City reminds residents and visitors to solar-brate the April 8 eclipse safely

KINGSTON, ONT. / March 25, 2024 – With the total solar eclipse just two weeks away on April 8, the City of Kingston is reminding residents and visitors to prepare ahead of time for a safe solar-bration.  

Turn around, bright eyes! 

Do you have your eclipse viewing glasses yet? Looking directly at an eclipse without proper protection, even briefly, can cause immediate or delayed vision loss. Only eclipse viewers that meet international standard ISO 12312-2 are strong enough to protect your eyes from permanent damage.

• Queen’s University is distributing 20,000 certified glasses through the Kingston Frontenac Public Library system at no cost. Elementary and high school staff and students in Kingston will have access to Queen’s eclipse glasses through their respective school boards, including the Limestone District School Board, Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic District School Board, and local private schools. 

• Purchase certified glasses through Tourism Kingston’s website or at the Visitor Information Centre at 209 Ontario St. 

Prepare ahead for stress-free eclipse enjoyment 

Run errands, gas up, gather what you need before the weekend of April 6. As Kingston is listed as a prime location for viewing the total eclipse, we plan to welcome 70,000 to 500,000 visitors. Expect heavier traffic, longer wait times for services and the potential for cellular signal disruption due to increased demand. If you are going to one of the designated viewing locations, pack everything you need for the day, including glasses, snacks, water, sunscreen, insect repellant and an umbrella. 

Most City facilities will be closed 

To prioritize the safety of staff and patrons, the City of Kingston has cancelled all regularly scheduled programming at all City facilities on Monday, April 8. City administrative buildings will also be closed. Services and information will continue to be provided online at CityofKingston.ca or by phone at 613-546-0000. 

Keep our roads safe for all  

Leave the car at home! Bike, walk, or take free Kingston Transit to your destination. If you are driving in Kingston on April 8, be patient and aware. Traffic congestion that day is expected to be significant, so give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination and watch out for pedestrians and cyclists. If the eclipse begins while you’re still in your car, please do not look directly at it or take pictures while driving. Let’s work together to ensure everyone arrives home safely after the eclipse! 

Stay connected 

Sign up for information updates from the City, Tourism Kingston and other partner agencies as we count down to the big day! Visit CityofKingston.ca/Eclipse2024 for regular updates.