Clusters of people dotted McLane Park Monday to view the 2017 solar eclipse as it passed over Poplar Bluff, Mo.
About 100 people, some from as far away as Texas, Ohio and Arkansas, joined the "Solar Eclipse Party," sponsored by the Missouri Association of Family and Community Education (FCE) and Poplar Bluff Park and Recreation Department. Free glasses, as well as water and cookies, were available for the attendees.
With a blanket spread out under a group of big trees, Rossalyn Rupe and Cecilia Tolbert periodically stepped from the shade to don their glasses, as well as use their cellphones and digital cameras to take photographs as the moon continued in its path in front of the sun.
The Canton, Ohio, residents arrived in Poplar Bluff Monday via Memphis, Tenn.
Tolbert said she and Rupe "pretty much came for the eclipse," but since her sister lived in the area, they decided to first visit her at Memphis.
"Since Memphis wasn't the line of totality," Tolbert said, they decided to drive elsewhere.
According to Tolbert, they originally planned to go to Clarksville, Tenn., but it was a four-hour drive from Memphis.
"We wanted to avoid the crowds," added Rupe, who indicated Poplar Bluff was only a two-hour drive.
"It was definitely worth the drive," Rupe said.
Tolbert agreed, as did Luke Leal and his mother, Lisa Leal.
The Leals left Houston, Texas, Sunday and arrived in Poplar Bluff Monday after having spent the night in Little Rock, Ark.
What Luke Leal described as a "short drive," they "found this little park" and set up their lawn chairs underneath a tree to wait for the eclipse to begin.
"He's never seen a total eclipse; neither have I," said Lisa Leal.
The younger Leal said the eclipse should be "interesting to see happen."
Although the Leals had considering driving to St. Louis, Mo., "I heard about this town. I know the name; that's where we'll go," Luke Leal said.
Although it was a 12-hour drive, Luke Leal described it as a nice drive, with different places to see along the way.
"This is a nice park for viewing it," Lisa Leal said. "It's open and lots of trees; this is a good spot."
Jeffrey Poirier, who frequently walks at McLane Park, agreed.
"I happened to notice the sign and thought this would be a good place to watch ... to enjoy it," said the Poplar Bluff man.
Poirier described the eclipse as "really interesting" and a "good lesson for everyone to see.
"I like it since it's a once-in-a-lifetime thing. For the kids, they'll remember this for the rest of their lives."
Among the children sharing the experience were 7-year-old Austin McGowan and his brother, Ezra McGowan, 5, who were accompanied by their "grammy," Jeanne Payne of Poplar Bluff.
Payne said she was notified by FCE about the event and wanted her grandsons to "experience this."
Describing it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Payne said, she feels it is important to "show them this. This is science in action.
"We really need to experience it. To me, it's important for the kids to experience it."
Cheryl Wood also thought it was a good thing for her and her mother, Marlene Brooks, to experience.
"I drug her out here," said Wood, a resident of Poplar Bluff. "We actually cancelled a dentist appointment.
"You can always get your tooth pulled later."
Brooks agreed.
"It's great," she said.
Having the chance to see the eclipse, Wood said, is awesome.
"Not too many people have seen it," Wood said. "We'll never see it again; maybe our kids, but not us."
Helen Edwards of Poplar Bluff brought her 4-year-old son, Noah Vic, out to the park so they could share the experience.
"We saw it online and decided to come check it out," said Edwards, who spent time kneeling in the grass as she and her son looked up at the eclipse.
Edwards had used a paper plate to fashion a mask for her son's protective glasses and was "trying to keep it on him. ... We don't want this to mess (his) eyes up."
Edwards described the event as being nice.
"He (initially) didn't understand; when he seen everyone looking, I think he understood more" about "keeping (the glasses) on," Edwards said.
In the minutes leading up to what would be a partial eclipse, most of those attending would don their glasses and step out of a peek.
Once the sky grew darker and then lighten as the moon continued on its path, most began packing up their chairs and heading to the parking lot, but not the Leals. They continued to watch.
"It's was pretty nice to see the moon shadow the sun," Luke Leal said.
His mother agreed.
"I've never seen the sun being a crescent before, and I'm old," said Lisa Leal, who took a day off work to drive to Missouri with her son.
The woman said they also noticed the temperature drop as the eclipse progressed.
Having been wearing his sunglasses initially, Luke Leal said, he didn't notice it was darker until he "took off my sunglasses."
Like her son, Lisa Leal, still was wearing her protective eye wear and staring at the sky as she said: "we are glad we came."