Total Eclipse brings thousands to the Edge of America
By Lorne Chambers | Editor
Around 2:45 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 21 the moon will pass directly in front of the sun and the alignment will be so exact that it will completely cover the sun and a total solar eclipse will occur for those directly in it’s path. It has been 38 years since anyone in the continental United States has seen a total solar eclipse and even then it was only a few states. It hasn’t been since 1918 that a nationwide band of totality stretched across the entire nation.
“It’s an excuse to visit Charleston and it’s a major event,” says Jennifer Mantini, a physics professor at ECPI University and adjunct professor of Astronomy at the College of Charleston. She will be at Middleton Place that day giving a presentation on astronomy and how it’s evolved over the years, from ancient civilization to modern day.
“We see if from a very scientific perspective, and it’s an exciting event. But they would have probably seen it as an omen. The probably would have thought the gods were angry,” says Mantini.
From a scientific perspective, Mantini explains that an eclipse happens when the earth, sun, and moon all line up along what is called the Line of Nodes. “It’s the sweet spot,” she says. “Basically it doesn’t always line up perfectly and it’s not the earth’s fault or the sun’s fault. It’s the moon’s fault.” Sure blame the moon! She says because the moon’s orbital plane is off a little bit, it is rare to get all three lined up perfectly.
“I don’t’ think ill ever see anything like this again in my lifetime, unless I travel somewhere,” she says. And many across the country are traveling here for the once (or twice)-in-a-lifetime astrological event. The next total eclipse visible in the United States will be 2045. After that it will be 2099.
Although Folly Beach is on the very southern edge of the “path of totality,” it should provide for a great viewing spot. Thousands are expected to flock to coast for a chance to be at the very last place on Earth to see total darkness. By the time it gets to Europe, only a small portion of that continent will see a partial eclipse.
According to Sarah Reynolds, Public Information Coordinator for the Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission (CCPRC), there will be increased staffing to help with crowd control and safety measures at the Folly Beach Fishing Pier, Folly Beach County Park, and Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve, which are all managed by CCPRC. She says CCPRC is working with area municipalities to share with the public tips about eye safety, heat safety, driving, and closings.
“If Aug. 21 is a sunny day, we will expect large crowds at our county parks on Folly Beach and we will staff them that way,” says Reynolds. “Charleston County Parks’ staff regularly manage large crowds at events and parks, especially at the beach parks and the Folly Beach Pier in the summer and holidays. We will prepare for crowds on Aug. 21 in a similar but more ardent manner.”
The eclipse proves to be a boon for local hotels and restaurants. Hotel rooms on Folly Beach have been sold out for month as eclipse frenzy began to spread across the country.
According to Kelly Penick, general manager of Waters Edge and Regatta Inn, it started around memorial weekend. “Soon after that people started talking about it and there were more bookings,” she says. And it’s a different kind of stay than normal. Penick says it’s not uncommon for her to be booked Thursday through Sunday this time of year. “In this case, several are coming in Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, which is nice to have those weekdays,” says says. “Hey, local lodging certainly doesn’t mind this!”
Matthew Zengerle, General Manager for Tides, Blu, and Pier 101, says the same thing. “Typically the third week in August you see a lull, it’s the first pump the breaks that summer is almost over,” he says. But this year, all 132 rooms at Tides have been booked for months and he is anticipating large crowds at both restaurant locations as well.
“I expect it to be a crazy day. Comparable to the Forth of July,” says Zengerle, who says he has about 1,000 pair of solar eclipse safety glasses to give out to guests and visitors. There will be live music on the decks at Blu and Pier 101, which have partnered up with Naked Turtle Rum and the South Carolina Aquarium and have made it into a bit of a fundraiser for sea turtles. Dave Landeo Trio will be playing the back deck at Blu from 1-4 p.m. with Band of Brothers at Pier 101 as well
There will be lots of other parties around Folly Beach on Aug. 21. Loggerhead’s Beach Grill is hosting an eclipse viewing party on its deck from 1-4 p.m. with complimentary viewing glasses and live music from Danny May. Woody’s Pizza & Subs is hosting a Dark Side of the Moon party from 12-4 p.m. with Jamie Crisp & Friends playing a set from the classic Pink Floyd album of the same name and alos giving out free viewing glasses.
