This article will be updated this week as needed, as officials continue preparation for the potential influx of eclipse visitors.
UPDATED 1:05 P.M., 10/12/23: Officials and stakeholders gathered on Wednesday to review the Incident Action Plan for Saturday’s annular eclipse. Menard County Emergency Management Coordinator Jeff Whitson briefed the group, who have been gathering and planning for the past couple of months, on the finalized plan going into the weekend.
Saturday’s annular eclipse will happen around 11:50 a.m. and last just under 5 minutes. Menard has prepared for the event because the city and county lie within the path of totality, which—according to past eclipses— draws an increased number of visitors, all hoping to view the eclipse in its totality. Saturday's annular eclipse—which culminates in the moon not quite fully covering the sun— is kind of a scrimmage leading up to the big game in April. The "big game" is all-out, full-darkness, total eclipse, where the moon will completely block out the sun resulting in darkness for almost 5 minutes during the day. It is expected to draw more people than Saturday’s event. Whitson does not expect Saturday to result in any type of chaos, but with an abundance of caution he and the team will be prepared should a need arise. The goal for everyone is safety and enjoyment of nature’s show.
Of course, eclipses can be seen in other parts of the world. The siren lure to the path of totality is experiencing total darkness as the sun is briefly blotted out to varying degrees. In the path for an annular eclipse viewers should be able to see the Ring of Fire and the moon eclipses the sun.
Organizations in pathway communities like Junction and Fredericksburg are planning numerous eclipse-themed events to draw in the tourists both this weekend and in April. Menard County Chamber of Commerce will be in the low water park Saturday from 9-4. They will welcome local and visiting eclipse-viewers, have some live music, eclipse eyewear and t-shirts for sale, and a food truck. Fortunately, in our area, you can also just walk out your back door to witness the phenomenon. As of press time the weather is predicted to be sunny and warm, so viewers should get a great gander.
If you choose to view the eclipse on Saturday, please be prepared with proper protective eyewear. Your everyday sunglasses will not do. NASA says the only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose filters, like the eclipse glasses the Chamber is selling, 2 for $5. Menard ISD students will receive a pair free from the school, so check those backpacks. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun; they transmit thousands of times too much sunlight. As a thank you to our loyal readers, the News is offering FREE eclipse glasses. There is a box on the porch of the office at 220 Gay St. PLEASE only take what you need for you and/or your immediate family!
ORIGINAL STORY, 10/9/23: If you see a COW at the VFD station, do not be alarmed. It’s simply a Cell On Wheels tower deployed today in preparation for Saturday’s eclipse.
The tower is a free service from AT&T’s FirstNet network that will provide cell service to first responders if in-place cell infrastructure goes down or is overloaded. Emergency Management Coordinator Jeff Whitson says Menard County was approved to receive this service in preparation for Saturday’s annular eclipse.
Remember, the Menard area (especially the eastern portion of the county) lies within the path of totality for this “Ring of Fire” eclipse. Because of this, officials predict increased traffic and use of resources over the weekend. Residents are encouraged to prepare by getting groceries or medications early this week. Fuel your vehicles, as well. It is not so much that eclipse tourists will come wipe out supplies, although paired with annual hunters in town, that may be the case. The concern is the influx of traffic- there will probably be bread on the shelves… but there could be traffic backups for miles.
Preparation for this eclipse and the total eclipse in April, has been based off similarly sized communities in the path of totality during previous eclipses. At one point in Kansas in 2017, residents and eclipse visitors experienced a 72-mile backup on the main highway through a rural town.
City and County officials have been preparing for the event for months and have a comprehensive plan in place in anticipation of an influx of visitors. This includes additional EMS service and peace officers, first aid and water stations, portable restroom facilities, and fire department resources spread throughout the county. To ensure the event command center— at First Methodist Church— along with Menard County Sheriff’s Office can be accessed easily, some streets will be blocked off over the weekend. Beginning Friday, streets around the courthouse will be blocked at 8 a.m. and will remain closed to through traffic through Sunday, October 15 at 8:00 a.m. Gay St. will be barricaded at San Saba Ave. and Mission St. Tipton will be blocked at Gay St. and Bowie St. Pick up and drop off for Menard Elementary and Junior High school should not be affected.
Although the amount of additional people this weekend likely will not compare to the April 8 eclipse tourism, officials have warned residents to take this seriously and do not put off things like picking up medications from the pharmacy. There is no way to know what to expect this weekend, but our county officials will be ready for whatever the annual eclipse may bring!