Total eclipse: Santiam area may draw thousands for Aug. 21, 2017 event

By Mary Owen

The North Santiam Canyon will be one of the best spots to view the total eclipse of the sun on Aug. 21, 2017.

“People will already want to have their viewing spot secured for the morning of Aug. 21,” said Kelly Schreiber, executive director of the Stayton-Sublimity Chamber of Commerce.

“Communities can capitalize on providing a great visitor experience while increasing community prosperity.”

SSCOC will host a meeting to bring businesses, government entities and community partners together to discuss plans for how to best prepare for the crowds that are expected to arrive for the weekend before the Monday morning eclipse.

“We want to start the conversation,” Schreiber said.

The meeting is slated for Thursday April 28, 9:30-11 a.m. at the Santiam Hospital Freres Auditorium, 1401 N. 10th Ave., Stayton.

“This is a great opportunity to bring your ideas to the table. Together we can make the Great Eclipse of 2017 a memorable event for everyone,” she said.

The first total solar eclipse touching the continental United States since 1979 will touch down on the Oregon Coast between Lincoln City and Newport, with a trajectory that will run from the Pacific to Atlantic oceans. Before Oregon the shadow of the Moon does not touch any other landmass or island.

Oregon will be one of the most popular states to view the eclipse. While the rest of the United States offers a longer duration of total eclipse, sections of the path in Oregon offers the best weather prospects.

When the eclipse first touches Oregon, the Moon’s shadow will be racing at approximately 3,400 miles per hour.

When the Moon’s shadow leaves Oregon, it has slowed down to about 2,900 miles per hour because it is now higher in the sky. The width of the eclipse path in the Willamette Valley is about 87 miles.

The eclipse will reach Oregon at about 10:15 a.m. PDT and exit the state at 10:27 a.m., according to greatamericaneclipse.com

The “path of totality” has many area cities, including Aumsville to Idanha, in darkness for about two minutes at about 10:17 a.m.

Starting West to East, the towns first to go dark will be Aumsville, Scio, Stayton and Sublimity. Gates will be the last town before the eclipse heads east out of our area.

“Cities throughout the nation in the path of the totality are in the planning mode for this monumental event,” Schreiber said. “Past eclipses around the world have brought a significant number of visitors to the areas in hopes of seeing one of nature’s wonders.”

Schreiber cited as an example the 2012 solar eclipse in Cairns, Australia that attracted about 50,000 to 60,000 visitors and provided some $100 million to $300 million in economic benefit to the region.

“Will you be ready?” she asked.

To attend the meeting, RSVP by April 22 to Schreiber at sscoc@wvi.com, or call 503-769-3464.