‘E is for Evan’: 16-year-old Wales native travels to celebrate eclipse birthday in Evansville
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) - A once-in-a-lifetime event is paving the way for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a 16-year-old from Wales.
Evan John Griffiths and his family have traveled over 3,900 miles to see the total solar eclipse in Evansville on April 8.
“I’m from South Wales, which is in the United Kingdom,” Griffiths said. “Very far away, and I’ve traveled all this way to Evansville for the eclipse.”
So why did they choose Evansville over the other large cities in the path of totality? For obvious reasons.
“It just happens to be that my name is Evan, and it’s on my birthday,” Griffiths said. “I mean my name, on my birthday, and an eclipse. Insane.”
After being stateside in the River City since April 2, we got his thoughts on what he thinks of the city.
“Honestly, I came here expecting it to be some tiny town just all intersections, with just one hotel,” Griffiths admitted. “I was so stoked to see that it’s actually pretty cool, beats my expectations.”
Evan’s visiting with his mom Cathrin, and his brother William. All three are celebrating his birthday while seeing a once-in-a-lifetime event right down on the riverfront.
Griffiths said had it not been for his mom, he wouldn’t be able to take the trip.
“Cross the continent and an ocean, anyone else would be like no,” Griffiths said. “But she did, which I’m very grateful like, thanks mom.”
Griffiths says everyone has been welcoming, the architecture has caught his eye, and he’s enjoyed the nature he’s seen so far. He told us that everything in his life has led up to this moment, and he expects to take full advantage of the time he has in the Tri-State.
“I’m so stoked on a level you couldn’t even imagine, like elated constantly,” Griffiths said. “I don’t think this compares to any other birthday I’ve had. Some birthday party I had when I was like 6 is not going to come close, because this is just amazing.”
The family is from a town called Llandeilo, which is in the southern part of Wales.
They say they’ll be in Evansville until April 9th, and then will make the journey back home.
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