iN PHOTOS: Solar eclipse draws huge crowd in Vernon

VERNON – Whether they were watching through pinhole projectors, telescopes or filtered glasses, people in the North Okanagan didn’t miss out on Monday’s, Aug. 21, partial solar eclipse.

Hundreds turned out at the Okanagan Science Centre and Polson Park to watch the moon block out the sun.

While the Science Centre ran out of eclipse glasses, no one went without a glimpse at the sun.

“Everybody is sharing their pin box viewers, sharing their glasses. Everyone is pitching in,” Jay Kohlman, who attended with his wife Sarah and their son Porter said.

The last solar eclipse that was visible from the Okanagan was in 1979.

“It doesn’t happen very often, that’s for sure,” Deb Gerhardt said.

She brought her granddaughters, Kayla and Ava, to witness the rare event.

Chris Johnson, visiting from Ontario, made a mad dash to the grocery store after learning the science centre was out of glasses. With an emptied cereal box, some tape and tinfoil, he was able to whip up a pretty decent viewer — and he didn’t waste the cereal either.

“That’ll be the snack for while we’re waiting,” he said.

Friends Annette Toop, Anne Collinson and Sherri Field showed great enthusiasm for the spectacle, which had a gradual darkening and cooling effect over the area.

“It’s very different seeing it in person than on the T.V.,” Toop, a high school science teacher said. “It’s extremely interesting. I wish all my students were here with me today.”

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