Aullwood Farm brought families, friends together for total solar eclipse

Mark Sieffert and his children, Poppy and Robbie, watch the total solar eclipse at Aullwood Audobon in Dayton on Monday, April 8, 2024. NATALIE JONES/STAFF

Mark Sieffert and his children, Poppy and Robbie, watch the total solar eclipse at Aullwood Audobon in Dayton on Monday, April 8, 2024. NATALIE JONES/STAFF

Aullwood Farm in Englewood was filled Monday with families and friends traveling to Dayton from places such as Baltimore and Chicago to catch a glimpse of the total solar eclipse. The majority of folks chose Aullwood for its family-friendly, outdoor environment with activities for kids, a chance to see farm animals and the famous troll exhibit.

Mark Sieffert, his 9-year-old daughter, Poppy, and his 7-year-old son, Robbie, traveled to Cincinnati from Baltimore, Maryland to see the New York Red Bulls play on Saturday against FC Cincinnati.

“With all the things to do in Dayton, (we) decided this was the place,” Sieffert said.

The family had already been to the National Museum of the USAF and the Wright Brothers’ House.

Robbie and Poppy Sieffert watch a presentation about screech owls at Aullwood Audubon in Dayton on Monday, April 8, 2024. NATALIE JONES/STAFF

Credit: Natalie Jones

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Credit: Natalie Jones

Erik and Jennifer Weech from Sycamore, Ill. were originally planning to stay at a friend’s house that borders Kentucky and Ohio, but when plans fell through they found an Airbnb in Loveland.

The couple had seen the eclipse in 2017 and at that time Jennifer was pregnant with their daughter, Wynter. They thought it was only right to make sure Wynter saw the 2024 eclipse.

Wynter Weech, a 6-year-old from Sycamore, Illinois, makes Baily’s Beads at a total eclipse viewing event at Aullwood Audubon in Dayton on Monday, April 8, 2024. NATALIE JONES / STAFF

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Nathan Heller and Nafeesa Dawoodbhoy drove from Chicago to meet a friend and his family from Pennsylvania. They said their friend is really into astrology, so they had been planning the trip to Dayton since last year. Aullwood was the perfect place for them to watch the eclipse because their children could run around on the farm.

Nafeesa Dawoodbhoy and Nathan Heller drove from Chicago, Illinois with their daughter to meet a friend and his family from Pennsylvania at Aullwood Audubon in Dayton for the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024. NATALIE JONES/STAFF

Credit: Natalie Jones

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Credit: Natalie Jones

As soon as the eclipse started around 2 p.m. families began choosing the perfect spot to watch. Right after 3 p.m. when totality occurred, there was an eruption of excitement and clapping.

Jeffrey Cambbell from Ann Arbor, Mich. was at Aullwood with his wife, Lisa Johnson. He saw the eclipse in 2017, but this was his wife’s first time.

Jeffrey Cambbell and his wife, Lisa Johnson from Ann Arbor, Michigan were at Aullwood Audubon in Dayton on Monday, April 8, 2024 for the eclipse. NATALIE JONES / STAFF

Credit: Natalie Jones

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Credit: Natalie Jones

“It’s amazing. I guess it’s not a once in a lifetime event for me, but it is for a lot of people,” Cambbell said. “It was great to be part of it with all of these nice people around here.”

The next total solar eclipse that can be seen from the United States will be on Aug. 23, 2044, according to NASA.

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