Eclipse Over Muncie: Kenmore + Gatewood Celebrates Together in the Park

Monday, April 8, 2024 9:03AM EST

Heavy traffic, bustling businesses, smiling people – something different was in the air in Muncie, Indiana. The combination of spring beginning to bloom and 4 minutes of afternoon darkness could change a town's mood! After hearing about the eclipse for the last year, it was finally about to happen; everyone was in town and ready to party.

The day, unlike a lot of other cities in the eclipse's path-of-totality, offered a spectacular display of what spring in Muncie can offer. With the sun shining, birds chirping, and lawns freshly cut, the Kenmore Neighborhood was the ideal place to take in the incoming afternoon shade. While normally a beautiful place to enjoy a sunny day, one could tell that Eclipse Monday was going to be special.

The idea to enjoy the eclipse at Guthrie had been posited at a KNA board meeting; gathering in the park, having some solar-themed snacks (Starburst, Sun Chips, Moon Pies...you get the idea), and taking in the celestial display. It was an easy idea to push through and secure funds for snacks, but there always seemed to be a question in the background of "how many people will show up?" A Facebook event was created, we had told our friends and family, but until the day came, it was hard to know where people would end up for an event like a solar eclipse, one that could be taken in almost anywhere with a view of the sky.

Monday, April 8, 2024 1:45PM EST

The 2.5 block walk to Guthrie Park from my home is a very familiar route for me, but the sight that greeted me upon arrival at the greenspace was something supremely unfamiliar - PEOPLE! If there are a family or two utilizing Guthrie, I would normally consider that busy, but the scene was very different on Eclipse Monday. As I reached the corner of Winthrop and North, I was greeted with the sight of at least 40 people, some I recognized and some I didn't. I was overcome with pride and happiness, as it was evident people would show up and a fabulous event would commence.

As time ticked on towards totality, the crowd swelled. With each additional piece of sun covered by the moon, more and more arrived. Kids with soccer balls, adults with professional camera equipment, babies with large hats - the neighborhood and their friends were out in full force. The closer the sun came to being fully covered, the more the excitement grew.

Monday April 8, 2024 3:07PM EST

As totality arrived and the eclipse glasses came off, the cheering commenced, the tears flowed, and the emotions overwhelmed. One does not know how they may react, but when the lights were turned out and the temperature dropped at least 10 degrees I was giddy with excitement. Local residents Killian and Ronan Craven said, when asked how the totality made them feel, "It felt cool (when the moon covered the sun), it was amazing and it was awesome." Ditto, kids.

Monday April 8, 2024 3:10PM EST

And just like that, everything went back to normal. Yes, there was still an hour or so until we could stare at the sun again, but the moment we had all been so excited for was finished. Something that sounds so simple - the sun being blocked by the moon - is anything but. The eclipse, in my opinion, lived up to the hype and the event we had been waiting for was spectacular.

But I can't help thinking about everything else the eclipse gave us:

A reason to enjoy a beautiful spring day in a lovely setting
A reason to see family and friends, some old and some new
A reason to gather in our neighborhood park for a few hours of community and fun

Why can't we have an eclipse every year?