Sunshine broke through the clouds just in time Monday to allow area residents a chance to enjoy the solar eclipse. Vermilion County Conservation District Director Ken Konsis estimated at least 300 people turned out for a viewing party at Kennekuk County Park.Lynn Boys of Danville was among those watching the eclipse outside the Kennekuk County Park Environmental Education Center. ‘’There’s a little chunk going out of it now. What amazes me is how dark these glasses are, and that the sun – when you look at it with the glasses – looks like a lemon up there. And then can see the black starting to move in. It’s starting to be really neat,’’ added Boys.
Conservation District Director Ken Konsis said the viewing party gave the public an opportunity to see the Environmental Education Center. ‘’We’re done with phase one and hopefully we get going on getting some more power in here so we can start phase two. So, looking forward to that,’’ said Konsis. ‘’Kickapoo Rail Trail – looking forward to that. There’s a lot of projects going on.’’
[The girl with the viewing box is 8-year-old Silva Carlson of Frederick, Maryland. She was visiting relatives in Danville who decided to take her to the solar event.]
At the maximum point of the eclipse in our area there was still 7-percent of the sun showing. And although it did not get as dark as some people expected, it did cause some crickets at Kennekuk Park to begin their usual evening chirping routine.
[If you look closely at this blanket at Kennekuk County Park you can view hundreds of images of the sun’s reflection during the eclipse.]
