Area Eclipse Draws Huge Crowd at Alton Amphitheater

Multiple thousands gathered at the Liberty Bank Riverfront Amphitheater in Alton for the eclipse event. The event was sponsored by Hayner Library,  Alton Park and Recreation and Alton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau. Hayner Library staff and the Alton Convention and Visitors Bureau handed out several thousand pairs of free glasses that enabled viewing the eclipse.

Alton Mayor Brant Walker was ecstatic at the size of the crowd and the work of not only his parks and recreation department, but the Alton CVB and Hayner Public Library. He commended the organizations providing the free solar eclipse glasses. 

Marquette Catholic students walked to the Riverfront Amphitheater event to get a glimpse of educational history that will not be repeated in the region for another seven years in 2024.

It was also a big day for tourism in the Riverbend area with all hotels to capacity.

The video directly below is normal speed for first minute or so but then speeds up to 10 times normal. Enjoy!