Overview:
Mansfield, Ohio, and its surrounding villages will experience a rare total solar eclipse on April 8. Visitors are encouraged to book accommodations and events in advance, as hotels are limited and some events have already sold out. Various events and activities have been planned for the occasion, including Total Eclipse Yoga, a viewing party at the Historic Ohio State Reformatory, a marketplace at the Richland County Fairgrounds, and tailgating at Snow Trails Ski Resort. Other viewing locations include Malabar Farm State Park, Bicentennial Park, and Stowell Park.
Contributed
MANSFIELD, OH – Thousands of visitors are expected to descend on one of the Midwest’s most welcoming and charming small towns this April 8, as the ultra-rare total eclipse of the sun puts Mansfield, Ohio and its visitors smack in the middle of the Path of Totality. As a result, the north central Ohio city and its surrounding villages will be plunged into darkness at 3:12 p.m. for 3 minutes, 16 seconds when the moon passes between the sun and Earth during the first total solar eclipse to cover Ohio in 208 years.
Mansfield and its neighboring Richland County villages have created special events for locals and visitors alike. Travelers are encouraged to book accommodations and ticketed events right away as hotels are very limited and some events have or will sell out. A detailed list, including events at local craft breweries and wineries, is found at destinationmansfield.com/ohio-total-solar-eclipse and visitors should arrive early for viewing and activities, as traffic is expected to be heavy. Similarly, visitors are advised to relax and hang out for a while to enjoy the local attractions and festival immediately after viewing the eclipse, in order to ease and avoid traffic congestion.
Travelers can start the day with Total Eclipse Yoga at 8:30 at Ohio Bird Sanctuary. Led by the center’s director, the class is $10 per person.
Eclipse in the Yard at the Historic Ohio State Reformatory takes place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Historic Ohio State Reformatory and features a DJ, entertainment and food trucks. Travelers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and set up in the “prison yard.” Ticket are $30, including parking, lawn seating for eclipse viewing, a self-guided tour of the Reformatory for use April 8 or any day in the future; it never expires. Prison eclipse glasses are available for purchase online in advance or onsite while supplies last.
Richland County Fairgrounds will be transformed into a massive OHclipse Mansfield viewing party with seating for 2,500 people, 200 campsites and three days packed with events and activities. A massive marketplace of local vendors and artists, indoor kids play area, souvenir eclipse glasses, food trucks, half a dozen live bands and some of the best viewing in the U.S. will take place on 100 acres with dozens of buildings and shelters, in case of inclement weather. Admission is $5 on Friday, $20 Saturday and Monday and $10 on Sunday. Parking is $20. A four-night tent and RV Camping Package is $500. The two-night package is $400. Both include parking and access to the festival for up to four people. (Nominal Eventbrite fees apply.) Travelers can purchase passes, parking and camping reservations at eventbrite.com/e/ohclipse-mansfield-tickets.
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Snow Trails Ski Resort offers a unique opportunity to view the Total Solar Eclipse tailgating spot in the resort’s expansive Parking Lot, on the ski slopes or on one of many leisure patios and viewing decks at Snow Trails. Live music in The Snowflake Loft, a full bar and Lucky’s Cafeteria serving breakfast and lunch will ensure a great time for everyone. Details and parking reservations, $25/car or $50/RV, are available at Snowtrails.com/eclipse.
Luminous Eclipse Solar Eclipse Gathering is hosting a pop-up gallery and viewing party from noon to 7 p.m. Hosted by Mankind Murals Inc. The outdoor gallery will feature more than a dozen local artists’ eclipse-themed work, a DJ, patio games, selfie stations and a limited number of solar eclipse glasses. Beer, wine and signature eclipse-themed craft cocktails like the Screwball Eclipse, Juicy Sunrise, Twilight Eclipse, Juicy Sunset, the Luke Skyy Walker and Chocolate Moon will add to the fun.
Witnessing the mesmerizing Solar Eclipse 2024 in Mansfield, Ohio will be even more unforgettable from noon to 4 p.m. at Alpaca Meadows. This picturesque farm is home to Alpacas, Angora goats and Angora rabbits. A self-guided tour route is directed by Fence Post Facts signage and features endless photo ops and a farm store loaded with alpaca-themed gifts and cozy, handmade alpaca apparel.
Eclipsed at the Estate takes place 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. at Kingwood Center Gardens where guests can experience the phenomenon of a total solar eclipse surrounded by the beauty of the 47 acres of lush formal and woodland gardens on the grounds of a sprawling former industrialist’s mansion estate. A limited number of certified viewing glasses will be available and drop-in educational activities are planned for kids of all ages. Guests also receive 10% off all plant purchases.
A Total Eclipse of the Park Viewing Party is slated for 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Central Park on The Square in downtown Mansfield at no charge. Viewing glasses will be available and R&B greats Jimi Vincent and Friends will be performing live. Popular Mansfield restaurant Dan Lew Exchang/DLX will feature appetizer, dining and drink specials during this festive party.
Another stellar viewing location is Malabar Farm State Park, just 10 miles from downtown Mansfield. Malabar’s 900 acres of gorgeous rolling Ohio farmland and wide-open pastures will offer unobscured visibility. Food trucks will be on hand and visitors are encouraged to bring eclipse glasses and blankets to enjoy the view, and to carpool to ease parking and anticipated traffic.
Richland County offers a number of other great spots for a clear view of the total eclipse, including: Bicentennial Park, Lex-Ontario Road, Lexington OH; Patriot Park, Plymouth Street, Lexington, OH; Stowell Park, Ontario; and others. Travelers are encouraged to check destinationmansfield.com/ohio-total-solar-eclipse for updates.
A destination unlike any other, Mansfield invites travelers to discover the fascinating stories of its warm and friendly people, hometown experiences, villages and history. They’ll find wealth of travel adventures, unique to the place, such as tours and Ghost Hunts at Ohio State Reformatory where the No. 1 movie of all time (per IMDB), the Shawshank Redemption, was filmed, along with nearly a dozen other sites along the Shawshank Trail. The new Buckeye Imagination Museum, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Kingwood Center Gardens, and BibleWalk create unforgettable family experiences marked by breathtaking scenery and rural charm. Hiking, biking, golf, an impressive wine and ale trail, bird watching and loads of other outdoor adventures entertain travelers of all ages. Complete visitor information is available at DestinationMansfield.com or (800) 642-8282.