Eclipse funding mounts
I love sky watching as much as anyone. More than most. (I once wandered out to the rim of the Grand Canyon in the middle of night to watch a meteor shower before coming to the realization that I was walking in the dark, without any barrier between me and a 4,000-foot drop.)
So I’m excited about the approaching eclipse.
But c’mon. The amount of government money going to planned celebrations of an event that may well be covered by Upstate cloudiness is out of whack.
The eclipse is supposed to be viewable across a swath of western and northern New York. (See the map below.)
Fundraisers know an opportunity when they see one. Here’s a list of some of the recent grants aimed at attracting visitors eager to spend 2 1/2 hours watching the moon block the sun:
- The NYS Park and Trail Partnership Grant program has awarded the Friends of Knox Farm State Park in East Aurora $35,000 to host “a family-centered solar eclipse viewing event complete with STEM programming, eclipse-specific activities, food and drink, entertainment and more.”
- The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra has received $118,000 from the Regional Economic Development Councils for a community concert the day before the eclipse. (Wouldn’t it be more uplifting to watch and listen at the same time?)
- The Greater Rochester Visitor’s Association received $168,500 to promote the area as a viewing location. The Genesee Country Village and Museum in Mumford will use part of a $79,283 grant for the same purpose.
- The councils also allocated $362,740 to the Wild Center in Tupper Lake for eclipse events.
- The Adirondack Fragrance & Flavor Farm in Potsdam received $97,400 from Empire State Development to promote eclipse-related events.
And on it goes.
I’m not saying this isn’t an opportunity to boost tourism. But does it take hundreds of thousands of government dollars? Those who want to see the eclipse can figure out where to go by googling it. And I won’t launch a timeworn rant about all the other programs lasting more than a day that these funds might benefit.
Just keep your fingers crossed for a happening that’s almost as rare here as an eclipse: blue skies.