Eclipse dazzles shoreline viewers from Colchester to Erieau

The world came to a standstill briefly on Monday, April 8, as the highly anticipated total solar eclipse made its way through the Sun Parlour.

With Point Pelee National Park overflowing with visitors from all over North America, other popular spots in the area took on new life as spectators filled up the beaches, roadways and parking lots along the Lake Erie shoreline to get a protected glimpse of one of Mother Nature’s biggest wonders.

Pelee Island had a sold-out special sailing of the Pelee Islander II arrive just in time to see the event.

Visitors began arriving at Leamington’s waterfront early in the morning — some as early at 7 am — to get their spot along Seacliff Beach or the Leamington Marina.

By mid-afternoon, both locales were abuzz with activity — some played volleyball, some played tunes and others took to the water in kayaks along the beach.

By dinner time, it was all over and the world went back to its everyday normal activities.

Grovedale Arts and Culture Centre in Kingsville — along with Mettawas Park — provided a unique perspective for a rare celestial phenomenon and drew a large crowd to witness a total solar eclipse. 

Karen Loney, Kingsville’s Manager of Recreation Programs and Special Events, did an informal survey of those in attendance and found that many viewers of the eclipse ventured in from out of town, including visitors from the northern part of the county, Michigan, Sudbury and Miami.

Prior to totality, a free event put on by the Town of Kingsville was held at the Grovedale that included crafts, construction of bird feeders and a story hour for the youngsters upstairs, along with live music from the Dan Woods trio on the ground floor. 

The Mettawas Park hill was also a hub of activity for a dozen artists that worked their magic in a friendly en plein air competition.