HALDIMAND—Thousands of residents were ready and waiting to watch a once-in-a-lifteime phenomenon as Haldimand plunged into darkness from approximately 3:17 to 3:25 p.m. (depending on where you viewed it) on Monday, April 8, 2024. The moment of totality drew cheers from crowds gathered throughout the county at venues including Cayuga’s Toronto Motorsports Park, the Dunnville airport, and Hagersville’s Haldimand Abilities Centre as spectators looked to the sky (eclipse glasses on, of course) in wonder at a sight that will not grace our local skies again until 2099. — Featured photo courtesy of Ann Culp Photography.
The 2024 total solar eclipse as seen across Haldimand
DUNNVILLE
DUNNVILLE—The two photos above depict the view of “History’s Witness”, a historic tree at Dunnville’s Thompson Creek Park, during the eclipse. They were taken just moments apart by Press Co-publisher Kaitlyn Clark. The photos showcase the dramatic effect of the totality, with Clark noting the loud trilling of a nearby group of chorus frogs went completely silent just before totality. Other unfamiliar sights throughout Haldimand included streetlights turning on midday.
DUNNVILLE—Ruby Szabo got this shot as Lake Erie took with colours of sunset, despite the sun remaining high up in the sky.
CAYUGA
CAYUGA—Cayuga resident and Haldimand Photography Club member Shelley Hamilton captured this wonderfully moody shot of the eclipse as the moon covered the majority of the sun, giving off a crescent moon appearance.
HAGERSVILLE
HAGERSVILLE—Participants at the Haldimand Abilities Centre were given free glasses and eclipse-themed treats to enjoy as part of their eclipse event. “We are so lucky we got clear skies,” said HAC Team Lead Lyndi Doherty. “We try to provide programming for people with low or impaired vision, as well as people with acquired brain injuries…. We wanted to make sure that our clients had a safe opportunity to watch the eclipse.” Participant Elaine McGeachie added, “I think this is just great. It’s so much better watching it with these people than being at home.” —Haldimand Press photo by Mike Renzella.
