Community leaders across Aroostook County are currently planning for a major gathering of tourists to the region for April 8th’s total solar eclipse.
According to the Portland Press Herald, this is a rare phenomenon where the moon passes in front of the sun, darkening the sky and leaving only the outermost gases visible.
This event hasn’t been seen in the Maine skies since 1963, when the path of totality (the area where the moon completely covers the sun during the eclipse) passed through Milo, Bangor, Deer Isle and Stonington. The eclipse can only be (safely) seen by the human eye in the path of totality, which will be a 127-mile-wide path stretching from Maine’s western to eastern borders. The longest period of totality in the state will be located in Jackman and will last for 3 minutes and 28 seconds.
With Maine being one of the only 13 states where the eclipse will be visible, community leaders are currently seeking ways to attract tourists. Houlton has been planning for the event since 2021, with a three-day festival the weekend leading up to the big day, featuring a “Howl At The Moon” concert, a beer festival, planetarium tours and more. Millinocket is putting on a “Marathon & Half”, where competitors will run as far as they can while the eclipse is underway. And hotel rooms across the region have been booked up for months, with the only rooms left being available in the $300 to $1,000 range.
But outside of the weekend’s festivities, Maine Office of Tourism Director Steve Lyons says this could bring more long-term benefits to northern Maine. “Historically, there has been outward migration in places like Aroostook County because people don’t see the opportunities there. If we can get those people from away and people within the state to see the beauty and all the opportunities up there for visiting, then that will be that much more business for the region and support for the economy.”
Research publication “The Great American Eclipse” projects that 7,000 to 27,000 people could travel to Maine for eclipse viewing.
To read the original Portland Press Herald article, click here.
To learn more about the eclipse and activities surrounding it, visit maineeclipse.com.
