MANSFIELD, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—On April 8, Mansfield, will be at the center of a rare total solar eclipse, the first to cover Ohio in 208 years. The city and its surrounding villages will experience 3 minutes and 16 seconds of darkness at 3:12 p.m.
Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the OHclipse Mansfield viewing party at Richland County Fairgrounds, which will feature seating for 2,500 people, 200 campsites, a marketplace of local vendors and artists, food trucks, live bands, and more. Admission and parking fees apply, with camping packages available.
A free Total Eclipse of the Park Viewing Party will also take place at Central Park in downtown Mansfield, featuring live music and specials at local restaurant Dan Lew Exchang/DLX.
Malabar Farm State Park, just 10 miles from downtown Mansfield, offers unobscured visibility across its 900 acres of farmland and pastures. Other viewing locations include Bicentennial Park and Patriot Park in Lexington, and Stowell Park in Ontario.
Visitors are encouraged to book accommodations quickly and check the destinationmansfield.com/ohio-total-solar-eclipse website for updates.