'It was pretty cool:' People attending Trumpet eclipse viewing party enjoyed the show

Jon Baker, The Times-Reporter
Updated ·4 min read

NEW PHILADELPHIA ‒ For a few short minutes Monday afternoon, an eerie twilight descended on Tuscarawas County as Ohio experienced its first total solar eclipse since 1806.

At a viewing party at the Trumpet in the Land amphitheater in New Philadelphia, the breeze became cooler, the birds began to sing and the beacon for Harry Clever Field became visible.

Visitors began arriving at the amphitheater shortly before 1 p.m. The weather was perfect for viewing the eclipse. A few wispy white clouds hung high in the sky. Visitors — estimated at around 140, ranging in age from youngsters to senior citizens — set up chairs on the broad lawn above the amphitheater. There was a festive air, as children played ball, and another flew a kite. Music appropriate for viewing an eclipse played from a speaker, "Bad Moon Rising" by Creedence Clearwater Revival, "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler and "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers.

The moon is seen eclipsing the sun at 2:27 p.m., EDT, during a watch party for the 2024 solar eclipse held at Trumpet in the Land, the site of Ohio’s official state play, Monday, April 8, in New Philadelphia. While New Philadelphia was not in the path of totality, viewers experienced 99.32% obscuration of the sun at 3:15 p.m., EDT.
The moon is seen eclipsing the sun at 2:27 p.m., EDT, during a watch party for the 2024 solar eclipse held at Trumpet in the Land, the site of Ohio’s official state play, Monday, April 8, in New Philadelphia. While New Philadelphia was not in the path of totality, viewers experienced 99.32% obscuration of the sun at 3:15 p.m., EDT.

The eclipse peaked in the New Philadelphia area at 3:15 p.m., but it wasn't completely dark because the moon only covered 99% of the sun. The small sliver of the sun remaining was enough to provide some light.

Reaction from visitors

Among those who came to the amphitheater were Erin VanFossen of New Philadelphia and Connie Campbell of Mineral City. They had planned on having their own eclipse party, but VanFossen didn't have the necessary glasses to watch the eclipse safely. Campbell contacted the New Philadelphia branch of the Tuscarawas County Public Library to get glasses, but the library was out. They were directly to go to Trumpet in the Land.

Paul Yee, from Brooklyn, takes in the 2024 solar eclipse during a watch party held at Trumpet in the Land, the site of Ohio’s official state play, Monday, April 8, in New Philadelphia. While New Philadelphia was not in the path of totality, viewers experienced 99.32% obscuration of the sun at 3:15 p.m., EDT.
Paul Yee, from Brooklyn, takes in the 2024 solar eclipse during a watch party held at Trumpet in the Land, the site of Ohio’s official state play, Monday, April 8, in New Philadelphia. While New Philadelphia was not in the path of totality, viewers experienced 99.32% obscuration of the sun at 3:15 p.m., EDT.

"I thought it was pretty cool, and it got colder, like they said it would," Van Fossen said of the eclipse. "It didn't tone down the sun much, because that little sliver made a lot of light."

Kevin Petitte of New Philadelphia came to the amphitheater to photograph the eclipse. He said he had never photographed an eclipse before. "This is my very first one, and probably my last one."

He had three places he originally planned on going to to take pictures. The first one was Mitchell, Ind., home of astronaut Gus Grissom, but he heard it was cloudy there. Then he considered the Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio. The museum curator told Petitte that they were expecting 30,000 visitors to the city. So, he dropped that. He finally considered Cleveland, but the expected traffic put him off.

"The next best thing is to stay home, in your own back yard," he said. "It's quite exciting, and where do you take a picture but in your own backyard?"

'I thought it was really cool'

Justin Walker of Cuyahoga Falls waves at the sun and moon during a watch party for the 2024 solar eclipse at Trumpet in the Land Monday, in New Philadelphia. Walker said he came to New Philadelphia to get away from a lot of people.
Justin Walker of Cuyahoga Falls waves at the sun and moon during a watch party for the 2024 solar eclipse at Trumpet in the Land Monday, in New Philadelphia. Walker said he came to New Philadelphia to get away from a lot of people.

Justin Walker of Cuyahoga Falls brought his family to Trumpet in the Land to view the eclipse. "We were looking more for the atmosphere, the playtime before, and this would be a place we knew we could get away with it."

He came with his girlfriend Lantry Shaffer and sons, Michael, 5, and Chase, 11.

"I enjoyed the atmosphere and everything it was about, but I guess I needed to be a little more north for the total blackout," Walker said. "I wasn't prepared that it wasn't going to be full darkness, but I was cool with it all."

His son Chase added, "I thought it was really cool. I haven't experienced one of those before."

This composite image of 13 photographs shows the progression of the solar eclipse over 2 hours and 28 minutes during a watch party for the 2024 total solar eclipse held at Trumpet in the Land, the site of Ohio's official state play, Monday, April 8, in New Philadelphia. While New Philadelphia was not in the path of totality, viewers experienced 99.32% obscuration of the sun at 3:15 p.m., EDT.

Exceeding expectations

General Manager Margaret Bonamico was pleased with the attendance. A total of 61 people had made reservations for the event, but the attendance exceeded expectations. She ran out of eclipse glasses before the event began.

"It's not huge, like some of the big cities up north," she said. "But actually, I thought if I got 20 people I'd be happy."

Good for business

The eclipse provided a boost to Tuscarawas County businesses. "Northern hotels are doing well (Monday night) and (Sunday night). Some even offered free glasses for customers," said Dee Grossman, executive director of the Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Ryann Wells, owner of Riverside Hideout Airbnb in Fairfield Township, said all six of her units were booked because of the eclipse, with visitors from five different states ‒ Virginia, Michigan, Georgia, Minnesota and Illinois.

Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: People at eclipse viewing party enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experience