News Release

2024 Total Solar Eclipse Watch Party

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News Release Date: March 5, 2024

Contact: Ryan Qualls, 937-225-7705

DAYTON, Ohio — Paul Laurence Dunbar once wrote that “all the world is in eclipse,” and this April that declaration will come true for Dayton’s National Park.

In celebration of the total solar eclipse, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park will host watch parties at several locations on Monday, April 8, 2024. Total solar eclipse will occur at 3:10 p.m. Park Rangers will distribute safe solar eclipse viewing glasses to attendees free of charge at each watch party. The first 300 attendees at each watch party will receive a 2024 eclipse patch. Watch party details are listed below, and all the events are free and open to the public.

The Wright-Dunbar Watch Party will kick off at 16 S. Williams St., Dayton, Ohio from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Activities include NASA livestream in the theater, presentations from NASA SCoPE subject matter experts, an Eclipse Junior Ranger activity, solar eclipse painting, live viewing of total solar eclipse with Unistellar smart telescopes hosted by SETI/Unistellar astronomer Dr. Ian Weaver, and other art and educational activities for children and adults. The event will occur on the plaza and the park information tent will have free solar eclipse viewing glasses and a LightSound set up for the blind and low vision community.

The Wright Memorial Watch Party will occur at 2380 Memorial Rd., Wright-Patterson Air Force Base from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Activities include NASA livestream in the theater, an Eclipse Junior Ranger activity, exhibits on the Wright brothers and the history of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The event will occur on the Wright Memorial grounds so please bring a blanket and chairs to set up your own viewing space. Rangers on site will have a LightSound set up for the blind and low vision community and will pass out free solar eclipse viewing glasses.

The Huffman Prairie Flying Field Watch Party will occur at the 1905 Replica Hangar site at Huffman Prairie from 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. This location is accessed at Gate 16A off Rt. 444, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The event will include free eclipse glasses and an Eclipse Junior Ranger activity. Take a hike at Huffman Prairie or explore the field where the Wright brothers discovered practical flight. This watch party is for those that would like to experience safe eclipse viewing without all the crowds.

Join in to witness this historic event in a safe and fun way! For more information about the watch parties and the solar eclipse, visit the park 2024 Eclipse page.