Eclipse party in works for 2024

Event expected to boost community, attract visitors

The reaction to the recent solar eclipse is already inspiring plans to celebrate the next one, right in Mentor.

This area saw a partial eclipse — about 80 percent — on Aug. 21, but Northeast Ohio is projected to be in the “path of totality” for the next one, in 2024.

After traveling to the Kentucky-Tennessee border for a better view of this summer’s eclipse, Mentor Community Relations Administrator Ante Logarusic decided to design a watch party for the city.

He and his son saw the eclipse in a Lowe’s parking lot, which was packed, and he noted the campers and other RVs that had come to town for the event.

“It was neat,” Logarusic said. “And I started thinking about how Mentor would be an ideal place to watch. We have easy freeway access, we have lots of retail — lots of parking lots,

lots of restaurants, nine hotels — and we could throw one heck of a party at the amphitheater with bands, food, glasses giveaways, all of it. …

“I thought it would be fun to create the event

while this was still top of mind.”

Moon Over Mentor Eclipse Party is planned for April 8, 2024. The invitation is already on Facebook, and more than 700 people have expressed interest so far.

“Though it’s obviously too early to offer any specific details, you know that we know how to throw a party!” the invite reads.

Resident Sharon Gravius posted her approval of the party plans.

“We went to Nashville for the 2017 Total Eclipse,” she said. “It was amazing to share this experience with a huge crowd having fun. Can’t wait to experience it at home.”

City Council President Janet Dowling supports the idea as well.

“I laughed when I saw that, then decided, what the heck,” she said. “Hopefully, I will still be around.”

Logarusic said he plans to approach the Lake County Visitors Bureau to help with promotion in 2023.