Solar eclipse brings excitement to downtown Ashland

Austin Johnson, The Daily Independent, Ashland, Ky.
Updated ·3 min read

Apr. 9—ASHLAND "There it is!"

"Wow!"

"Amazing!"

Those are a few words heard amongst hundreds viewing the near-total solar eclipse Monday in downtown Ashland.

A solar eclipse occurred for northeastern Kentuckians in the afternoon, bringing an abundance of joy to many. Becky Meade was at Broadway Square with two friends, Jill McGlone and Jan Ratliff, sitting on a bench as they waited alongside dozens of others.

Meade offered her perspective.

"It's something I am probably not ever going to see again, not like this anyway. We bought our eclipse glasses and we were prepared," Meade said. "It's a phenomenon that you don't see. It's historical. Science is important."

When getting word the county library had its hands in the planning of the event, the three made a unanimous decision to stay local instead of traveling elsewhere, she said.

"We try to do as much as we can for the Boyd County Library. When we saw they were involved in planning, we decided that's where we are going," Meade said.

The moon began "eating into the sun" at 1:59 p.m. From there, hundreds of people appeared throughout the afternoon. Some brought blankets, while others crowded on the steps of First Presbyterian Church and benches in Broadway Square.

As the event progressed, "Pocketful of Sunshine" by Natasha Bedingfield and other sun-themed songs sounded through the area, Sun Chips were handed to people gathered for the viewing and telescopes were set up to track the eclipse.

Missy Carter was at home in 2017, when the last solar eclipse came upon the region. She said this year's eclipse prompted her to bring her granddaughters Ellie and Eva Tucker to Broadway Square to serve as an educational time.

"I wanted it to be a learning, once-in-a-lifetime experience for them," she said. "I brought them down to experience it; that's my main reason for coming down here, they are having a great time.

"It's awesome. It shows you the magnificent power out there; it's just awesome," Carter said as she waited for the projected 95% coverage area, just shy from totality.

Ellie, who is 7 years old, spent time researching about the eclipse and, since looking into it, a sense of passion or love has formed for science.

"The other night I was looking up on Google about everything on a solar eclipse, how long you should keep on your glasses, how it was made, why it happens," she said.

"I am really excited and I just can't wait to see it," Eva added.

Although Ashland was not in the path of totality, many were still excited about witnessing history. As the eclipse peaked over northeastern Kentucky, some pointed, and many smilies filled the area.

Trent Cornett, 6, was ecstatic to see his first eclipse. He was there with some family members.

"I see the eclipse going on," Trent said. "I never saw one before. I didn't know until my grandmother told me it was going to happen."

Phyre Shearee, 42, of Ashland was looking into the sky and described what she was seeing as a "crescent moon" that was "bright orange" with lots of "shadows." She spent an abundance of time looking into the telescope erected on a table, as she was fascinated with the "once-in-a-lifetime" experience.