The Path of Totality Runs Through Ely

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Ring of Fire Festival Set for October Eclipse

ELY, Nev. – This year an annular solar eclipse is set to cross North America on Oct. 14, 2023, and it’s going to create quite a celestial show for people who have gathered in Ely, Nevada. The hidden gem in the eastern part of the state sits directly in the path of totality this year. Thanks to its open landscape and minimal light pollution, Ely is home to some of the darkest skies in the nation. In fact, it’s such a perfect spot to watch the eclipse that the San Francisco Exploratorium is teaming up with NASA to live stream the event from the Nevada Northern Railway Museum.
To celebrate the occasion, Ely is hosting the first ever “Ring of Fire Eclipse Festival,” with a series of fun events all week long leading up to the eclipse at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The weekend is jam-packed with fun activities before and after the eclipse, including the following:

  • The White Pine Public Museum will host expert talks about Nevada’s UFO history
  • The Nevada Northern Railway will take passengers on a special eclipse-viewing ride on one of its century-old steam locomotives.
  • The Lions Club will put on their infamous punkin chunkin pumpkin hurling competition and Renaissance Fair
  • Guided group mountain bike rides will be available
  • A pub crawl will take place through downtown Ely
  • A live band will feature a set of cosmic-inspired music

Preferred Viewing Locations
There are eight preferred viewing locations in or near Ely that will offer a variety of events, speakers and services. 

  1. Nevada Northern Railway Museum – In addition to the live stream, the NNRY will host scientific talks and special steam locomotive rides before, during and after the eclipse.
  2. Great Basin National Park – The official designated international dark sky location will hold talks with interpretive park rangers and scientists. 
  3. White Pine County Fairgrounds – A family-friendly scene at the site of the annual horse races, this spot will offer plenty of food options.
  4. Downtown Baker – Downtown Baker will be buzzing with live music, scavenger hunts and great restaurant options.
  5. Shelbourne Pass – For those looking for a more remote option, visitors will find parking but no other services.
  6. Sacramento Pass Recreation Area – This is another remote option that will offer camping and bathrooms.
  7. White Pine Airport – This overflow area will offer parking, plane camping, and an open house event.
  8. White Pine Golf Course – This additional overflow area will provide parking, bathrooms and food.

Events continue to be added to the festival schedule. For the latest, and for details on lodging, visit: www.elynevada.net/ring-of-fire-eclipse-festival.

About Ely: Located about 240 miles from Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, Ely is one of Nevada’s best kept secrets and perfect for people who want to create their own adventures off the beaten path. Sitting on the Eastern edge of “The Loneliest Highway” (U.S. Highway 50), Ely is a great base camp for some of the best outdoor recreation in Nevada, all year round; from mountain biking and climbing to hiking and hot springs. It’s also just a short drive to Great Basin National Park, home of the magnificent Lehman Caves and ancient Bristlecone pine forests.Ely was founded as a stagecoach station along the Pony Express, and its rich history is celebrated in a series of murals that decorate downtown. Visitors can also step back in time at the Nevada Northern Railway museum, a National Historic Landmark which offers visitors the opportunity to experience an actual working railroad and provides excursions on steam and diesel locomotives. For more information visit: http://elynevada.net/

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