Email icon Back to Search
Solar eclipse image.

On Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will occur, and for the first time in 700 years, Loyalist Township is in the area known as the “Path of Totality” which means the moon will be perfectly aligned between the earth and the sun, blocking out the sun’s rays entirely.

The total solar eclipse will begin in the area at about 2:09 p.m. and conclude around 4:35 p.m. The moon is expected to reach the path of totality (maximum coverage by the moon) at 3:21 p.m. and total coverage will span until approximately 3:23 p.m.

This once-in-a-lifetime celestial event is expected to draw significant crowds to Loyalist Township and the surrounding area. Township officials are working to ensure that residents and visitors alike experience this rare spectacle safely. 

Looking directly at the sun during a solar eclipse can cause permanent damage to your eyes. There are no pain sensors in your retinas to tell you that your eyes are being damaged. Once symptoms begin, the damage is usually too late to reverse. If you are planning to watch the eclipse, please ensure you have ISO-certified eclipse glasses.

Residents, community members and visitors are encouraged to visit our 2024 Total Solar Eclipse webpage to learn about the following:

  • Safety recommendations
  • Traffic advisories
  • How to respect parks, public places, and private property
  • Amherst Island Ferry impacts
  • Local resources (where to get glasses, events, locations for viewing)
  • And more

Township offices will remain open to the public on Monday, April 8, 2024, during normal business hours; 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Township officials would like to remind parents that the Monday is a P.A. Day for the Limestone District School Board and Algonquin Lakeshore Catholic District School Board. Those overseeing childcare should set reminders about the eclipse and explain to children in your care the dangers of looking up during this event without proper eyewear protection. We recommend those with young children stay inside during the eclipse and shut their blinds or curtains to minimize any potential risk. 

Calling local business owners, community groups and schools! We encourage you to post the attached Solar Eclipse Safety Poster from Emergency Management Ontario at applicable sites to help encourage safe viewing practices.  

Learn more about the upcoming eclipse at www.loyalist.ca/eclipse