DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas — On Saturday, the moon passed between the Earth and the sun, creating a partial solar eclipse visible in parts of Central Texas.
The City of Dripping Springs celebrated the eclipse by having a viewing party at Veterans Memorial Park.
"I wasn't even supposed to open till 10:00 [a.m.], and there were lines of cars at 9:00 [a.m.],” said Lisa Sullivan, who works for the City.
Crowds of people came to get solar glasses and watch the eclipse. They also came to see the giant art exhibit of solar glasses the City installed in the park.
"We wanted to do something fun, and we wanted to make it iconic for Dripping Springs,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan said the exhibit will be up until April to educate people and get them excited for the full eclipse in 2024.
Karyna Donley was one Dripping Springs resident who was excited to bring her family to see the eclipse.
"They've learned a little bit about it at school, and they made some projects this week at school to show what happens to the sun and the moon and how they rotate all around,” Donley said.
Sullivan said a partial eclipse like Saturday's is pretty rare.
"For the solar eclipse, they only happen in one place every 300 years, so Dripping, the last time one came to Dripping was in like the 1800s,” Sullivan said.
Even more rare is the full eclipse that will happen in April 2024. Sullivan said Dripping Springs residents will be able to see it in its totality for three minutes. The City will also be having a two-day block party to celebrate the solar event and is expecting three to four times the number of people who live in the area to come to Dripping Springs for the event.