Triangle residents flock to Charleston for eclipse
CHARLESTON, South Carolina (WTVD) -- Charleston will experience a total eclipse Monday and people from the Triangle are among the 2 million expected to descend on the "Holy City" to take in the celestial event.
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"It's really neat, and I'm hoping for a clear day tomorrow," said Raleigh resident Lucy Keenan, who has been planning this trip for six months.
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"This is really the last one we'll see, probably in our lifetime, unless we go overseas," Drew Keenan said.
Nine-year-old Theo Brook, who's a fourth grader in Raleigh, could not be more excited.
"I just really can't wait," he said. "This is going to be my first eclipse."
There are several parties across town. A big one is planned at Patriots Point at the USS Yorktown. About 3,000 people will pack the ship. NASA scientists will be there and the Chair of UNC-Chapel Hill's Department of Physics and Astronomy, Dr. Christian Iliadis, will be kicking off the ceremony.
Jim and Denise Kiley plan to watch on their boat, which they brought down from Wilmington.
"We hope to see total darkness and some stars," Denise said.
Downtown Charleston has been abuzz. August is usually low season because of the heat and humidity, but streets are filled with tourists. Some people were seen scooping up commemorative eclipse T-shirts.
Classes are canceled for students Monday in Charleston County.
WATCH: ABC11's Brittany Bell reports on eclipse prep in western North Carolina
