10 Things Mainers Need Before Solar Eclipse Visitors Invade

Maine is known as 'Vacationland,' so we’re already used to tourists, but things are going to be different leading up to April 8th.

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On April 8, 2024, a Total Solar Eclipse will be taking over Northern Maine.

During a Total Solar Eclipse, the Moon moves between the Sun and Earth, blocking the Sun's light and casting a shadow on Earth. This creates a brief period of darkness during the day, known as 'totality,' when only the Sun's corona is visible.

According to NASA, the path of totality will enter the United States in Texas and travel through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and finally, our Pine Tree State.

Folks 'from away' will be traveling to Maine from all over the country and even the world. There's no doubt that there will be people from Canada making the drive south to witness this phenomenon.

The last time that Maine was in the path of totality was on July 20th, 1963, and the next one in our state will be in 2079.

Who knows what will happen? Birds may stop chirping, the temperature may drop, and someone may make a joke yelling 'Who turned the lights off?' What is certain is that eclipse chasers and curious spectators alike are making plans to be in the path of totality.

So, we need to be ready.

As Mainers prepare for the influx of visitors, there are essential items they'll need to have on hand. Some items are obvious, like plenty of drinking water to stay hydrated, eclipse glasses to safely view the eclipse, and extra supplies for potential crowds.

Other items on the list may surprise you, however.