Experience the Eclipse in Stark County

Stark County eclipse watch party locations offer pre- and post-event entertainment options. Come early, stay late, and avoid the traffic. Head to Experience Hartville for acres of shopping and a fun watch party, followed by a dinner concert by Terry Lee Goffee — The Ultimate Johnny Cash Tribute. (“Ring of Fire” is sure to be on the setlist!)

Spend the night, conveniently, right next door in the award-winning accommodations at Comfort Suites Hartville. If you prefer to spend your night camping under the stars, Akron-Canton Jellystone Park is opening for the rare solar eclipse event with tent and RV campsites available for $75 per night.

If you want to be immersed in nature for the Great North American solar eclipse, hit the trails at Quail Hollow State Park. Start the day on scenic woodland trails, then watch the eclipse from the rolling meadows and gardens with clear views of the sky. 

Canal Fulton in the northwest corner of Stark County, is another location in the eclipse path of totality. Head to St. Helena Heritage Park for the Towpath to Totality watch party planned in partnership between the City of Canal Fulton and Stark Parks. Watch the solar eclipse with eclipse viewing glasses provided by Great Lakes Science Center (available while supplies last) and enjoy various eclipse-themed activities all for free. Activities run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

Eclipse movement starts at 1:58p (partial) with totality beginning at 3:14 p.m.

Be sure wherever you view the eclipse, you are viewing it safely. You should never look directly at the sun and must wear solar filter glasses to view the sun safely during the period of totality. Solar filter glasses that meet international standard requirement code of ISO 12312-2 are available for purchase in the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum Gift Shoppe. The museum is home to a science and nature center and planetarium. Learn more about astronomy during one of the regularly scheduled programs in the Hoover-Price Planetarium including Cosmic Kids and Universe at Large.

MAPS Air Museum is another great location to watch the incredible celestial experience. Admission is $40 per car and includes guaranteed parking with unobstructed views, two pairs of viewing glasses with extra available for purchase, and access to tour the museum from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lunch will also be available for purchase from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Find an abundance of hotel options along with restaurants, shopping, and entertainment nearby in Canton’s Belden Village retail district.

Find more information about all the special happenings and plan your Solar Eclipse experience in Stark County!