A Lamar digital billboard along Interstate 90 is counting down to Erie's Total Solar Eclipse, and beckoning visitor to see the "Ultimate Sunblock" here.

It's a VisitErie marketing campaign in the works for the last two years, but now the final countdown to the event is on, with an estimated tourism draw of up to 250,000 people.

And the weather forecast for eclipse day, April 8 is looking bright.  It's something John Oliver, president and CEO of VisitErie is watching closely. "You know we're hearing that the weather forecast looking out looks like it's going to be good, so you know we're excited," Oliver said.  "It's it's been a long build up but it seems like everything's coming together," he added.

Visitors still looking for hotel rooms are in luck, with a new Spark Hotel, by Hilton getting ready to open on Oliver Road.  Workers and staff have been pushing to finish a total renovation, and say they're ready to open just in time for eclipse weekend.  Jennifer Hogue, regional manager for Chase Hotel Group told us, "We have 13 rooms booked already and we're not even open.  We have 69 rooms total here at Spark and the going rate for the eclipse is going to be $699.00...it's a very competitive rate and I have no doubt we're gonna fill the hotel up," she added.

With less than a week to go, VisitErie Marketing Director Emily Biddle said they're getting calls every day from businesses adding  new events and watch partied.  "It's really been incredible to see the Erie community sort of embrace this and hopefully that gives visitors really a lot of options to to check out while they're in town."

All the newest information on events, parking glasses and more keeps getting added to the VisitErie Eclipse 2024 website from events and parking, to traffic, where to find watch glasses and more. 

They say locals can still plan to watch the event from home if they want to avoid traffic, but if they want to mingle with visitors for the once in a lifetime event, just allow time. "Just give yourself enough time to get where you're going to go and and recognize that this Monday April 8th is not going to be business as usual," Biddle said.