The region will witness a 99.4 percent eclipse obscuration (which is the fraction of the Sun’s area covered by the Moon). Even though it’s not totality, the eclipse will be very visible in this area (weather permitting, of course!). To see what the eclipse will look like along the banks of the Mississippi River in the Meeting of the Great Rivers, click this link: https://goo.gl/i5ECD5





Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at the Amphitheater

Witness the phenomenon of this amazing celestial event – the solar eclipse – with free admission to the Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at the Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheatre. On Monday, August 21 head down to the Alton Amphitheater, 1 Riverfront Dr., Alton, IL from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for free activities during the solar eclipse. Free solar eclipse viewing glasses will be given away, while supplies last, so people can safely view the solar eclipse.Free activities include:

• Live music featuring Mars Needs Guitars from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Bubble Bus from 11 a.m. to noon

• Treehouse Wildlife Center will be on hand with live animals

• Live feed of the eclipse from NASA will be available for viewing on computers

• Face Painting

• Hula Hoops

• Corn Hole games

• Kettle Corn

• Tropical Sno

• Appetizers from Great Rivers Tap and Grill

• Pig on a Wing Food Truck

• Drinks courtesy of the Alton Park and Recreation Department

The Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at the Amphitheater is sponsered by Phillips 66, Alton Park and Recreation Department, Hayner Public Library, Best Western Premier Alton-St. Louis and Alton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau.







Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at Lewis and Clark Community College

In addition, Lewis and Clark Community College will host an eclipse viewing event on Monday, August 21. The Solar Eclipse Viewing Party will be held in Fountain Court at 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey, IL from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free event will have free food along with fun and games while waiting to view the solar eclipse. Complimentary solar eclipse viewing glasses will be available, while supplies last, to view the once in a lifetime event with students, faculty, and staff of Lewis and Clark Community College as well as members of the community.

This event is held in conjunction with the eclipse-themed 2017 Summer Garden Show, Solar Flair. During the event take a free self-guided tour of the ten themed pocket gardens and fourteen bronze sculptures that make up Lewis and Clark’s Monticello Sculpture Gardens.

What is a Solar Eclipse?

This celestial event is when the moon passes between the sun and Earth and blocks all or part of the sun for up to three hours, from beginning to end. The solar eclipse will be visible in totality only within a narrow band across the United States which stretches from Oregon to South Carolina. It’s been a while since a solar eclipse was visible in the continental United States:

• The most recent solar eclipse occurred in 1979 over the contiguous U.S.

• The last time a total solar eclipse was visible across the entire continental U.S. was in 1918.

• The last time a total solar eclipse occurred in the region was in 1442.

The next solar eclipse will occur on April 8, 2024 and although the Meeting of the Great Rivers won’t be in the path of totality, some occlusion of the sun will be visible.



How to Safely View the Solar Eclipse

Don’t be blindsided! Never look directly at the sun without appropriate protection. Always make sure you are safely observing the sun during the eclipse by wearing special eclipse glasses. Free glasses will be given away at the viewing parties, while supplies last, or stop into 1904 General Store at 322 E. Broadway, Alton, IL and purchase a pair of solar eclipse glasses for $3 before August 21.

Take a journey through the path of totality and visit these Illinois Makers throughout the southern part of Illinois!