TIFFIN, Ohio — Along with the excitement of the upcoming total solar eclipse, many local businesses in the path of totality are also making sure visitors to the area and locals have a way to commemorate the once-in-a-lifetime event.
"We're going to see a number of visitors that might come maybe for the first time and only time in their life. So let's make sure while they're here they have a great experience, but also they can take something home with them," Bryce Riggs, executive director of Destination Seneca County said.
From t-shirts to Christmas ornaments, many businesses are making specially made products to help people mark the occasion of the first total solar eclipse in Ohio since 1806.
Tiffin-based glass artist Ryan Poignon said he could have overthought things when coming up with his own eclipse souvenir.
But he said his wife inspired him to go simple and offer a 1 and 3/4 inch glass marble, tinted dark bluish grey.
"It's a color that I thought would resemble the special moment of the eclipse," Poignon said. "We're all going to be here, especially in Tiffin, Ohio. We are so excited."
Poignon said this is the first time in his career he has been able to make and market any kind of decorative marble.
Since posting on social media, he said the demand for these marbles has been non-stop.
Poignon is also creating a version of his top-selling Christmas icicle ornaments that he's calling sunsicles, made in the same sparkly, dark blue color.
During an interview with Poignon, Bill Hite came in to order one for his daughter who is traveling to Tiffin from Oakland to experience the eclipse with her family.
"Secondly, it's her birthday, so what a great idea," Hite said. "It's something they can set out, they can talk about for quite some time."
"We've already shipped to multiple states besides Ohio just for these items," Poignon said. "So it's not only us getting excited for it, it's the whole country is ready for this eclipse."
Poignon also said with his current workload, it's about a two-day turnaround for those special order eclipse marbles, but he said he will continue to fulfill those orders well after the eclipse if need be.