Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Village of Goreville set to host eclipse activities over the weekend

The Village of Goreville is planning to host some activities for its citizens and the general public during the weekend of the 2017 eclipse, Saturday, Aug. 19 through Monday, Aug. 21.

Some activities may cost, specifically on Monday, Aug. 21.

Dr. Leslie Looney from the University of Illinois astronomy department (and guest) will be presenting information about the eclipse on Saturday, Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Goreville High School gym.

This event is free and open to the public.

Community churches will congregate at the Goreville Village Park for an evening of gospel singing and fellowship on Sunday, Aug. 20.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. and last until 8 p.m.

Churches that participated in planning will be hosting singers and inspirational speakers.

The public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs to enjoy the evening.

Parking will be free at the park and in the Goreville Baptist Church parking lot.

Some food vendors will be at the park for the public.

The Goreville Village Park will be open for the public to view the 2017 eclipse.

The University of Illinois College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) will have seven tables set up for the public to participate in activity stations available from 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

The stations will offer the following:

Pinhole camera activity for kids, astronomy outreach activity, entomology, atmospheric science, biology (genetic), geology and geometry lab.

An effort is being made to have telescopes and equipment on-hand for the public to use and observe the eclipse event, but is not yet confirmed.

Food vendors will be at the park for the public.

Medical personnel will be on-site at the park to respond to any medical needs.

All activities will be concluded by 3 p.m.

Limited credit card use will be available. The public should bring cash to purchase food, beverages, parking, transportation and other related expenses.

The public is responsible for having their own protective eye glasses for viewing and encouraged to bring a lawn chair.

Dr. Brian Fields, astronomer/professor from University of Illinois astronomy department will be sharing a live-explanation to the audience during the totality of the eclipse.

Paid parking of $10 per vehicle and $30 per RV will be available west of town (30-40 acre field), about one-fourth of a mile from the park, with persons having to talk to the park or they will be welcome to stay at their vehicle.

Local resident Adam Kirby is offering this service. He is opening his property at 5 a.m. on Aug. 21.

Shuttle service, which is $5 per person round trip, will be available starting at 9 a.m. from parking area to the village park and concluding at 4 p.m.

Profits from the event goes towards the Goreville Freedom Fest. No tax dollars are being spent to put on the events.

Village trustee for the Village of Goreville, Jody Johnson, suggested locals know at all times where their children are due to do the influx of people. Advise them to go no where alone.

Also, if a stranger is on personal property, acknowledge that you see them and ask who they are.

Make sure to lock all cars, houses and outbuildings.

On the north side of town, the First Pentecostal Church is offering parking with food accommodations on their site.

The cost for self-contained campers, parked the night before, is $50. The cost for car parking the day of is $30.

Food will be available for purchase, including hot dogs, chips, soda and water.

The Goreville Masonic Lodge will be serving a fish fry all day on Sunday, Aug. 20 at $6.

On Monday, Aug. 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., they will be serving hamburgers and bratwurst.

Anyone purchasing food is welcome to bring their lawn chair and enjoy the view from the Masonic lawn.

The village of Goreville wants to see the community’s property and the village citizens property treated with respect and with care.

This includes trash properly disposed of, all people treated with courtesy and respect, with the intent of visitors leaving Goreville with a pleasant experience of the town.

Traffic is expected to be unusually high, so patience by everyone will be necessary.

The village’s intent is to create opportunity for local businesses by providing public space for visitors to enjoy this natural phenomenon.

Knowing local businesses will provide wonderful products and services to guests will let them leave pleased with their experience.