Nearly 100,000 motivated people from around the world came to Jean-Drapeau Park and were amazed by the historic eclipse which spent 1 minute 26 seconds above Montreal on Monday afternoon.
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“It was so special, I cried. It was really incredible to share this moment surrounded by so many people,” said Ryan Rose, a young New Yorker who drove more than 7 hours to go to Montreal just to observe the eclipse.
If initially she wanted to experience this moment alone, she instead chose like thousands of people to head to Jean-Drapeau Park, on Sainte-Hélène Island, in Montreal, where an important event was organized for the occasion which will not occur again until the year 2205 in Montreal.
Photo Agence QMI, JOEL LEMAY
“It was moving to hear people react and to experience all kinds of emotions,” added the young woman who left a few minutes later for New York.
While the Sun was disappearing behind the Moon, the festive atmosphere quickly transformed to give way to wonder. Indeed, visitors were in the front row to see the eclipse above the city of Montreal, while the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and Diane Dufresne offered another show.
A show that gives you chills
Armed with their protective glasses, some people had been waiting since 11 a.m. Monday morning at the site.
Arsalen, 9, and his brother, Bayrem, 7, were stamping their feet with impatience.
“There are just 10 minutes left! It’s going to be magical,” said Arsalen, eyes fixed on the sun.
Like him and his brother, Guy Mercier did not want to miss the opportunity to photograph the Moon in front of the sun.
“Here we’re going to have an incredible view with the city of Montreal behind us, it’s going to be exceptional,” he explained to Newspaper.
Same thing for Johanne Zummo and her friend Louise Desrosiers.
“We wanted to be sure of having a good place,” M laughed.me Zummo, who came down from Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines in the Laurentians to join her friend from Montreal.
Photo Clara Loiseau
Still marked by the eclipse of 1972, the two women, who were 15 years old at that time, had long planned their trip to the park located in the middle of the St. Lawrence.
“The date had been circled since January in my calendar, I wouldn’t have missed it,” confided Mme Desrosiers, leaning against a fence.
For the children too, the spectacle was magnificent.
Photo Agence QMI, JOEL LEMAY
“I’ve been waiting for this for a long time, it was magical, but it was cold,” giggled Alexis, 10, who didn’t expect the temperature to drop that much.
Several people had planned ahead by wrapping themselves up in a blanket or a big sweater.
Fascinated
The story was the same for Pascal Corbeil who took time off altogether so as not to miss the show. And he was not disappointed.
“It was really crazy and unique and it allowed me to meet lots of people,” he said, happy to see that this show brought together people who were all experiencing a historic moment together.
Photo Agence QMI, JOEL LEMAY