Eclipse coverage in Warren, Niles, Lordstown and Youngstown, Ohio

The video above is WKBN’s live coverage of the eclipse as it happened.

WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) – Parts of Trumbull and Mercer Counties were in the path of totality as the solar eclipse took place Monday afternoon.

WKBN had reporters around the area at a series of local events to celebrate the occasion. You can watch the coverage video above.

Check out the photo gallery below:

One of those viewing events was at Warren G. Harding’s Mollenkopf Stadium on Elm Street. The organizers had planned it for a year. There were 12 activity stations where those young or old could learn more about the science behind Monday’s experience.

“The more we thought about it, and the more we researched and read, we thought, ‘Wow, this could be really big,'” said Kim Garrett, deputy director of the Warren Trumbull County Public Library. “That’s the goal of having it, is that not only do we come together as a community, but we learn — and that’s always our goal at the library.”

People from near and far traveled to the area to see it. There were license plate numbers from Maryland, New Jersey, and even as far away as Alaska.

Three generations of family members drove in from North Carolina. One of the family members is a native of Alaska.

“It was amazing when the total happened, and you take off your glasses and just see the glitter, just the surprise, and then you hear everyone. We’re all just together to celebrate something beautiful in nature,” said Heather Riley.

“Like it became completely overshadowed – you know, the prospect – and that made you panic,” Teresa Vukelic said.

Sam Riley already has a relationship with the sky. His father is training to fly C130s in Georgia, and Sam said he wants to be an astronaut when he grows up.

“Because it sounds so cool — to be in orbit and to be, like, floating around,” he said.

Kevin Kluznik, from South Africa, and Eshaan Joshi, from Tucson, Arizona, drove in from Pittsburgh, where they go to school.

“I thought it was amazing. The total is beautiful. I’ve never seen an eclipse, not even a partial one. So that was amazing. It’s a great experience,” said Kluznik.

“We know how it works. We know the physics; we can do the math, but we live on a planet where some days the moon can just go in front of the sun and block it in its entirety. And that’s amazing… I feel blessed to be here,” Joshi he said.

WKBN was also at Foxconn in Lordstown, the parking lot was crowded with people gathering to watch the eclipse.

Youngstown State University’s Ward Beecher Planetarium set up a few telescopes to show people the eclipse using special filters.

“We have special filters that cut out 99.9% of the light, so basically, they work like telescopes. We can see some of the sun’s clusters and get close to the sun when the moon’s shadow starts,” said Curt Spivey, an engineer at Ward Beecher Planetarium.

“I am very happy. I hope I can bring joy to these young children and I hope to get them to study astronomy as well. I love how there is an endless amount of knowledge about space, and I love to learn, and I will always learn new things,” said YSU astronomy student Jordyn Juillerat.

“I have been excited since I found out that we are on our way. I called my sister and my brother and told them they’re going to have to come and let’s go,” said Lucy Moreland-Smith, of Youngstown.

Local educators, including Spivey and Dr. Patrick Durrell, have taught about solar eclipses but have never seen a total eclipse in person before.

“Oh my god! I’m so happy,” Spivey said.

“After teaching about solar eclipses for decades, this is my first time. I’m excited. This is my first opportunity to see a total solar eclipse,” Durrell said.

For Susan Tabeak, of Boardman, the event had a touch of sentimental value.

“My father was working in our planetarium before he passed away 10 years ago,” Tabeak said. “If he was alive right now, he would be leading this.”

A viewing party was also held at the Eastwood Mall in Niles, where thousands of people gathered to watch the eclipse. Dressed in shirts to commemorate the occasion, the crowd cheered in awe of the sky as the eclipse reached totality.

Tina Belmaggio, from North Carolina, planned a trip to visit her parents around the space event.

“This was a great weekend to do it. I saw the last eclipse in the Carolinas in 2017; it was beautiful,” Belgaggio said.

“It’s something special to see. This might be my last one,” said Don Keck, of Youngstown. “I saw one once … in the 70s, so it was cool, but now I’m getting too old to see it again.”

“It is a normal thing. It’s just something to see,” said Cynthia Tabor, of Niles. “I won’t be here in 2044 I know, and it’s something to see.”

The area began to see a partial eclipse around 2 p.m. Total occurred around 3:15, and the total eclipse occurred around 4:30 pm.

The general route passed over 13 states throughout the afternoon.

A total solar eclipse has not crossed this area since 1806, and it won’t happen again until 2099.