By Glenn Rolfe

LAUREL — A rather rare phenomenon caught the protected eye of the beholder Monday afternoon in Laurel.

Hundreds of people armed with free solar eclipse glasses provided by the Laurel Public Library experienced the solar eclipse, some from Market Street Park.

“I think it’s a once in a lifetime thing, and it’s pretty awesome,” said Laurel resident Jessie Bryan, who witnessed the event with children Blaize and Blake Bryan.

Payton LeCates was on hand with 2 1/2 -year-old son Calian LeCates.

“I like making memories with my little boy. The next one they said won’t be for 20 years, so he’ll be grown by then,” Ms. LeCates said. “So, even though he won’t remember it (2024), I wanted him to be able have the experience.”

Members of the Wright family – Hilary Wright and sons Rex and Reid Wright — brought blankets and snacks.

“It’s a big day. We’re very excited. I’ve never seen it, so I am excited to experience it with them. They love the sun,” said Ms. Wright.

The event at Market Street Park was sponsored by the Laurel Public Library, which had an inventory of 1,000 solar eclipse glasses free to eclipse viewers.

“We’ve had a lot of interest in it,” said Laurel Public Library Director Gail Bruce. “We’ve had calls all day. Our phones have been ringing off the hook, a lot last week, and especially today.”

Looking up in Middletown

A little after 3 p.m. at Silver Lake Park in Middletown, Maurine Wanjiru was looking upward with solar glasses while sitting on a bench.

Ms. Wanjiru said she arrived at the park around 2:30 and exercised until the eclipse began to emerge. The wait was worth it, she said.

“It’s just amazing to see the moon,” she said. “I started watching when it was partial and it covered the sun and it just seemed like a crescent.

“It’s exciting because I think when the next one comes I won’t be here.”

Also amazing, Ms. Wanjiru said, was that “all the teenagers are looking at their phone, they’re not interested in watching it.”

Reporter Craig Anderson contributed to this story.