The athletic field behind Yarmouth High School might not have afforded visitors a view of a total solar eclipse Tuesday, but the families and onlookers who showed up were still thrilled with the view.

“It’s incredible,” said Ted McGillicuddy, of Lisbon, who brought his sons Ed, 9 and John, 11. “I think to be able to come here, great event, and we’re starting to see that sun come, and the eclipse starting to happen, it’s incredible.”

Ivy Burns, youth and teen librarian at Merrill Memorial Library, helped organize the viewing party at the field, using little more than word of mouth to promote it.

“I wanted there to be a place where people could gather in a nice community gathering,” she said. 

Her campaign worked. An estimated 200 people flocked to the field Tuesday afternoon. Burns and other library personnel manned a table at the field’s entrance. They handed out eye-protecting glasses to view the eclipse, along with construction paper and instructions for creating a pinhole camera.

The low-frills scene had a local community feel. The field was dotted with clusters of people, some lying in the grass, some on blankets, others sitting in portable folding chairs. They had the relaxed demeanor of a group waiting to watch a parade pass by, or a fireworks display. 

A little girl named Nola, who came with her family from Yarmouth, perfectly understood the eclipse and how it worked. When asked why it wasn’t scary that the sun was going away, she said, “Cause it’s only for two minutes.”

Tom Nale, 76, of Waterville, saw the last total solar eclipse visible in Maine in 1963. He was in Dexter, parked on the side of the road. He even took a photo on film at the time. 

“It was beautiful,” he said. “It’s exciting to see another one.”

Yarmouth was outside of the path of totality for Tuesday’s eclipse, but the sun still shrank to a sliver in the sky while attendees donned their glasses and looked skyward. 

The sun nearly disappeared at 3:30 p.m., creating a surreal display. The light over the field dimmed as though clouds had covered the sun, but shadows remained sharp and crisp. 

In the background, Burns and her staff played a selection of songs including The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun,” Katrina’s “Walking on Sunshine,” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark.” 

Burns said the turnout exceeded her expectations, and she loved the fun, festive vibe of the whole event.

“Everybody has been so calm and happy and appreciative,” she said.