Eclipse watchers pour into Carbondale as Southern Illinois welcomes 200,000
CARBONDALE, Ill. (CBS) -- Families and eclipse watchers flocked into Carbondale, Illinois, to view Monday's eclipse, and there was plenty more to see and do in addition.
During non-eclipse times, Carbondale is known as the home not just of SIU but also of wine trails, a DIY punk rock scene, and the nearby hippie enclave of Makanda. But for the second time in a decade, the eyes of the state and the country have been on Carbondale as a site of totality for a solar eclipse.
Southern Illinois played host to about 200,000 people pouring in from all over to be there at totality. Only about 21,700 people live in Carbondale.
The city welcomed visitors ahead of time with a block party featuring bands, food, and drink on Sunday evening once the rain moved out.
Another big draw was an Astronomy, Science, and Technology Expo on Southern Illinois University's campus, where people could pick up their eclipse glasses, play around with science, and buy those important 2024 eclipse souvenirs.
Three brothers, two who live in Chicagoland and the third in Carbondale, were together to witness the eclipse in 2017. They came together to witness it again this time.
"Everybody talks about it being a miracle," said Scott Mitchner. "It is kind of a miracle. And it's a very amazing thing to see. And that first time, I know I'll never forget that. And I'm looking forward to a second time."
That togetherness was a major theme in Carbondale -- getting to see something so awe-inspiring with friends and family.
The excitement built throughout the day on Monday.
In the time leading up to the totality, Saluki Stadium was abuzz with activity. A vocal group naturally sang "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler to accompany choreographed dancing and mascots. Meanwhile, groups of students held up orbs representing the earth, moon, and sun, and ran in circles with the moon to symbolize its orbit.
Weather balloons were also launched about three separate times – carrying packages to take measurements and images.
When the time finally came around at 2 p.m. Monday, crowds were packed in Saluki Stadium for the historic, moving, and incredible experience as the moon blocked 100% of the sun. Cheers erupted as the last bit of sunlight wrapped around the moon, turning the skies pitch dark.
It only lasted 4 minutes and 8 seconds. But it was unforgettable for everyone present.
A crowd of 15,000 gathered at the stadium alone, but people were camped out all over campus on blankets.
Hotels and Airbnbs were booked all around, such that Marie Saavedra, Albert Ramon, and their crews were put up in SIU dorms.
Todd Heideman and his family came all the way from Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood.
"Oh my God, yes, it was incredible. We were here in 2017, and we all were like, yeah, we got to see it through a cloud, you know, just like for five seconds," Heideman said. "And today was like, oh my God, this is amazing. It was unbelievable."
"It was the most spectacular thing I ever saw!" added his son.
Two teachers from the southwest suburbs ditched school Monday to come to Carbondale and see the total eclipse.
"In 2017, we heard that the clouds were a little thicker – so we made the better choice, didn't we?" said one of the two women. "And I felt so small – you know, at first, that's what I want to say – but also unity, with the world. You know, really, we're all experiencing this together. And it's an experience that we'll never possibly have again."
Of course, one of the very few downsides to the flood of people into Carbondale was the prospect of traffic going back upstate to the Chicago area. Some reported that for the previous eclipse in 2017, it took some people up to 13 hours to get home.
It was also an incredible day Monday in the Chicago suburb of Elgin, where district administrators started preparing for the solar eclipse two years ago to ensure students could experience the partial eclipse on Monday.
"It's honestly beautiful," Elgin High School student Aidan Bicocchi said as he observed the eclipse through protective eyewear in the Elgin High School Football Stadium.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Elgin High School student Emilia Rodriguez.
While Carbondale was on the path of totality for the eclipse in both 2017 and 2024, it will not happen in Southern Illinois again for around 300 years.
Chicago does not have to wait quite as long – but still a very long time. The totality for an eclipse in Chicago will next be seen in 2099.
