CASSOPOLIS — Area eclipse viewers were given a local destination for activities, education, and viewing during the solar event this week.

The Cass County Council on Aging hosted a Solar Eclipse Viewing Party on Tuesday at the Lowe Center Pavilion in Cassopolis. Around 100 people of a variety of ages, mostly local residents, attended the event, according to COA Director of Community Outreach Patty Gremaux. The first 50 received free eclipse viewing glasses and all attendees were invited to take part in eclipse-themed games, trivia, information, and refreshments.

Attendees were able to experience 96% coverage during the partial eclipse at the peak of the three-hour event. Windy but otherwise clear weather allowed for continued viewing of the constantly changing eclipse.

According to Gremaux, all in attendance had a great time and provided positive feedback to the COA for providing such an event to the community.

During the event, door prizes were given out. The COA also provided a game in which attendees listed as many songs as they could think of that used the words sun, moon, or eclipse in the title. The winner submitted 57 songs.

Gremaux expressed the importance of giving the community a place to experience the rarely occurring event, hoping they could do the same in a few decades.

“20 years is a long time,” she said.

The Cass County Council on Aging provides a variety of events, including a summer concert series, food truck events, and bus trips. Information on other activities can be found at CassCOA.org.