It’s not every day that exciting, celestial events are viewable from Columbus, Ohio. But on August 21, 2017, that all changed.
If you had been planning for the eclipse for months, you were probably headed out of town. But for those who stayed in the capital city, there were plenty of places to watch the solar eclipse.
The solar eclipse is exciting, but those who want to watch should be prepared. It’s dangerous to look at the sun, even during an eclipse event. If you’d like to purchase eclipse glasses, you can do so. Ahead of the 2017 eclipse, Perkins Observatory had approved glasses for sale at five Columbus Half-Priced Books locations:
- Lane Ave
- Reynoldsburg
- Carriage Place
- Lewis Center
- Westerville
Columbus Metro Parks
Columbus Metro Parks hosted viewing parties at several different locations around the city. The events provided family-friendly, hands-on activities, and a limited number of solar glasses. Locations that hosted eclipse events were:
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Blacklick Woods Metro Park
Blendon Woods Metro Park
Homestead Metro Park
Inniswood Metro Gardens
Rocky Fork Metro Park
Scioto Grove Metro Park
Three Creeks Metro Park
Library Events
A variety of public libraries held solar eclipse events. Columbus Metropolitan Libraries had events at every branch, in association with COSI.
Bexley Public Library
The Bexley Public Library invited guests to view the solar eclipse from its patio from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. There was space-themed storytime and eclipse crafts for the kiddos. The library had already given away its limited number of eclipse glasses.
Westerville Public Library
From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., guests could view the solar eclipse from the front lawn of the Westerville Public Library. The library did not give away solar eclipse glasses, but had some available for attendees to share during the event.
Upper Arlington Public Library
The official event took place from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Tremont Library. There were a limited number of glasses and pinhole cameras to share during the event.
Southwest Public Libraries
Although Southwest Public Libraries was all out of solar eclipse glasses, it still hosted a viewing event at its Grove City location from 1:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Crafts, storytime, and more were available for attendees.
Granville Public Library
From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., guests could attend the Granville Public Library solar eclipse event. Granville High School physics teacher Mike Bait was onsite to help attendees learn what to expect from the solar eclipse and to help guests photograph it. Younger kiddos could participate in eclipse crafts and activities.
Adult Events
Land-Grant Brewing
Land-Grant Brewing hosted a unique eclipse viewing event. COSI was there with science demonstrations and solar eclipse activities. The event ran from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. The first 15 guests to order a beer received a free Land-Grant “Beer-clipse” poster, and the posters were available to all attendees for $5. Sunnyside Taco Truck was also at the event, serving tacos.
DogTap at BrewDog
DogTap hosted a Black Out party for the solar eclipse. Guests enjoyed space-themed menu items as well as some delicious beer, and brought blankets for the lawn along with their solar eclipse viewing glasses. The event ran from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
Want to throw your own party instead of headding out? Here are some tips for a successful Eclipse Viewing Party!
Get your hands on some NASA approved eclipse glasses, or make a pinhole camera for yourself!
No #eclipse glasses? No problem–you can make a pinhole projector with a box and a few basic supplies. https://t.co/EHx37WMXc5 #Eclipse2017 pic.twitter.com/e3H0wlEhPC
— NASA Sun & Space (@NASASun) August 11, 2017
Invite your best friend over.
Whip up some space themed desserts.
Don’t forget the perfect solar eclipse cocktail.
Throw on some celestial-inspired jams.
And of course, have fun viewing the first total solar eclipse over America in 100 years!
Know of any awesome solar eclipse events? Be sure to tell us on Facebook or Twitter!
