Total Eclipse of the Park – John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area

Join us for a family friendly eclipse viewing event for the 2024 Great North American Total Eclipse, located on the shores of Lake Erie in the path of totality! Your entry fee includes your pair of ISO- and CE-Certified eclipse glasses.

The Homestead will open at 9am and guests are encouraged to arrive early as traffic volumes are expected to be high. Tickets are only available for pre-purchasing – no tickets will be available at the door.

Activities Include:

• Big Sun, Small Moon - participants can don sun and moon costumes and act out their own eclipse
• Pinhole Projector - view the eclipse in this unique, old-fashioned way!
• Time telling and the Sun - make a sundial, learn about the pioneers’ ‘Noon Notch’ and more
• Shadows and Light - communicate with light signals and have fun with our shadow theatre

The eclipse begins at 1:59pm and concludes at 4:29pm, with the total eclipse taking place from 3:13pm – 3:17pm in the Essex region, which will be the first region in Canada to experience this natural phenomenon.

Admission - $15 per person (20% discount for Seasonal Pass holders, with promo code)

Premium Parking in the lot at John R. Park Homestead - $7 per vehicle

Please advise if you have a valid accessible parking permit – no charge 

-- Frequently Asked Questions --

1) Can I view the eclipse without special viewing glasses?

Never look directly at the Sun without using protective filters that comply with the ISO 12312-2:2015 standard. Even when almost the entire Sun is covered by the Moon, light from the remaining crescent Sun is intense enough to cause a retinal injury. Solar eclipse viewers and glasses are designed to give a safe comfortable view of the partly eclipsed Sun.

2) What should I bring to the Total Eclipse of the Park?

Consider bringing chairs for your comfort while viewing the eclipse.

Wear clothing and footwear suitable for being outdoors for the duration of the event in a conservation area (trails and lawn) setting. We recommend warm layers as there is often a cold wind off of Lake Erie at this time of year.

3) Will food and beverages be available for purchase on site?

Yes, a selection of food and beverages will be available for purchase on site.

4) Are there washroom facilities?

Yes, heated and accessible washroom facilities are available.

5) Are pets allowed?

Pets are not permitted at the John R. Park Homestead on special event days. Papered service animals are always welcome. Visitors with pets in violation of these rules may be removed from the event at any time with no refund.

6) What if it’s cloudy, rainy, or I otherwise can’t see the eclipse due to the weather?

We certainly hope for a clear viewing of the eclipse.  That being said, we can not guarantee the weather and no refunds or exchanges will be made under any circumstances.