TourismOhio launches 2024 solar eclipse trip planning feature

        With the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse quickly approaching, TourismOhio has launched an updated Total Solar Eclipse map to make planning for the event in Ohio easier.
        The April 8 event will plunge parts of Ohio into total darkness for nearly 5 minutes as the moon passes between the sun and Earth. Several cities, including Dayton, Lima, Toledo, Findlay, Cleveland, and Akron, are in the path of totality. In total, 55 Ohio counties will experience at least a partial eclipse.
        “From state agencies to our local partners, there are many Ohioans working together to ensure that visitors and residents have a safe and enjoyable experience in the Heart of it All,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development, which oversees the TourismOhio office. “With all there is to experience in Ohio, you can create an unforgettable weekend filled with memories your family will be talking about for years to come.”
        The interactive Total Solar Eclipse Map on Ohio.org helps visitors plan their trip to Ohio with places to watch the eclipse and an interactive list of viewing parties, festivals, and other events happening across the state.
        The Total Solar Eclipse landing page also includes other ideas to create an out-of-this-world itinerary perfect for a long weekend—travelers can also go ‘to the moon and back’ along the Ohio Lunar Road Trip or gaze up at the stars with the best spots in the state, and explore Ohio’s top-rated science museums with their families.
         Visitors are encouraged to share their Ohio total solar eclipse memories and adventures on social media with #OhioTheHeartofitAll and #Eclipse2024.  
 
Upcoming events:
        Ongoing: Above and Beyond, Imagination Station Toledo, 1 Discovery Way. Get a closer look at the advances that transformed aviation and aerospace, from the first powered flights to the latest inventions on Earth and in space. Featuring five different galleries full of interactive, hands-on experiences. Combined with the science center’s new solar eclipse programming, Above and Beyond helps give visitors community a detailed understanding of outer space and the eclipse experience area residents will have on April 8. imaginationstationtoledo.com.
        Through March 31: “Taking Flight – The Tuskegee Airmen and The Great Lakes,” National Museum of the Great Lakes, 1701 Front St., Toledo. Take flight through history to uncover the Great Lakes’ connection to the famed Tuskegee Airmen. nmgl.org.
        Through April 14: “The Brilliance of Caravaggio: Four Paintings in Focus,” Toledo Museum of Art, Canaday Gallery. Landmark exhibition pairs four theatrical paintings by the renowned Italian artist with four works by Italian, French, Dutch and Spanish artists in TMA’s collection who found inspiration in his technique and subject matter. toledomuseum.org.
        Through Sept. 1: “Beth Lipman: ReGift,” Toledo Museum of Art, Gallery 18. Motivated by histories Lipman discovered in the archives at the TMA, the project features a three-quarter life-sized recreation of the parlor in Edward and Florence Libbey’s Old West End house. toledomuseum.org.
        Through Dec. 31, “Chasing Totality, The History of Science and Eclipses,” Hayes Presidential Library and Museums, Spiegel Grove, Fremont. On April 8, Spiegel Grove and the rest of Sandusky County will be plunged into total darkness as the moon completely blots out the sun. The “Chasing Totality” exhibit looks at the science behind eclipses and the history of astronomy’s attempts to understand that science and takes a look at one particular solar eclipse that drove Americans across the country to the western territories during Hayes’s presidency. Included with regular admission. rbhayes.org.
        Through Aug. 30, 2025: “Africa Unmasked,” Toledo Museum of Art, Gallery 1. Exhibition commemorates 65 years of African art collecting and exhibiting at TMA. Featuring 16 works, ranging from the oldest to the most recent acquisitions, the display invites viewers to appreciate the permanent collection as both an example of African innovation and as an outgrowth of evolving European-American ideas about African culture. toledomuseum.org
        Through Aug. 30, 2025: “Expanding Horizons: The Evolving Character of a Nation,” Toledo Museum of Art, New Media Gallery. Installation celebrates, complicates, and above all, aims to instill curiosity and inquiry about American art. toledomuseum.org.
 
March
        March 2: All Wheels Swap, Sandusky County Fairgrounds, 901 Rawson Ave., Fremont, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Formerly Fremont Racers’ Swap. Swap/trade anything with wheels. Featuring new and used racing parts and equipment, boats, trailers and more. 419-332-5604, sanduskycountyfair.com.
