CLOSED
  • Glenwood Park, Eastside Family, Downtown and County YMCAs: Will CLOSE at Noon
  • Wegmans: CLOSED from 3-3:30 p.m.
  • Erie Water Works: All offices CLOSED
  • Community Blood Bank's Erie Donor Center: CLOSED
  • Youngsville Borough: Council Meeting RESCHEDULED to Tuesday, April 9 at 4:30 p.m.
  • Erie County Buildings:
    • Planning Department: CLOSED to public
    • Veterans Services: CLOSED
    • Health Department: CLOSED
    • Courthouse: CLOSED
    • Department of Human Services: CLOSED
    • Office of Children & Youth: CLOSED
    • Drug & Alcohol: CLOSED
    • MHID: CLOSED
    • Public Defender's Office: CLOSED
  • Millcreek Township Municipal Building: CLOSED to public at noon
  • Warren County Courthouse: CLOSED to public at noon
  • Meadville City Building: CLOSED
  • Chestnut St. from the Diamond to Market St. in Meadville: CLOSED starting at 11 a.m.
  • Jordan Rd. (between Old Station Rd. and Technology Drive) in Harborcreek: CLOSED from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Barber National Institute: CLOSED
  • SpaGo MedSpa: CLOSED

School Plans 

Due to the high level of traffic that is expected during the eclipse, many schools have opted to close. The following school districts have announced their plans for the eclipse: 

  • Conneaut School District: 1/2 day for students
  • Corry Area: No School for Students
  • Crawford Central School District: No school for students
  • Erie's Public Schools: Non-Attendance Day for Students
  • Fairview: No School
  • Fort LeBoeuf School District: Half Day, 12:45 p.m. Early Dismissal for Students
  • Girard: All Day No School
  • Harbor Creek School District: Students Off
  • Iroquois School District: Teacher In Service Day, No School for Students,
  • Millcreek Township School District: No School Thurs. March 28 - Mon. April 8,
  • North East School District: No School K-11, Seniors (12) Hybrid
  • Northwestern: No School, Teacher in Service Day
  • PENNCREST: 1/2 Day for Students
  • Wattsburg Area: No School, Wattsburg Area School District, Seneca High School
  • Warren County School District: Energy Day, No School
  • Union City School District: No school
  • General McLane School District: Flexible Instruction, School from Home
  • Luther Memorial Academy: Flexible Instruction Day, School building CLOSED

Traffic 

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) pa eclipse, along with Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) are advising residents to be aware of the potential for heavy traffic due to the influx of visitors expected. 

Residents are being advised to limit unnecessary travel in downtown Erie, state Routes and Interstates. 

Motorists can use PennDOT's 511pa.com eclipse page to monitor traffic on the day of eclipse. The web page offers various suggested routes and travel times to help drivers map a path to Erie.

Erie will experience one of the longest periods of darkness that day.

The page offers the following contains transportation related tips:

  • Plan ahead for longer than usual travel times to and from destinations. Take necessary supplies,
  • such as water, food and medications.
  • Exit the highway to view the eclipse.?
  • Turn on your headlights.?
  • Be alert for vehicles on the shoulder and increased pedestrian traffic.?
  • Put down the phone and never take pictures or videos while driving.
  • Take off eclipse glasses while driving.?
  • Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and don’t litter

The EMTA will be offering public transportation options on April 8, including all regularly scheduled fixed route services.

Many Erie restaurants, breweries and wineries plan to be open on the day of the eclipse, and some of them have even created eclipse themed food and beverage menus that are out of this world.

  • Tipsy Bean: Prenumbral Chai, Partial Mocha Latte, Totality Frappe, Afterglow Quencher
  • Romolo Chocolates: Eclipse Spumone
  • 6 Pack House of Beer: Zesty Eclipse of the Wing sauce flavor
  • Altered State Distillery: Special Solar Eclipse Coacktail and Batch Cocktails
  • Bay House Oyster Bar and Restaurant: Total Eclipse Schwarzbier Black Lager
  • Poverty Knob: Non-Alcoholic Galactic Lemonade, Galaxy Hot Cocoa
  • Black Monk Brewery: Moon Pies, Dunkel Side of the Moon dark German lager
  • Brewerie at Union Station: Dark Days Eclipse Beer
  • Calamari's Squid Row: Erie themed buffet, Blackout Punch, Darkside of the Moon
  • The Cork 1794: Moon pie, Blackout Martini, Midnight Mojito, Lunar Lemonade Mocktail
  • Erie Ale Works: Eclipse Goodie Bags
  • Donatos Pizza: Use Code ECLIPSE for online orders
  • Flagship City Food Hall: Select Vendors Offering Eclipse Day Specials
    • Ippa Pizza Napoletana: Total Eclipse specialty pizza
  • Passalinqua's Pizzeria: Eclipse themed pizza
  • Lavery Brewing Company: In the Path of Totality Czech dark lager
  • Pier 6 Rooftop Bar & Restaurant: Total Eclipse Schwarzbier Black Lager
  • Pineapple Eddie Southern Bistro: Blackberry Smash Solar Eclipse Cocktail
  • Purrista Cat Cafe: Eclipse theme specialty drinks
  • Rum Runners: Specialty Eclipse drinks and shots
  • Shoreline Bar & Grill at the Courtyard Erie Bayfront Hotel: Eclipse drink specials will be served in custom eclipse-branded glassware
  • Lake Erie Wine Country
  • Sonic: Blackout Slush

For a full list of open restaurants during the Total Solar Eclipse, head to VisitErie's website.

HAPPI 92.7 Eclipse Playlist

Amy Sas, the Host of Wake Up HAPPI, created the following Total Solar Eclipse Themed Playlist:

  1. Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden
  2. Blinded by the Light - Manfred Mann’s Earth Band
  3. Body Moving - Calvin Harris x Eliza Rose
  4. Eclipse - Pink Floyd
  5. Eternal Sunshine - Ariana Grande
  6. Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles
  7. Houdini - Dua Lipa
  8. Line of Sight - ODESZA
  9. Moondance - Van Morrison
  10. Spaceman - Nick Jonas
  11. Solar Power - Lorde
  12. Sunshine - Tyga, Jhene Aiko
  13. Steal My Sunshine - Len
  14. Sunset Lover - Petit Biscuit
  15. Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler
  16. You’re So Vain - Carly Simon

Erie News Now is hosting a Total Solar Eclipse viewing party at Erie Sports Center. Amy Sas will DJ the event from 1-4 p.m.

Where Our Teams will be During the Total Solar Eclipse