LOWVILLE — More than 2,000 people congregated at the Lewis County Fairgrounds for Totality on the Tug Monday. The event hosted by the Lewis County Agricultural Society, Naturally Lewis County, the Lowville Free Library and William H. Bush Memorial Library in Martinsburg attracted people from the area as well as from out of state.
According to representatives of Naturally Lewis, people came from as far away as California, Spain and Korea as well as several east coast states. Kaylee Tabolt, economic and tourism development specialist, said they had 1,000 RSVPs on the event website and less than 100 were from local zip codes.
“It’s a great turnout,” she said prior to totality. “Businesses are benefitting. Most of the hotels and bed and breakfasts were booked out.”
Similar to Food Truck Fridays the organizers had a variety of food available from coffee to tacos, cheese curd to baked goods, along with lawn games.
The libraries and Cornel Cooperative Extension had crafts and activities for the children.
A group of family and friends came from Maryland, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania — many to view their second eclipse have seen the 2017 one in South Carolina.
Diane Clodfelter said they watched the 2017 event at a private home next to a cornfield. Camped out next to the fairground’s playground, she said it was nice to attend the community event.
“I’ll chase down the next one in 2044 if I’m able,” she said. “It’s a natural phenomenon, if you have the opportunity to see it you should.”
The group stayed at the Ridgeview in Lowville which Mrs. Clodfelter said was very friendly.
David Schulz, emeritus member of the fair board, was with the group in 2017 and invited them to the Lewis County event. He said it was great to have the event.
“Any time we promote the fairgrounds in any way it’s a good thing,” he said. “The fairgrounds is always open — the fields are used for games.”
The vibe at the fairgrounds was very casual and friendly. As the eclipse began, the temperatures dropped and unfortunately the cloud cover shifted. By the time of totality came, it was hard to see the eclipse but it still got dark and as it did people cheered, oohed and aahed. In the twilight, lights at the nearby school bus garage can on but the fairground lights were switched off. During the darkness people were amazed at the sights. As the sunlight returned many applauded.
Mike and Mary Johnson from Rhode Island said the trip was worthwhile despite the cloud cover.
“I missed the last one in 2017,” said Mr. Johnson, noting he had fomo — fear of missing out — and vowed to see it this time around. “We were going to go to Houston (Texas) but it was too expensive.”
With reports of possible traffic delays, they left home at 3:30 a.m. arriving at the fairgrounds at 8:30 a.m. with no problems.
Getting out of Lowville after the eclipse was another story. Traffic was backed up on North State Street so much that village police were stopping people from going up Bostwick Street until it cleared.
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