        March 2: Glass City Wine Festival, Glass City Center, 401 Jefferson Ave., Toledo. Afternoon session runs from 1-4 p.m.; evening session runs from 6-9 p.m. VIP admission available. glasscitywinefestival.com.
        March 2: Afternoon of Jazz with Jean and Lisa Holden, Glass City Center, 401 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, 3-5 p.m. Jazz Alley, a first-floor corridor in the Glass City Center, will come alive with a free jazz concert from Jean and Lisa Holden. glasscitycenter.com.
        March 2: Toledo Walleye vs. Iowa Heartlanders, Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, 7:15 p.m. The Walleye will play on pink ice to raise awareness about breast cancer. toledowalleye.com.
        Through March 3: Restaurant Week Toledo. An opportunity to enjoy delicious meals at special prices from dozens of the Glass City’s best locally owned restaurants while supporting Leadership Toledo’s tuition-free youth programs. restaurantweektoledo.com.
        March 3: Thrift & Sip, Bridal Edition, Maumee Bay Brewing Co. Event Warehouse, 201 Morris St., Toledo, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. An opportunity to buy, sell and trade wedding dresses, accessories and décor. mbaybrew.com/whats-happening/.
        March 3: Toledo Walleye vs. Iowa Heartlanders, Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, 5:15 p.m. toledowalleye.com.
        March 5-6: PAW Patrol Live! Great Pirate Adventure, Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, 6 p.m. An action-packed, music-filled production. huntingtoncentertoledo.com.
        March 7: Glass City Wranglers vs. Kokomo BobKats, Owens Community College Gym, 7315 Championship Dr. W, Perrysburg, 7 p.m. glasscitywranglers.com.
        March 7: “Golden Girls – The Laughs Continue,” Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Boulevard, Toledo, 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Miami’s sassiest seniors return for one more hurrah. 18+ only (adult themed comedy). Post-show photo experience with the cast available for purchase. stranahantheater.com.
        March 7 and 14: “All the Ohio Ladies: First Ladies of the Buckeye State,” presented virtually via Zoom, 6-7:15 p.m. Hear stories of the lives and legacies of Ohio’s eight first ladies during two virtual programs featuring experts from historic sites, presented by Hayes Presidential Library & Museums and First Ladies National Historic Site. Join the program by clicking https://zoom.us/j/92195639874?pwd=UE5relRMNTdIbkMrZFoyZVVoQkREZz09 Meeting ID: 921 9563 9874 Passcode: 8Be2Uk. 
        March 8: Toledo Zoo Wine Tasting, Zoo Great Hall, 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, 7-9 p.m. Delight in a delectable mix of wines from around the world, hors d'oeuvres, live music and more. Open to ages 21 and older; valid ID required. toledozoo.org/events/wine.
        March 8: Toledo Walleye vs. Cincinnati Cyclones, Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, 7:15 p.m. toledowalleye.com.
        March 9,: The Foul Mouth Road Run, Main St., Gibsonburg, 10 a.m. Sign up for a Half of a Half Marathon (6.55 miles) and the Half of a Half of a Half Marathon (3.27 miles). Entry fee $20 per participant. All participants registered by 11:59 p.m. on March 4 are guaranteed a race shirt. Race day registration is $20. All proceeds from the event and shirts go directly to the Brandan’s Brigade effort. Food, entertainment and other refreshments available at the American Legion after the run. Online registration at runsignup.com (search: Foul Mouth Road Run). For info, contact Marc at 419-637-2634 or mdglotz@yahoo.com.
        March 9: “Apollo 11 Documentary,” KeyBank Discovery Theater, Imagination Station Toledo, 1 Discovery Way. 5:30-9 p.m. Take a trip back in time and feel the exhilarating moments as Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins took their historic trip to the moon. tickets.imaginationstationtoledo.org.
        March 9: Toledo Walleye vs. Kalamazoo Wings, Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, 7:15 p.m. Rock the Rink Weekend; Battle of the Badges. toledowalleye.com.
        March 9-10: Fremont Flea Market, Sandusky County Fairgrounds, 901 Rawson Ave., Fremont,  9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. 419-332-5604, sanduskycountyfair.com.
