Dunkirk’s waterfront was drippy, dreary and deserted Wednesday morning — a stark contrast with what it will be Monday for “Eclipse Day.” City officials described plans Tuesday for the expected throngs of people.

Speaking at a Common Council meeting, Mayor Kate Wdowiasz stated the pier will close Sunday evening to all vehicles. The short section of Central Avenue between Lake Shore Drive and the pier entrance will be closed Monday, April 8 from noon to 6 p.m.

“That also goes for any boats that wish to be out on the water,” the mayor said. “They need to be out on the water before noon (on Monday)… they will not be allowed to come out of the water until approximately 6 p.m. that night.”

Wdowiasz also noted that the city recycling pickup service will be suspended for the day; it is normally scheduled for every other Monday.

Councilmember Natalie Luczkowiak asked about parking in conjunction with the eclipse. “We will do the best we can,” replied Police Chief David Ortolano. “I don’t want people leaving our community with a $20 parking ticket. But we’ll monitor it, and if they are in the way of access to emergency vehicles, or block a road, we will take appropriate action. I will advise shift supervisors to relax parking (rules) as much as they can.”

Wdowiasz told the OBSERVER Wednesday morning that Ortolano does want to discourage parking on First Ward side streets near the waterfront.

The mayor sought to quash a rumor that the city is charging admission to its parks for the eclipse. She said admission will be free, as always. Wdowiasz did ask that park visitors not park on the grass.

The city will hold its “Eclipse Fest” in conjunction with the Clarion Hotel and Steelbound from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. There are other events planned along Dunkirk’s waterfront as well.

The Dunkirk Lighthouse and Museum at Point Gratiot is opening the grounds to eclipse viewers Monday. According to its website, it will cost $50 for vehicles of four people to get in and $10 for everyone else. For more information and for reservations, call the lighthouse office at 366-5050.

“We’re getting close to being full,” said Dave Briska of the lighthouse on Wednesday morning. The lighthouse grounds have room for 50 vehicles and 40 spots are already taken. So far, they expect more than 100 people to show up.

The lighthouse and its grounds will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday.

The Dunkirk Camp and Conference Center, on Route 5 just east of city limits, has a sold-out viewing party planned for Monday on its grounds.

The weather is expected to improve for eclipse viewers.

Cool, stormy weather with snow likely will give way to clearer skies and warmer temperatures by Monday, according to the National Weather Service forecast for Dunkirk on Wednesday morning,

Monday’s forecast was for partly sunny skies and a high near 59.