WRITTEN BY KATIE SMITH
The total solar eclipse will visit Maine on April 8 starting at 3:28 p.m. and exiting at 3:35 p.m. Many people will be heading north to experience the eclipse since some of the best views will be in Houlton. Located in the center of the eclipse’s path, Houlton is also the last place you can see it in our state.
Not only will this be a great experience for everyone lucky enough to see it, the eclipse will also give the area an economic boost.
Kim Smith of the Presque Isle Community Development Association explained that April is considered a “shoulder” month in the tourism industry, hitting after the snowmobiling season ends but before the summer tourism season starts up. But this year, the eclipse will bring an economic boon to the area during an otherwise slow time of year.
Presque Isle, the largest city in Aroostook County and located 46 miles north of Houlton, is expecting a flood of eclipse travelers and a welcome boost to the local lodging, food, and fuel industries.
“Tourism indicates the average daily expenditure by a single visitor is over $500. If one multiplies this by the projected visitation of 5,000 to 20,000 visitors, one can see the obvious economic impact,” Smith said. “Assuming we have 10,000 visitors at $500 per day for only one day, this would mean an additional $5 million to the local economy. And not all visitors will only be in the city for one day.”
Many area businesses are opening early, or moving already scheduled annual events to the eclipse dates. Some are even creating new events to showcase their services.
“Just one example of this type of unique planning here in the Presque Isle area is the Francis Malcolm Science Center and Planetarium (located in Easton). The center has been offering ‘train the trainer’ events to assist local educators with strategies and resources to educate their students on the eclipse and how to properly view it,” Smith said. “In addition, the center has nature trails and is planning an ‘eclipse extravaganza’ with face painting, dome tours, and a ‘Hike the Darkness’ activity where visitors can hike the trail, which will have educational stations along the path.”
Jane Torres of the Houlton Chamber of Commerce agrees that the timing of the eclipse is ideal, landing during mud season when there usually isn’t a lot happening in the area. “Hotels are full, Airbnb’s are booked, summer cottages in the lakes area (about 25 miles away) are booking out fast,” Torres said.
Local restaurants and stores will be well stocked and the local co-op and cafe are planning a $10,000 restock of local goods such as honey, maple syrup, oils, books featuring Maine authors, and items by local artists.
“Our local faith community has kicked into high gear with fundraising plans for dinners, parking areas, places to park an RV, as well as having concerts and other forms of entertainment to engage our visitors,” Torres said. “Everyone seems to be doing something.”
Indeed, most of Aroostook County has events planned around the eclipse. And each town is working to promote the area in hopes that once people visit, they will return.