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Reflecting on the Eclipse one week later and I am still in awe of the spectacle we witnessed. The weather provided the perfect day, and Riddle Point Park was filled with over 600 visitors who had traveled as far as Washington, New York, and Florida for the Eclipse. Campers once again filled Riddle Point for the first time in well over two decades. Sunday night campers assisted the Indiana Limestone Symposium in the creation of Sun Moon Earth Memory, an eclipse memorial that will be placed in Riddle Point Park to commemorate the event. Entertainment was provided by a line up of three bands, along with food and drinks provided by local businesses. Monday morning crafts were held in the shelter house, where participants made pin hole viewers, eclipse glasses masks, and enjoyed scavenger hunts around the park.
The Cincinnati Astronomical Society was in attendance with several telescopes set up for the public to view solar prominence’s, sunspots, and watch up close at the moon began its traverse over the sun. Our dedicated astrophotography zone was well appreciated by the seasoned “Eclipse Chasers”, where telescopes and camera equipment could be set up without the fear of someone wandering through the field of view. With so much going on it was amazing to see how quickly everything came to a halt at 3:04pm as the sun was eclipsed and the skies went dark. For those four minutes it was as if the world was on pause, and WOW, was it a sight to behold. Given the nature of the event LLCD Staff was unsure of what to expect from a crowd and logistical standpoint. Our goal from the onset was to plan for the worst and expect the best. Overall things went just about as smoothly as we could have asked for and our initial feedback been extremely positive.
The event was truly a Lake Lemon Community production which could not have been possible without the extreme generosity of freeholders of the Conservancy District. We would like to specifically thank Boyd Sturdevant (Freeholder) for the creation of the monument, along with Gerald Sowders (Freeholder) for assistance in placing the stone, additionally Scott Gainey and Michelle Lierl (Freeholder) were invaluable in coordinating with the Cincinnati Astronomical Society and general consultation on how eclipse event is typically held.
Overall, it was an incredibly successful event, introducing many new people to Lake Lemon and Riddle Point from across the Country. We hope you enjoyed the show!
Best,
Ross Carlson, LLCD Operations Manager
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