PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (WCAX) – The region is just 52 days out from a rare total solar eclipse, and the North Country communities of Plattsburgh and Cadyville are among those right along the path of totality on April 8.
“It is not just about having this once-in-a-lifetime experience, it is something to know that we are part of a larger structure in the universe, which I think is really neat,” said Plattsburgh Town Supervisor Michael Cashman.
For those communities in the path of totality, the Moon will completely cover the Sun, casting a large shadow for about three minutes and 33 seconds.
Kristy Kennedy with the North Country Chamber of Commerce says SUNY Plattsburgh is teaming up with the Strand Theatre for an eclipse art exhibit. “The Strand is taking on the dark side of the solar eclipse and SUNY Plattsburgh’s art department will be taking on the light side, and they will be kind of partnering and bouncing people back and forth and kind of educating them on what the solar eclipse is, but in a really holistic and art approach way,” she said.
Cashman says the town will be hosting an event at Cadyville Park. “That is the big event itself, but we are also going to have a story on the Storybook Trail and some other amenities that our parks are well known for, like disc golf, that people can get out there and enjoy the parks,” he said.
Cashman and Kennedy say hotels are filling up quickly with roughly 93% of rooms already booked in Clinton County. “Our county is about 80,000 people, so if a just a small segment of that population invites some family and friends from outside the area — plus the hotels, plus some day visitors — we are talking about a significant amount of people up here in the Plattsburgh area,” Cashman said. “When we roll out the red carpet, what we are doing is letting people know what that North Country white glove treatment is, but it also is an opportunity to invite people back during the other four seasons.”