Hundreds gathered in the parking lot of Lordstown’s Foxconn and Youngstown State University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy Monday for a Total Solar Eclipse event, which included an opportunity from astronomers during the festivities.

At 1:00, the gates were opened in Lordstown to prepare for this moment. People started pouring in, with lawn chairs and special shades, ready to go.

YSU’s astronomy department, the Ward Beecher Planetarium, hosted an observatory party and YSU experts said they’ve waited their whole lives to see this.

“I have been teaching about eclipses for over 30 years,” Dr. Patrick Durrel, Director of YSU’s astronomy department said, “I’ve seen a partial eclipse, I’ve never seen a total eclipse myself.”

By 2 o’clock, the parking lot was full of excitement. Families and children gathered, and many waited in long lines to view the sun through telescopes provided by YSU.

Foxconn’s large parking lot left plenty of room for people to set up, eat snacks, relax and enjoy the view, while astronomers made announcements over loudspeakers to inform the crowd of each step during the eclipse until the total activity, which lasted about a minute. one. and 30 seconds.

Hopes were high for those in attendance, counting on clear skies, and the Total Solar Eclipse did not disappoint.

Some people even traveled from Texas and Maryland to experience the Mahoning Valley.

As soon as the clock struck 3:16, people clapped, cheered and enjoyed the moment in general.

“It was amazing,” said Karen Day of Berlin Center, watching with her husband, “I mean how amazing it was.”