The vast majority of our top 10 stories typically involve issues with a weeks-long buildup and/or fallout.

Number 9 on this year’s list keys on an event that spanned a mere six minutes: the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024.

Sure, there was some buildup. News sources provided ample notice the eclipse was coming, and that it would plunge the northern half of Vermont into an extremely rare, otherworldly darkness between roughly 3:25 to 3:31 p.m. on April 8. Plus, most people kept an eye on the weather forecast to see if there would be cloud cover at that time.

Around 160,000 visitors entered Vermont to get a firsthand look at the eclipse.

But if you lived in most parts of Addison County, all you really had to do was make sure you had your special viewing glasses, and a chair set up in your backyard.

Still, many Addison County folks sought to share the experience with their friends and neighbors. Entire neighborhoods organized watch parties, or gathered at events organized by towns, nonprofits and entertainment organizations.

Scores of people set up folding chairs and blankets at Middlebury’s Recreation Park, Triangle Park, on the banks of Otter Creek in the Marble Works, in College Park, across the Middlebury College campus, and even at the cemetery of South Main Street.

In Bristol, they converged on the town green and the rec park. That’s where Bristol Cub Scout Troop 453, led by Greg Grover, staged a hands-on, educational dynamic to the occasion — Grover had each Scout hold a large, colorful bouncy ball, representing the sun or one of the eight planets in the solar system. At one point, the youngsters began to spin and circumnavigate the sun to mimic the dynamics of the solar system.

Vergennes-area folks watched from the Bixby Library and Lake Champlain Maritime Museum.

In Starksboro they held an Eclipse Party behind Robinson Elementary School. The Fire Department and the Auxiliary sold hot dogs and snacks, and people brought many different kinds of homemade eclipse-themed desserts. Local musician Patrick Melvin provided live entertainment. At least 200 people showed up, mostly from Starksboro, though some were from nearby states.

Monkton saw scores of people gather behind the town office/library, where they lounged on  the lawn and enjoyed each other’s company.

Those who wanted a more solitary experience simply pulled into a parking lot or to the side of the road, popped on glasses, and waited.

Excited chatter reverberated across the county as the sun and moon crossed paths. Sprinkled in with the exclamations were the hurried shutter-clicks of specially outfitted cameras, enlisted to immortalize the occurrence.

Fortunately, Mother Nature cooperated with clear skies, which gradually darkened. For a moment, it was “nighttime” when most kids would normally be getting home from school. Some watchers dashed to their vehicles to retrieve sweaters or jackets as the sun’s rays became more muted. Ample exclamations of “Oooohh” and “Aaaahh” rang out to the heavens in appreciation of the rare celestial sight.

When the show was over, the mass exodus began. Traffic on Routes 116, 7, 22A, 30 and other major thoroughfares plodded southbound as visiting eclipse viewers excited the county. They left with memories they would cherish the rest of their lives.