The City of Oberlin is gearing up for the highly anticipated total solar eclipse on April 8, which is expected to draw a significant number of visitors to the area. Oberlin Fire Chief Robert Hanmer estimates that 10–15,000 people will be coming from out of town to witness the celestial event.
As part of the preparations, Oberlin College will be hosting OCLIPSE, a two-hour viewing party on Bailey Field. The event will feature eclipse-viewing glasses, musical performances, snacks, and a screen printing class, with Observatory and Planetarium Coordinator Dave Lengyel providing narration for the eclipse.
Additionally, Oberlin City Schools will be providing students and staff with eclipse-viewing glasses, and all schools will be closed for the day to accommodate the influx of visitors.
To ensure a smooth experience for both residents and visitors, the City of Oberlin has issued an advisory, recommending that residents fill up their cars with gasoline prior to the weekend of April 6–7, stock up on food and drink, avoid scheduling appointments on the day of the eclipse, and refrain from travel on the weekend and Monday.
Furthermore, the City has emphasized that overnight parking, RV parking, and camping are not permitted in City parks or at the Oberlin Recreation Complex. Visitors have been advised against parking on the grass. City facilities will be closed on Monday, with only the Police Department and Fire Department remaining open to the public. However, City services will continue to be accessible via the City’s website, phone, and email.
In terms of safety measures, the Oberlin Fire Department and the Central Lorain County Fire Department will have additional staff on hand over the weekend and Monday to address any potential emergencies. Concerns have been raised regarding the risk of hypothermia among individuals camping out before the eclipse, prompting the Fire Department to stock up on heat packs, blankets, and warming shelters. Additionally, the possibility of drug overdoses from illicit drug use over the weekend has led to the stocking of Narcan for emergency situations.
At the College event, the Fire Department has mandated the setup of a medical tent and will have first responders monitoring the crowd to ensure the well-being of attendees.
Overall, the City of Oberlin and the Fire Department are working diligently to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals during the influx of visitors for the total solar eclipse.
