Lake County offering incentive for eclipse events
[Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the date of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.]
PAINESVILLE, Ohio (WJW) – The countdown is on until the total solar eclipse on April 8. To encourage businesses to attract as many people as possible to Lake County, the visitors bureau is rolling out the Eclipse Events Grant Program, which will award grants of up to $10,000 to its members for hosting events leading up to the phenomenon.
“Our businesses that we work with, our communities, they are getting really geared up,” Executive Director Neil Stein said. “You know, we’ve been trying to encourage them to to do events and to tell us about it ahead of time. And as soon as that first of the year hit, the switch definitely flipped.”
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Stein said the program is open through the end of February, but applicants must be members to qualify.
“From all-day events, they can apply for up to $1,000 and then for events that are just happening on the day of the eclipse, they can still apply, but it’s up to $500,” he explained. “Again, trying to send invites, people to do those multi-day events.”
The eclipse is expected to generate tens of millions of dollars for the tourism industry, bringing tens of thousands of people to areas within the path of totality. Northeast Ohio is projected to be one of those top locations.
Stein said so far about 10 local businesses have applied for the grant, but the cash allotment is for this program is capped at $10,000. The application window is open through February, and grant recipients will be selected by a committee.
“We want big events because there’s a lot of people that are planning to be coming to town,” Stein said. “So, you know, from a county perspective and from a, like, a first responder perspective, the more those people are spread out, the better it’s going to be for everybody.”
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Pickle Bill’s Lobster House is one of the area businesses that plans to apply for the grant because they are planning a four-day event leading up to the eclipse.
“The band Ulterior Motive will be playing on April 8. All weekend, we will be featuring drink and food specials. As a matter of fact, we already have eclipse T-shirts for sale,” owner Marianne Powell said. “Where else is a better spot to watch this phenomenon than on the Grand River?”
There are many other events planned across the region and county, including a watch party at the Lake County Captains stadium, wine trails events near Madison, and a watch party in Mentor at the city’s amphitheater. More information on events can be found here.
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