Canton’s economic experts project an increase in tourism and subsequent financial benefits from the solar eclipse on April 8. However, the local community is confronted with the logistics of accommodating the anticipated influx of visitors. As residents try to profit off of this rare opportunity, they must make it a safe and memorable experience for everyone.
“So that’s very exciting, and we will see the moon completely block the disk of the sun,” saidAileen O’Donoghue, St. Lawrence University’s Henry Priest professor of physics. “It’s going to be utterly amazing and a life changing experience.” Indeed, North America’s second total solar eclipse in the last seven years is bound to be a momentous occasion, attracting foreigners from all over the country.
The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce has decided to capitalize on this influx of tourists, promoting the celestial event as a country-wide initiative. “So we’re trying to bring economy into St. Lawrence County,” said Kathryn Puleo, the tourism and events manager of the COC. Puleo demonstrates the importance of community collaboration in preparing for this viewing event. She says that educating the public and managing the anticipated crowds is a logistics issue that the COC and its partners have been planning over the past year.
One of the logistics by the government will include opening up lanes of traffic at the U.S. borders to allow international access to the viewing sites. “We have two international bridges in St. Lawrence County that are right South, somewhat close to Montreal and directly South of Ottawa, so that’s our biggest target right there,” Puleo said. Further, totality chasers who are seeking rural viewing sites are expected to visit from as far as Europe.
Particularly, the rural setting of Canton and its neighboring towns exude a tranquil ambience that benefits local businesses such as the 24 East Main Street Bed & Breakfast.
“I think this place caters to a specific guest and our experience–it’s more of like a home, and making breakfast and really getting to know the guests, rather than a hotel,” said general manager of the B&B Laura Wells. She hopes that the “fun events” organized by locals for the solar eclipse will have long-term benefits with more people returning for peak tourist seasons.
“This is what we call mud season right now and the hotels are typically not very full,” stated Puleo. However, given the rareness of the eclipse, there has been an increase in bookings throughout Canton’s lodgings, which have received reservation requests since the new year. However, restaurants have not been pre-booked, demonstrating the guest-uncertainty for such businesses, given the abundance of eateries and chains across neighboring towns. Regardless, restaurants are staffing up in preparation. Sergi’s, for example, will benefit from this measure as the manager expects a busy week, with the hope of gaining a 20 percent increase in sales.
In addition to the preparation methods of local businesses, O’Donoghue warns incoming visitors to take precautionary methods. “Bring water, bring food, fill up your tank before you even leave home,” she said. “If you’re going to need groceries, get them the week before the eclipse.” O’Donoghue, who was present for the total eclipse in Kansas on Aug. 21, 2017, recalls the bumper-to-bumper traffic in states within the path of totality. She notes that people could expect such chaos here as well, if visitors come unprepared.
Dan French, the SLU Nature Up North project manager emphasizes that while economics comprises financial benefits, it also relies on sustainable practices. French stated that he is expecting approximately 100,000 people into St. Lawrence County. “So, a massive load of people showing up for a four-minute experience,” he said, suggesting the vulnerability of the Adirondack trails is subject to degradation with the incoming traffic.
However, the question remains: Is Canton’s community prepared to host such a large event? With SLU’s on-campus event open to students and alumni, along with the anticipated buzz of local businesses, the Canton community may just manage it. Students such as Tyler Karasinski emphasized that the eclipse is more than an economic asset, and that one should take advantage of experiencing it. Nature Up North Intern Nela Cestojanova also emphasized this sentiment. “So it’s more like a nice community event, doing something together,” she said.