Total solar eclipse, Guardians home opener, and Women’s Final Four could draw unprecedented crowds and traffic in Cleveland.
All roads lead to Cleveland – or at least it might seem that way. From the total solar eclipse to the first home game of the 2024 season for the Cleveland Guardians and the Women’s Final Four college basketball tournament—and even a special Total Eclipse Fest concert performed by The Cleveland Orchestra—thousands of people are expected to descend upon Cleveland within the same short period.
“We’re treating this like a holiday, busy holiday — Memorial Day, Labor Day,” said Jacqueline Gerling, the Director of Communications for Cleveland Metroparks, in an interview with News 5 Cleveland about the anticipated crowds expected in the city.
With all those extra people in Cleveland, don’t be surprised if there’s a spike in car accidents in the city, attorney Tom Merriman of Merriman Legal recently explained. That’s why Cleveland drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists should be prepared for this once-in-a-lifetime event.
What’s happening in Cleveland on April 7 and April 8? Everything!
The list of high-profile events occurring in Cleveland during this two-day period would usually be enough for a month’s worth of activities. Such events include:
- Solarfest at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame through April 8 in Cleveland.
- Total Eclipse Fest concert performed by The Cleveland Orchestra at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 7 at the Great Lakes Science Center.
- NCAA Women’s College Basketball Division I Championship game at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 7 at the Rocket Mortgage Field House.
- Cleveland Guardians home opener vs. the Chicago White Sox at 5:10 p.m. on Monday, April 8 at Progressive Field.
But the true highlight of the weekend in Cleveland starts at 3:13 p.m. on Monday, April 8. According to astronomers, that’s when the Cleveland Total Solar Eclipse will start. The last time Cleveland was in a solar eclipse path of totality was 200 years ago, according to News 5 Cleveland. (The exact date of the last total solar eclipse in Cleveland was 1806, according to the Akron Beacon Journal.) And when is the next total solar eclipse in Cleveland? The year 2444.
How crowded will Cleveland be on Total Solar Eclipse weekend?
With everything happening in and above Cleveland on April 7 and April 8 leading up to the Total Solar Eclipse, it’s no surprise that city officials anticipate massive crowds to descend upon the city. So, how crowded will Cleveland be, especially when the total solar eclipse occurs on April 8?
“The city is expecting anywhere from 140,000 to 200,000 people packing the area from Edgewater Beach to The Great Lakes Science Center,” Fox 8 News Cleveland reported. “That’s equal to roughly the crowd of three Browns games all at one time. The Mayor said the influx of visitors on Monday will be like a Browns game, Cavs game, Guardians game and St. Patrick’s Day all combined.”
What is Cleveland doing to prepare for Total Solar Eclipse traffic?
Cleveland city officials have been preparing for this event for months. Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd told Fox 8 News Cleveland that every Cleveland police officer “will be working that day, and all districts will be fully staffed.”
“In our districts, we have our normal operations that will answer calls for service,” Todd said. “We’re also looking at those parks and rec centers for any event that we know is going to take place or be scheduled and the unscheduled that happens there as well.”
Many roads will be closed on Monday, April 8, in an effort to minimize anticipated traffic problems in Cleveland. In anticipation of the massive crowds, Fox 8 News Cleveland reported that widespread parking bans will also be in effect on April 8 across Cleveland.
Don’t let an accident spoil the fun
Car accident injury claims in Cleveland can be complicated, even under normal circumstances. Add in a once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse and massive out-of-town crowds, and you have a recipe for a chaotic legal case if you’re involved in a collision during Cleveland’s eclipse weekend.
Fortunately, you don’t have to deal with everything on your own. Attorney Tom Merriman and his talented legal team at Merriman Legal can help you every step of the way.
An award-winning lawyer who has handled many high-profile nationwide legal cases, Tom knows what to do when injury victims in Cleveland need help filing a claim or lawsuit. When you make our team your team, you can focus on recovering from your injury while we cut through all the red tape often associated with complex legal cases.
Don’t be left in the dark after your car accident, even if it happens during the total solar eclipse in Cleveland. Make our team your team. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation with a car accident attorney who puts your best interests first. We’re conveniently located on West 9th Street in Cleveland and handle injury claims throughout Northeast Ohio.