        March 9-10: Fantasticon, Glass City Center, 401 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. A mid-size comic con created for true comic book and pop culture collectors and fans. fantasticon.net.
        March 10: “Songs for the Victorian Parlor: The Music of Stephen Foster,” Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, Spiegel Grove, Fremont, 4-5 p.m. Hear songs written by “the father of American music” in the historic Hayes Home and learn about the man behind them. Tickets for non-members are $15 for adults, $6 for kids 6-18 and free for kids 5 and younger. Tickets for HPLM members are $12 for adults, $5 for kids 6-18 and free for kids 5 and younger. rbhayes.org. 
        March 12: Solar Eclipse Education with Saturn V Education, Birmingham Branch Library Community Room, 203 Paine Ave., Toledo, 4 p.m. Gain understanding of the Earth, moon, and sun, and how to safely participate in the April 8 Solar Eclipse. Eclipse glasses will be passed out at the event. events.toledolibrary.org/event/9605830.
        March 14: Out of This World Speaker Series – Jim Ottaviani, Imagination Station Toledo, 1 Discovery Way. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Join Solar System Ambassador Jim Ottaviani, and composers Jamie Leigh Sampson and Andrew Martin Smith of ADJ•ective New Music as they explore the mysteries of exoplanets and how our solar system inspires creativity and art here on Earth. imaginationstationtoledo.org.
        March 15-17: St. Patrick’s Day at Hensville Park, Washington and St. Clair streets, Toledo. For a full schedule of events, visit hensvilletoledo.com/st-patricks-day.
        March 15-17: Monster Jam 2024, Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave., Toledo. An action-packed motorsport with world-class athletes locked in intense competitions of speed and skill. Witness heated rivalries, high-flying stunts and fierce head-to-head battles for the Event Championship. huntingtoncentertoledo.com/events/monster-jam/.
        March 15-17: Annual Blarney Irish Pub Annual St. Patrick’s Day Block Party, 601 Monroe St., Toledo, Times TBA.
        March 16-17: 38th Annual Fremont Toy Show, Sandusky County Fairgrounds, 901 Rawson Ave., Fremont, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. More than 200 tables of collectible toys and die-cast racing collectibles. 419-307-5026.
        March 16: Toledo Symphony with Common, Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle Theater, 2445 Monroe St., Toledo, 8 p.m. Award-winning hip hop artist, actor, film producer and poet, Common joins the Toledo Symphony for a one-night-only performance. artstoledo.com.
        March 17: Citizen Science: Wildflower Surveys, Creek Bend Farm: Wilson Nature Center, 720 S. Main Street, Lindsey, 1-2:30 p.m. Connect with nature and learn more about wildflowers. No experience is needed to assist with identifying and cataloging wildflower species found in the park. The workshop will include a presentation on identifying wildflowers, tutorials on two mobile apps, and the requirements needed to participate in this project. Open to ages 12 and up. Register at lovemyparks.com.
        March 17: John Mellencamp Live and In Person, Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Boulevard, Toledo, 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. stranahantheater.com.
        March 21: Out of this World Speaker Series – Dr. Jose Francisco Salgado, Imagination Station Toledo, 1 Discovery Way, Toledo. Salgado is an Emmy-nominated astronomer, experimental photographer and visual artist whose “Science and Symphony” films have been presented in more than 254 concerts and 205 talks. See his planetary photography during a night of awe-inspiring wonder. maginationstationtoledo.org.
        March 22: Glass City Wranglers vs. Cincinnati Warriors, Owens Community College Gym, 7315 Championship Dr. W., Perrysburg, 7 p.m. glasscitywranglers.com.
        March 22: Toledo Walleye vs. Fort Wayne Komets, Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, 7:15 p.m. toledowalleye.com.
        March 23: Herb & Garden Symposium, Schedel Arboretum & Gardens, 19255 W. Portage River S. Rd., Elmore, 8 a.m. Topics include Bonsai 101, Gardening for the Soul, Hydrangea Dynamics, Inspiring Herbs and more. $39.95 includes lunch and beverage from Bella Cuisine. schedel-gardens.org/calendar.html.
