Eclipse events to enthrall and entertain as Vermont gets ready for totality
A previous version of this article misidentified the future name of the Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain.
It’s been nearly a century since the last total solar eclipse in northern Vermont, so there’s no way a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence like this can happen without a big party.
Venues and organizations throughout the region are preparing for the celestial event that takes place April 8 by planning events that might just be as memorable as the eclipse itself. The moon blotting out the sun will inspire awe, and these activities (listed alphabetically) should simply inspire fun with their combinations of music, food and skygazing. Don’t forget that the state is expecting enormous traffic for the occasion, so plan your time accordingly.
Put those eclipse glasses aside for a moment and read on about some of the places you might want to consider anchoring yourself April 8.
Bread & Butter Farm
1-5 p.m., the family-friendly “You Are My Sunshine” eclipse celebration will include music from Mister Chris, farm-fresh food available for purchase and a chance to walk the farm’s trails (at the height of mud season, don’t forget).
Bread & Butter Farm, 200 Leduc Farm Road, Shelburne. $10 admission by bicycle, $25 by motorcycle, $60 by car with up to eight passengers, $99 by passenger van with up to 15 passengers. www.breadandbutterfarm.com
Burlington parks/Obscura BTV
Events throughout Burlington’s parks for the city’s Obscura BTV celebration include:
1-5 p.m., the largest viewing site, Waterfront Park, will feature music from Mikahely, AliT and DJ Kwame as well as live narration, food trucks and more.
1 p.m., events at hilltop Battery Park overlooking Lake Champlain begin with DJ Disco Phantom and also will include music from the All Night Boogie Band and Jeh Kulu.
1-4 p.m., Roosevelt Park in the Old North End marks the day with family-friendly programming including crafts, a space-themed obstacle course, a bounce house and more.
2-8 p.m., smack in the heart of downtown, City Hall Park has DJ CRWD CTRL and, after the eclipse itself, a performance by the aptly named band Moondogs, plus food for sale.
Waterfront Park/Battery Park/Roosevelt Park/City Hall Park, throughout Burlington. Free. www.burlingtoncityarts.org
Camp Meade
These sprawling grounds in central Vermont will play host to live music, street performers, glassblowing demonstrations by Sam Lightner of Lightner Glass, activities for kids, a science-themed story walk and food for sale.
Camp Meade, 961 U.S. 2, Middlesex. $10 for adults; free for kids. Tickets include eclipse-viewing glasses. www.campmeade.today
ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
10 a.m.-5 p.m., the kid-friendly science center on Burlington’s waterfront joins with the Vermont Astronomical Society for a full day of activities. Those in attendance can view the progression of the eclipse through a variety of sun-safe items such as sun-oculars, telescope projections and eclipse glasses. Scenes of the eclipse will be livestreamed as it moves across the country and an eclipse pop-up exhibit will be set up for viewing.
ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, 1 College St., Burlington. $3 per ticket plus museum admission of $14.50-$18; free for members and children 2 and under. www.echovermont.org
Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium
Noon-4:30 p.m., a planetarium is a natural spot to take in a celestial event, and this Northeast Kingdom destination is filling the afternoon with craft tables, livestreamed NASA video, planetarium tours and, from 3-4 p.m., a live broadcast of “But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids” with host/executive producer Jane Lindholm and the planetarium’s director, Mark Breen.
Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, 1302 Main St., St. Johnsbury. $15-$17 museum admission, free for members and children ages 4 and younger; $8 planetarium admission, free for members. www.fairbanksmuseum.org
Higher Ground
7:30 p.m., you couldn’t find a more appropriately named headliner on this day in the Ballroom of Vermont’s most prominent music venue than the self-described New York-based cosmic-soul group Lady Moon & the Eclipse, joined by Burlington’s own Acqua Mossa.
Higher Ground, 1214 Williston Road, South Burlington. $12 in advance, $20.44 day of show. www.highergroundmusic.com
Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain
4-7 p.m., just after the total eclipse wraps up, the “Total Eclipse of the Heart” party begins at this longtime lodging option that’s about to be rebranded as the Hotel Champlain. The event will feature dancing to ‘80s music (the cheesy song that gives the party its name should have been your first clue), an ‘80s-themed gift bag, one drink ticket per person (cash bar after that) and hors d’oeuvres.
Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain, 60 Battery St., Burlington. $55. www.facebook.com/hotelchamplainvt
Hula
Noon-5 p.m., the South End coworking campus marks the occasion with food, drinks, music and lakeside views of the eclipse.
Hula, 50 Lakeside Drive, Burlington. $10; free for children under 5. www.hulalakeside.com
Middlebury Recreation Park
Noon-4 p.m., the Middlebury and Brandon recreation departments and libraries come together to present an eclipse-viewing event that will include food, music and other events.
Middlebury Recreation Park, 277 Mary Hogan Drive, Middlebury. Free. www.vermontvacation.com
Montshire Museum of Science
10 a.m.-5 p.m., this Upper Valley spot will mark the day with the chance to make pinhole viewers and sessions in the inflatable StarLab planetarium between 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. followed by outdoor viewing of the solar eclipse from 2-4:30 p.m.
Montshire Museum of Science, 1 Montshire Road, Norwich. $17-$20; free for museum members and children under 2; $3 extra for StarLab sessions. www.montshire.org
Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport
2-5 p.m., a place that sends people into the sky looks toward the sky with its “Transcend” celebration outside the airport that will feature live music from The Owl Stars and Troy Millette & the Fire Below, mini-golf, food trucks, bar service, cornhole games and more.
Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport, 1200 Airport Drive, South Burlington. $100 per person; free for ages 12 and under. www.flybtv.com
St. Albans Bay Park
2-5 p.m., this eclipse viewing party in prime totality territory along Lake Champlain will feature music by The Rustics and food and drink from Pete’s Pickle Shack, Mill River BBQ & Smokehouse and 14th Star Brewing.
St. Albans Bay Park, 596 Lake Road, St. Albans. Free. www.stalbanstown.com
Shelburne Athletic Fields
2-5 p.m., if you were shut out of the viewing party at nearby Shelburne Museum, another option hosted by the town of Shelburne includes a DJ and multiple food trucks.
Shelburne Athletic Fields, 166 Athletic Drive, Shelburne. Free. www.shelburnevt.org/569/2024-Solar-Eclipse
Shelburne Vineyard
Noon-5 p.m., “Moonshadow: An Eclipse Viewing Experience” will feature wine and cider tastings, charcuterie boards, cheese plates and entertainment that will include tarot readings and an improvised musical score to the entire eclipse provided live by Marie Hamilton on harp and Tom Pearo on looping electric guitar.
Shelburne Vineyard, 6308 Shelburne Road, Shelburne. $20. www.shelburnevineyard.com
The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery
Noon-5 p.m., the art exhibit “Phased,” which runs April 5-26 and was inspired by the eclipse, will be open for viewing on the day of the eclipse. The main event itself can be viewed from outside the gallery that’s easily identifiable by its astronaut mural.
The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery, 266 Pine St., Burlington. Free. www.spacegalleryvt.com
Spruce Peak
Noon-6 p.m., the Stowe ski site will host a party featuring music from DJ Logic, food and drink for all ages, crafts for kids, a photo booth and eclipse hikes around the mountain property.
Spruce Peak, 7412 Mountain Road, Stowe. Free. www.sprucepeak.com/eclipse2024
Taylor Park
2-5 p.m., St. Albans has the longest totality viewing time of any location in Vermont, so the city is taking full advantage with an event downtown featuring music from Ryan Sweezey & the Midnight Walkers, family activities, a juggler and stilt walker from Nimble Arts and plenty of food and drink vendors.
Taylor Park, 36 N. Main St., St. Albans. Free. www.downtownsaintalbans.com
Trapp Family Lodge
10 a.m.-5 p.m., the renowned Stowe resort gets in on the solar eclipse action with an event that will include cornhole as well as live music from 1-4 p.m.
Trapp Family Lodge, 700 Trapp Hill Road, Stowe. $21.40-$42.80; free for children under 3. www.trappfamily.com
Vermont Lake Monsters
11 a.m.-5 p.m., Burlington’s collegiate baseball team will host an eclipse party including food and drinks, on-site music from KOOL 105.1 FM and, from 2-5 p.m., a chance to greet the ever-popular roly-poly green mascot Champ.
Vermont Lake Monsters front office and team store, 1 King St., Burlington. Free. www.vermontlakemonsters.com
For more information
To check out other eclipse-related activities in the state, visit www.vermontvacation.com
Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@freepressmedia.com.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Solar eclipse in Vermont: Events at Higher Ground, Shelburne Vineyard
