By Illinois Radio Network
CARBONDALE – There’s not really much more to do in southern Illinois to get ready for the eclipse.
Amy Fox, a spokeswoman for the city of Carbondale, said they’re dotting their i’s crossing their t’s this week. The big day is next Monday.
Fox said that means visitors should already have a place to stay and a plan on how to get to their viewing spot.
“A lot of people will be coming in Friday night, some people will be coming in Saturday,” Fox said. “We’re aware of some groups who’ll be coming in really early Monday morning. People continue to call and ask when they should be here Monday. And I say the earlier you can get here Monday, the better.”
Fox said the fear is that people will try and come to town on eclipse day without a plan, and get stuck in traffic.
The city of Carbondale alone expects 100,000 visitors for the eclipse.
Brandy Nance with the Blue Sky Vineyard – the best place in America to watch the eclipse, according to NASA – said she’s expecting as many as 10,000 visitors at the vineyard.
“I know that were expecting bus loads of people to arrive very early on the day of the eclipse,” Nance said. “I have 55 people from Spain who will be arriving at 6 a.m. to set up shop and enjoy the view from Blue Sky Vineyards.”
Both Nance and Fox say the Aug. 21 eclipse will be the biggest tourism draw that southern Illinois has ever seen. They both hope to make a good impression, and get some of the thousands of eclipse viewers to become southern Illinois regulars.
Unless you already have tickets, scrap your plans to take Amtrak to see the eclipse in southern Illinois, the train is full. The Associated Press reported the express train announced earlier this month traveling from Chicago to Carbondale sold out 22 hours after it was announced.