        March 23: Easter Egg Hunt, Stony Ridge Park, 10 a.m. Open to children through age 12. Sponsored by the Stony Ridge Civic Association.
        March 23: Solar Eclipse Education with Saturn V Education, Oregon Branch Library, 3340 Dustin Rd. 4-5 p.m. Attendees will gain an understanding of the Earth, moon, and sun, and how to safely participate in the April 8 solar eclipse. Eclipse glasses will be passed out at the event. events.toledolibrary.org/event/9772635.
        March 23: Annual Easter Egg & Candy Hunt, Adolphus Kraemer Park, 125 N. Church St., Oak Harbor, 2-4 p.m. Presented by the Oak Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce, the event will begin at the Log Cabin with an Easter Egg Hunt, followed by a candy hunt downtown, and then visits with the Easter Bunny at the Log Cabin. Free to the public and open to children ages 12 years and under.
        March 23: Teddy Bear Care Fair, Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way, 10 a.m. Bring your favorite stuffed pal and Zoo volunteers and staff will make sure it’s fixed up and fit for another year. Visitors and their stuffies can also enjoy keeper talks, animal feeding demonstrations, characters and more bear-y fun activities. toledozoo.org/events/teddy-bear.          
        March 24: Bridal & Wedding Expo, Glass City Center, 401 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, 1-5 p.m. Admission is free with online registration or $10 at the door. Featuring an array of wedding professionals, plus prizes and giveaways. bridalshowsoh-sg.com.
        March 27: Presidential History Book Club, Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, Spiegel Grove, Fremont, noon-1 p.m., in person and online. This month, the club is reading “Tecumseh and the Prophet,” By Peter Cozzens. For online login information, email jdubbert@rbhayes.org. Participants can bring their lunch. 419-332-2081, rbhayes.org.                 March 29: Toledo Mud Hens vs. Nashville Sounds on Opening Day, Fifth Third Field, 406 Washington St., Toledo, 4:05 p.m. The teams will also take the field March 30 at 4:05 p.m. and March 31 at 2:05 p.m. milb.com/toledo.
        March 29: Animal Egg Hunt, Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way, during Zoo hours. Hop in to see what egg-citing treats the Easter Bunny dropped off for your favorite animals. toledozoo.org/events/animal-egg-hunt.
        March 29: Toledo Walleye vs. Wheeling Nailers, Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, 7:15 p.m. toledowalleye.com.
        March 29-30: Breakfast with the Bunny, Toledo Zoo Malawi Event Center, 2 Hippo Way, 9-11 a.m. Enjoy a breakfast buffet and an egg-citing animal encounter. There will also be a meet and greet photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny. toledozoo.org/events/bunny.
        March 30, 2024 – Easter Shop Hop Saturday, downtown Fremont, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Hop on down to Downtown Fremont to see the Easter Bunny at the Bunny House on the corner of Croghan and Front Streets. Also, visit downtown businesses and shop locally. downtownfremontohio.org.
        March 30: Easter Egg Hunt, Schedel Arboretum & Gardens, 19255 West Portage River Rd., Elmore, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Bring your own basket. This event is free, donations of canned foods will be accepted for donation to the Elmore Food Bank. Separate egg hunting areas will be designated for three age groups between 1-12 years. schedel-gardens.org.
        March 30: Hayes Easter Egg Roll, Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, Spiegel Grove, Fremont, 12-2 p.m. Kids are invited to an afternoon of fun at the event, which replicates the White House Easter Egg Roll that Rutherford B. Hayes started when he was president. Participants should bring three hard-boiled, colored eggs to use in the traditional egg games, which will take place on the Hayes Home lawn. Ages 3-10  can bring a pre-decorated egg to enter the decorated egg contest. The Easter Bunny will make an appearance and be available to take photos with kids. Other activities include a scavenger hunt, story reading, a craft and corn hole toss. In case of rain, some activities will be moved into the museum; egg games would be canceled. Visit rbhayes.org for updates.
        March 30: Toledo Walleye vs. Indy Fuel, Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, 7:15 p.m. toledowalleye.com.
        For more events, be sure to visit presspublications.com, visittoleddo.org, shoresandislands.com or sanduskycounty.org. Submit event information to twalro@presspublications.com.