Solar eclipse is now just 13 weeks away

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

13 weeks from today is when a rare total solar eclipse will occur over this part of Ohio and other areas of the state.

Van Wert County is in the path of totality for the April 8 eclipse. Locally, the eclipse will begin at 1:54 p.m. that day and will reach totality at 3:08 p.m. for approximately four minutes, before ending at 4:27 p.m.

All of Putnam, Allen, Auglaize and Mercer counties will be directly in the path of totality, along with most of Paulding County. The northwest corner of Paulding County is just outside the northernmost limit of the eclipse.

Ohio EMA officials still believe the entire area, especially Van Wert County, will be a popular spot for those wanting to see it and they’re estimating the county’s population could double to 58,000 for the once-in-a-lifetime event. Roads are expected to be congested, especially prior to and immediately after the eclipse. There are also concerns that the temporary population swell will affect supplies of food and gasoline and will likely tax Wi-Fi and cell phone services.

A number of Ohio communities in the path of the eclipse have started planning various celebrations and other attractions. Wapakoneta is one of those communities and a website, wapaksolareclipse.com has been created to outline the various offerings, including the Ring of Fire Fest and a pre-eclipse party, as well as lodging options and tourism information. Other communities in the path are planning similar celebrations and some are selling commemorative t-shirts and other memorabilia.

In Van Wert County, two eclipse planning meetings were held last year and EMA Director Rick McCoy said he plans to schedule additional meetings, but no dates have been set yet.

No known local celebrations are planned as of yet, outside of Main Street Van Wert’s “Total Eclipse of a DORA Crawl”, which is scheduled for 6-10 p.m. Saturday, April 6, two days before the eclipse. The Van Wert County Fairgrounds is offering camping spots for people traveling to see the eclipse, and local schools have made the decision to cancel classes for the day.

The eclipse will be the first in Ohio since 1806 and the final one in the Buckeye State until 2444.