Big turnout at eclipse viewing festival in Kentucky
Paducah, Ky. (KBSI) – Parts of 15 different states were in the path of totality of the today, Monday April 8, 2024.
The X marks the spot viewing festival in Paducah, Kentucky thousands of people experienced total totality, it was almost like the whole city went completely quiet for a minute.
It was pretty cool alot of the other affects from the eclipse like all the shadows and all the glares on the ground were really neat, said a vendor at the festival.
Alex Senig is a local from Paducah . He was running a booth that sold eclipse magnets and ornaments to help raise money to send area 4-h rocket club students to Washington DC to compete.
Many hotels in the area are sold out, the festival was packed with people and many vendors were Saling out, including Senig.
“Weve been really busy here today. We pretty much sold out of everything that we brough so it’s been a good day,” says Senig.
The festival started on Sunday April 7, and ran through Monday April, 8 204.
Thousands of people came from all over parts of the United States to experience the festival and view the eclipse.
Dr. Orna Kretchmer, and her partner traveled all the way from San Franciso, California.
Shes the CEO of a nonprofit organization called young steamers that brings science enrichment classes to children in low income households.
“Its a very unique event and I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a total eclipse, so totality is something that is rare and we are very excited to be here.”
According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet about one million people are estimated to travel through Kentucky to view the eclipse. Bringing a big economic boost to the state. People traveled by both car and plane to have the once in a lifetime experience.
“So we took a red eye flight yesterday from San Francisco to Nashville we spent the day in Nashville, and we left really early this morning. We thought roads would be packed but it was a breeze,” says Kretchmer.
Roads were definitely not clear after the eclipse. Many areas experienced traffic delays and it’s estimated that this could be the biggest travel day in northeast this year.
