For those still pondering their attire for Monday’s rare total solar eclipse event, the City of Niagara Falls has a bold suggestion: think celestial.
Teaming up with Niagara City Cruises, the city aims to break the world record for the largest gathering of people dressed as the sun. Guinness already has an entry for this, set by China Life Insurance Co. Ltd. in December 2020, with 287 participants.
With an expected influx of one million visitors to the city on Monday, the goal seems within reach.
To participate, individuals are encouraged to register online at niagarafalls.ca/living/solar-eclipse-2024.aspx and follow specific guidelines:
Participation Requirements:
- Arrival: Attendees must arrive at Niagara City Cruises Main Ticket Plaza (beside the zipline tower at 5920 Niagara River Pkwy.) by 8 a.m. sharp.
- Parking and Transportation: Due to anticipated road closures and limited parking, attendees are urged to carpool, bike, or use alternative transportation methods.
- Attire: Wear solid-colored black, yellow, or white pants, along with appropriate footwear and upper-body wear.
- Costume: Participants will be provided with a sun costume upon arrival, which they must wear throughout the event. The costume is one size fits most adults and older children.
- Duration: Plan to remain at the site location for approximately 2.5 hours (8-10:30 a.m.).
- Compliance: Once inside the event space, participants must remain in place or risk disqualification. Follow all directions from organizers and volunteers.
- Attitude: Maintain a cheerful and sunny disposition throughout the event.
The city will register 500 participants, but only the first 300 to arrive at the meeting point will receive a costume. Others can join the cruise as spectators until capacity is reached.
An official Guinness World Records adjudicator will be present to confirm the record attempt.
In Niagara, the eclipse is scheduled to start at 2:04 p.m. and end at 4:32 p.m., with totality lasting a few minutes starting at 3:18 p.m.
