Thousands of people filled the areas surrounding Niagara Falls early Monday afternoon, waiting in anticipation for the solar eclipse to start.

Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati said there’s not too many things in mother nature that will be as special as a total solar eclipse. However, the fear of clouds covering the celestial show was a worry for some.

“It seems like it’s pretty cloudy from here up until night, so yeah I’m pretty concerned,” said one person.

While others accepted the forecast.

“What are you going to do? We’ve been here since Saturday, if its overcast, it’s overcast.”

WATCH MORE: CHCH News’ 2024 total solar eclipse coverage live at 3 p.m.

At 2 p.m. eyes turned to the sky, the clouds remained but eventually little glimpses of the moon crept over the sun. Many people at the Falls were amazed by the sighting. Then the atmosphere started to change, it got noticeably darker and colder.

“Amazing how dark it got all of the sudden, really shocking.”

The streets lights turned on as people saw the moon and the sun just a little bit.

People came to Niagara Falls from as far as eastern Pennsylvania. They said it was definitely worth the drive. Many others were also mesmerized by the experience.

“Obviously the clouds are blocking it, but even that micro second that it popped out it was still amazing to witness,” said one person.

“Wow, I think the biggest thing was the temperature drop and getting dark, and all the people a million peoples voices going woah,” said another.