BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- Despite months of planning and marketing, village officials say the anticipated numbers for the total solar eclipse were lower than expected.

Jason Hendricks of H3 Designs, who works as a marketing manager with the town, said numbers at the airport were lower than anticipated.

"We hosted the event at the Massena Airport, which was kind of fascinating. Obviously we didn't get the numbers we were hoping for. A lot other that we knew would be weather based. I mean, it was snowing three or four days before that last week," he told board members.

Hendricks said "going through all four seasons" prior to the eclipse likely played a role in tourism figures being down at the airport.

"That was a good time. We had planes come in from Syracuse, New Jersey, New York City, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire. We were able to talk to them and they engaged the crowd. We talked to them and invited them back and let them know we have a great, free beach event here August 3. Hopefully they'll come back," he said.

Hendricks said despite the lower than anticipated numbers, the event was a once in a lifetime moment not to miss.

"It was neat to watch it all play out," he said.

Hendricks said numbers doubled with one larger aircraft flying to the airport.

"They had 45, maybe 50 people on that one plane alone," he said.

Hendricks said the flight prompted calls to the airport due to the size of the aircraft.

"Everything was good to go though, it all went smooth," he said.

When the aircraft landed, Hendricks joked that organizers thought Taylor Swift had landed. 

 “We felt like Taylor Swift was there or something. So we sent a couple of ambassadors over to greet them because they were kind of away a little bit off. They had these chairs, brand new folding chairs that they used. They donated them to the airport because they didn’t want to bring them back with them. It was a pretty large jet. I mean, it was a good sized aircraft,” Hendricks said. 

In other news, Hendricks said preparations are well underway for the "Rockin' the River" event to be held Aug. 3 at the Massena Town Beach.

According to Hendricks, "many of the pieces are in place" for the event, including for vendors.

"We are going to have everything going out soon, vendor applications and all that stuff. That stuff will be coming out next week. I'll be helping out where I can with the municipal stuff," he said.

"Rockin' the River" is slated to take place Aug. 3 with county music artist Brett Westgrove headlining the event.