Livingston County is in eclipse path of totality, and hotels are packed for solar event

Yahoo News

April 8 won't be anything like an ordinary Monday in the Western New York, Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions.

The first total solar eclipse over the Empire State in a century will darken the sky like it's dawn or dusk as the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun.

The roughly 100-mile-wide path of totality will enter in the southwestern part of the state at just after 3:15 p.m. and will depart northern New York just before 3:30.

According to Great American Eclipse, up to 4 million people will travel to get the best eclipse experience, and thousands are planning trips to upstate communities in New York that will be within the path of totality.

New York officials are promoting the state as an "eclipse vacation destination," encouraging visitors to extend viewing trips to enjoy other tourists attractions.

Livingston County is lined up for a big influx of visitors. While only parts of neighboring Steuben and Allegany counties lie in the path of totality, every Livingston community will have an opportunity to glimpse the sun's glowing white outer sphere 200 times hotter than the surface.

"We are certainly planning on it being a great event for Livingston County. Kind of an economic (boost)," said Bill Bacon, director of the county's economic development office. "We are asking that our businesses take advantage and find any opportunities that they possibly can."