BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – It was a thrilling day as the 2024 total solar eclipse passed over Vermont, New York, and New Hampshire.
Tens of thousands of people flocked to the area to see the incredibly rare sight.
For most people in the Green Mountain State, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but for some like 101-year-old Janet Lucas who’s lived in St. Johnsbury her whole life, eclipses are a little bit more of a familiar sight.
“I was nine years old and we did not have glasses in those days or anything, but we had pieces of glass that were blackened. And we use those to keep our eyes safe from the sun,” said Lucas.
The last total solar eclipse in Vermont was in 1932, and that’s the one Janet saw. The next one won’t be until 2399. She says April 8th’s eclipse is something nobody will forget.
“I thought it was the greatest thing ever saw. It was just fantastic. What really amazes me is the crowd that came out for this. This has to be something that’s going to be in their minds for the rest of their life,” said Lucas.
It was an almost perfect clear day in our region, terrific conditions for the tens of thousands of people who came out in droves to watch the sun disappear.
“It’s such a small probability for in your lifetime to have a solar eclipse and be in the path of totality,” said Shelburne resident Krista Reincke.
“When it exploded with a corona it was dark and then boom there it was,” said South Burlington resident Mark Keydel.
“Its a once in a lifetime event that we got to experience together. You know, just making memories with the kids and having a great time and just living it,” said Rebecca Stewart, who came from South Windsor, Connecticut.
The partial eclipse started at about 2:15 p.m.. the moon inched across the sun, eventually blocking its view, reaching totality at 3:26.
“Now I see why people travel hundreds and thousands of miles to watch this, I would probably do that as a tourist myself,” said Keydel.
A deluge of eclipse viewers hit the shores of Lake Champlain and beyond to take in the spectacular sight
“You took it off and it was like this whole other site, which was totally wild, and it was so cool watching the lighting change especially over the lake. That was super special to have this amazing view in the background of that, so yeah, super grateful to have been here for this,” said Burlington resident Julie DeGuardi.
Hundreds if not thousands of people gathered on the statehouse lawn to see the golden dome go dark. Montpelier police expected up to 20,000 people, potentially surpassing the record set in 2017 during the women’s march.
“I feel lucky to be here, lucky to have the chance to be a part of this, and pretty lucky to see something spectacular,” said Greg Rideout from Raleigh, North Carolina.
In St. Albans, they took advantage of the nice weather with a big party in the downtown. Thousands traveling to Franklin County to see totality in Taylor Park.
“It was awesome being able to live right down the street and be able to walk out or was pretty cool to see all the traffic and everyone around, nice to see the community come together,” said St. Albans resident Arene Tucker.
“It was just awesome. To be here with so many good people. And to experience this event together. It was it was a really lovely day. I’m so glad to spend this special moment with 1000s of people here,” said Mary Regan of Boston.