Celebrating the Centennial and Eclipse at Knox Farm

So far this year, few events in New York State have held as much fascination and allure as the total solar eclipse!

Casting a shadow over the sun–and a large swath of the Empire State in early April– the eclipse captured the attention of millions, inspiring curious onlookers to journey to our remarkable state for a glimpse of this rare celestial occurrence. One event, hosted by the Friends of Knox Farm State Park, not only showcased this mesmerizing celestial event (albeit while battling a stubborn blanket of clouds), but also demonstrated the power of community and collaboration in turning an astronomical occurrence into an unforgettable experience.

The Setting: Knox Farm State Park

Nestled in a bucolic setting just a short walk from the bustling main street of East Aurora, NY, Knox Farm’s 633 acres served as an ideal venue for experiencing the eclipse. With its sprawling landscapes, lined with split rail fencing and dotted with repurposed farm buildings, the historic park provided an ideal backdrop for observers to immerse themselves in the wonderment… all while providing a festival-like atmosphere.

Planning and Preparation

Planning for EAclipse (“EA'' referring to the East Aurora community) began around a picnic table in July 2023 according to Kathleen York, Executive Director of the Friends of Knox Farm. (Side note: Kathleen’s position was created with the help of funding from a PTNY Park and Trail Partnership Grant in 2019!)

To make this picnic table dream a reality, the Friends of Knox Farm collaborated with park authorities and event coordinator consultants to meticulously craft an educational and celebrational event highlighting Park’s Centennial Year and the eclipse. The Friends of Knox Farm are one of more than 75 grassroots organizations partnering with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation to steward and promote our state parks and historic sites, providing benefits to visitors and these treasured public spaces alike. The Friends’ comprehensive plan included seeking funding for production of the event… successfully securing PTPG funding for $35,000 with a generous match from the Friends and local sponsors.

And the result of all that hard work and planning? A sold out event welcoming more than 2,500 participants from all over the state and beyond!

The site’s repurposed horse stables were transformed into a lively gathering of educational booths, offering a variety of engaging hands-on activities, robotics demonstrations, and more. NASA was also represented with a group of seasoned astronomers, armed with an array of telescopes, to provide hands-on education about the science behind solar eclipses.

Community Engagement

But the eclipse wasn’t the only highlight of the event; the community gathered in visitors, local businesses, the 500 volunteers pitching in to make the celebration such a success truly spoke to the importance of–and love for–our local public lands. So many gathered to provide financial support, expertise, resources, elbow grease, and enthusiasm, making the EAclipse a truly collective and memorable occasion. From providing shuttle services to distributing viewing glasses, the community's involvement added a layer of warmth and hospitality to the event.

To prepare participants for the main event of the day, members of the Haudenosaunee community took the stage to share traditional songs and teachings to welcome the phenomenon. It was a very meaningful offering to share from the Haudenosaunee community, as nearly eight centuries ago during a solar eclipse the Great Law of Peace was formed to create the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

The Main Event: Totality

As the much-anticipated moment approached, excitement rippled through the crowd with hopes of a miraculous break in the gray blanket above. 2,500 observers experienced the eerie darkening of the local landscape as the moment of totality approached. Then, almost of a moment, the progressing dim went triple-time, leaving observers in a beyond-twilight setting beneath a dark sky. With an ominous red glow along the horizon, birds fell silent and the air grew noticeably cooler as darkness enveloped the park. The stillness, however, was quickly pierced by cheers from those lucky enough to catch just the right moment when a hole in the clouds allowed an unobstructed and magical view of the sun’s corona glowing like a ring of fire.

Legacy and Impact

Though the eclipse itself lasted only a few minutes, the experience of its impact shaped the rest of the day at Knox Farm. A bluegrass band kicked into high gear, lines reformed at the beer vendors, and the activity booths in the stables again filled. Visitors departed having forged connections with fellow participants, all experiencing a singular moment of awe and celebration, deepening their appreciation for the natural world and their State Parks System

In the end, the sold-out EAclipse event was more than just a gathering to witness a rare astronomical event—it was a celebration of curiosity, awe, and community. Most importantly, it demonstrated what a hard-working group of dedicated staff and volunteers sharing the same goal can accomplish: building on a legacy of 100 years of the importance of our public lands to not only our communities today, but the generations before and those to come.

Looking for funding for programs or events such as this?

The 10th round of Park and Trail Partnership Grants opens Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Non-profit organizations whose missions reflect the stewardship and promotion of a New York State Park, Historic Site, or DEC public land are encouraged to apply for this year’s $1.8 million in awards. Details, including the schedule for upcoming informational webinars, can be found at: www.ptnyfriends.org/grants.

If you want to join in the statewide support of grassroots groups caring for our most treasured green spaces, consider donating or becoming a Member of PTNY today