Towns across a swath of upstate New York will have a rare moment in the spotlight on Monday — once they are enveloped in complete darkness.

For the first time in nearly a century, western and northern New York will experience a total solar eclipse. The path of a total solar eclipse, a narrow stretch where the moon completely blocks the sun, passes through towns such as Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Jamestown.

Although the entire event will last several hours, the main view (when day turns to night) is only expected to last about four minutes. However, this build-up has been years in the making.

“This is like our Super Bowl or a Taylor Swift concert,” said Patrick Kaler, CEO of the tourism agency Visit Buffalo Niagara. He said the first tour group booked a trip to the area following the 2017 partial solar eclipse.

While the tourism boom will be short-lived, it is a welcome economic jolt for the region, which has been hit hard by the loss of its industrial base. According to a report by the New York State Auditor General, New York’s manufacturing industry shrank by more than 60% from the 1940s to 2009.

Buffalo will be one of the biggest beneficiaries. The state’s second-largest city is expected to welcome as many as 1 million visitors, according to Common Council member Joel P. Feroleto. That’s the same as the entire population of Erie County.

According to data analysis company AirDNA, more than half of the U.S. cities along the path of the solar eclipse are fully booked for the evening of April 7, and thousands of Airbnbs are expected to have 100% occupancy rates. In the Adirondacks and north, police told commuters to prepare for traffic jams of up to 12 hours, and severe congestion was expected in other areas.

“I would ride my bike to work,” said Tommy Cowan, managing partner of Buffalo bar Patrick’s Rooftop.

Despite the troubles, people are excited, Cowan said. His bar overlooking the Erie Canal has sold nearly 300 tickets to a solar eclipse viewing party. Each guest will receive a free pair of solar glasses and a menu that includes a recent addition: the Eclipse Cocktail.

Resurgence Brewing Co. has similar ideas. The Buffalo-based beer company is launching an eclipse-themed draft beer at 3:18 p.m., the moment Buffalo will experience a total solar eclipse, and it’s selling as fast as a typical seasonal beer double.

Jeff Ware, the brewery’s president, said the company will also host an “eclipse bash” that is expected to attract thousands of people. One of the guests will be local weatherman Andy Parker, who will lead a discussion about the eclipse.

This rare occurrence has also led to some not-so-pleasant incidents. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz is considering ordering businesses to close during the eclipse, citing traffic concerns. Even though a budget deal is days late, state lawmakers are demanding a day off. Six inmates are suing after 23 upstate prisons announced plans to lock incarcerated people in their cells during a solar eclipse, which they believe has religious significance.

Amid the chaos, the only certainty is that no one wants to miss out. Here are some select events to watch the solar eclipse:

NASA at Niagara Falls

There’s no party quite like the one at NASA – well, at least not one that celebrates a solar eclipse. NASA will take over Niagara Falls State Park – “see you on the dark side of the moon,” the park’s website says in reference to Pink Floyd – until Monday. It will offer a range of star-related activities, including programs led by astronauts and scientists, space-themed musical performances and planetarium shows.Attendees can also watch a fireworks show hosted by Rochester grocery chain Wegmans at 8:30 p.m.

Lake Erie Wine Country

Apparently, this celestial event paired perfectly with a glass of wine. Lake Erie Wine Country, a group of 21 wineries along the Great Lakes, is hosting four days of food and wine tastings, culminating in a ticket-holder-only viewing of the spectacle activity. The wine region stretches 50 miles (80 kilometers) and has nearly 30,000 acres of vineyards along Lake Erie.

Syracuse Mets

Baseball fans can watch something other than their favorite players during the first-ever Total Eclipse in the Park show at NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse. Gates will open at 2 p.m. and the first 10,000 people through the gates will receive free eclipse glasses. After the game, fans can stay and watch the Syracuse Mets take on the Worcester Red Sox.

vintage train

About an hour from Rochester, the A&A Railroad offers a unique train ride that’s sure to feel as magical as riding the Polar Express. This rare Second World War diesel train will depart from Arcade Depot at 2pm and make its way slowly to Curriers Station, in time to view the panoramic views. Passengers are asked to bring lawn chairs and blankets for comfortable viewing.

Adirondack Hiking

Ausable Chasm, the “Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks,” features five miles of winding hiking trails that offer views of roaring waterfalls and sandstone canyons. The hiking site is located right in the middle of the path of totality and will provide a “solar apartment” viewing area for those who want to witness the event in nature. Admission fee of $19.95 includes parking, use of facilities, snacks and viewing glasses.

Skydive over Niagara Falls

If jumping into pitch black midday doesn’t sound thrilling enough, Skydive the Falls offers adrenaline junkies the chance to leap from high altitudes. The Tandem Skydiving Center offers a “full jump” experience from the highest altitude in Western New York (up to 13,500 feet), timed just in time for the moment the world goes dark.