SOUTHERN ILLINOIS CROSSROADS ECLIPSE FESTIVAL 2024 PRESS RELEASE
Date/Time
Date(s) - 04/05/2024 - 04/08/2024
12:00 am
Categories
CARBONDALE –
The Total Solar Eclipse is ONE month away! Carbondale celebrates its second total solar Eclipse within 7
years, lasting 4 minutes and 9 seconds starting at 1:59 PM on April 8, 2024. This Eclipse intersects paths with
the 2017 total solar eclipse in the middle of Cedar Lake, making Carbondale the Eclipse Crossroads of America.
The Southern Illinois Crossroads Eclipse Festival runs all weekend starting Friday April 5, 2024, through
Monday, April 8, 2024. There will be a plethora of free offerings and events for all ages throughout Carbondale
from SIU Campus, all the way down the iconic downtown strip! We’ve broken down some highlights from the
weekend and have included a full itinerary. We suggest you take your time to navigate through all of the
offerings to curate your own unique Eclipse weekend experience!
Music and art lovers can find themselves at multiple art fests including Carbondale Spring Fest & Crossroads
Art & Craft Fair, featuring local artists and vendors. ArtSpace 304 exhibits, presents Into the Shadow: an
interactive scientific art experience & Everything Under the Solar Eclipse. Rock out at the Carbondale Eclipse
Concert (BYOB & BYOC) with a wide genre of music, from Ol’ Skool Gospel Jamboree Choir, our friends
from STL, Aaron Kamm and the One Drops, and a reunion from a classic Carbondale staple, The Woodbox
Gang. Regional Schools collaborate to present Into the Darkness: Celebrating the Eclipse with Music hosted at
Shryock Auditorium. Illinois News Joint is hosting a free event for adults 21 and up, Eve of the Eclipse
Cannabis Carnival: A Masquerade and Cosplay Party, where guests can receive education and explore cannabis
products in an open consumption lounge while participating in a masquerade costume contest! Gather
downtown in the Entertainment District with friends and family for brunch and tunes before the partial Eclipse
begins at 12:30 PM for Eclipse on the Strip: A Carbondale Busking Experience. Within the Entertainment
District all guests 21 and up can navigate downtown freely with their open beverage containers and may post up
wherever they please to view the Eclipse. Eclipse viewing glasses are available at the Carbondale Civic Center,
200 S. Illinois Ave. The city kindly asks guests to be mindful of their behavior such as not obstructing the
sidewalks and to leave no trace by picking up after themselves.
For the science-inclined minds, SIU is teaming up with Alder Planetarium and NASA EDGE to bring a high
level of education, entertainment, and prestige to this celestial viewing experience. Guests can peruse the
Crossroads Astronomy Science and Technology Expo, learn about Buckminster Fuller and his immense
contributions at the Dymaxion World of Buckminster Fuller presentation, cosplay and indulge in sci-fi fun as
Saluki Con presents Eclipse Con, star gaze at the Eclipse Eve Live: Sky Observers Hangout, and view the total
Solar Eclipse while being guided by scientists from NASA EDGE and the Alder Planetarium during Eclipse
Day at Saluki Stadium.
If you are seeking lodging accommodations, the city has created a pop-up campground at Evergreen Park for
pre-registered guests. Please note there is one pass per vehicle and guests do not need to be present the entire
duration. Most event offerings are first come first serve, which encompasses any parking lots within the city of
Carbondale, Poplar camp beach at Cedar Lake, and the boat launch at Cedar Lake. We are encouraging our
community to come out and enjoy this weekend’s events by creating your own Carbondale Eclipse experience.
Here’s the itinerary for these events and more- choose your adventure! Whether you are playing downtown,
joining in workshops on SIU campus, or exploring the Shawnee National Forest- the path starts here.
2024 Carbondale Eclipse Events
Carbondale Eclipse Facebook
Southern Illinois Crossroads Festival
Evergreen Park Campground
Check in: 9 AM on April 6, 2024
Check out: by 1PM on April 9, 2024
*One pass per vehicle & do not need to be present the entire duration.
Other Links:
Volunteer for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse all weekend
Lodging accommodations in Carbondale all weekend
Eclipse Spotify playlist
Friday, April 5, 2024
• 8-12PM – Chalk-Eclipse- this will be held on SIU campus at Faner Hall. This is a competition for Junior High and
High School students.
• 7-9PM- Into the Darkness: Celebrating the Eclipse with music- This event will take place on SIU campus at
Shryock Auditorium. The Unity Point School Band and Choir, along with five other local schools perform a
concert.
Saturday, April 6, 2024
• 10-12PM Run from the Sun 5K- This event will be held on SIU campus
• 10-5PM- Salukicon Presents Eclipse Con- This event will be held on SIU campus at the Student Center. This is a
celebration of the incredible worlds of Science, Technology, Arts, Humanities, and Comics. This is a ticketed
event.
• 11-5PM- Carbondale Spring FEST- This event will be held at the Washington Street Venue. This will be a vendor
event showcasing local businesses. Washington Street between Walnut and Main will be closed down.
Sunday, April 7, 2024
• 9-5PM- Crossroads Astronomy, Science, and Technology Expo- This event will be held inside the Banterra Center
on SIU campus. This will be a vendor event for organizations and businesses that specialize in solar, astronomy,
science, and new technology.
• 10-5PM- Salukicon Presents Eclipse Con- This event will be held on SIU campus at the Student Center. This is a
celebration of the incredible worlds of Science, Technology, Arts, Humanities, and Comics. This is a ticketed
event.
• 10:30-6PM- Crossroads Art and Craft Fair- This event will take place on the north lawn of the Banterra Center on
SIU campus
• 1-5PM Eclipse Encuentro- The S.I. Cultural & Arts in Bilingual Education is having an event at Turley Park in both
the Pavilion and Gazebo. There will be food, music and painting. They expect to have around 100 people.
• 1-9PM Carbondale Spring FEST- This event will be held at the Washington Street Venue. This will be a vendor
event showcasing local businesses. Washington Street between Walnut and Main will be closed down.
• 3-10PM- Carbondale Eclipse Concert- This event will be held at the Washington Street Venue. This concert is free
to attend and will be BYOB. The Woodbox Gang and Aaron Kamm and the One Drops will be performing.
• 3-10PM Eve of the Eclipse Cannabis Carnival: A Masquerade and Cosplay Party- This event will be held at the
Washington Street Venue. This event will be free to the public. There will be vendors offering complimentary
cannabis bars, masquerade/costume contest, games, and prizes.
• 3-4PM Dymaxion World of Buckminister Fuller- This event will be held at Quigley Hall on SIU campus. They will
be exploring the life and impact of Buckminister Fuller.
• 7-9PM Eclipse Eve Live: Sky Observers Hangout- This event will take place outside at Shryock Auditorium on SIU
campus. No RSVP or tickets to attend.
• 8-9:30PM- Night Ranger is scheduled to play at Walker’s Casino
Monday, April 8, 2024- ECLIPSE DAY!!!
Eclipse- April 8, 2024, at 1:59 PM
4 minutes 9 seconds totality
Partial Begins at 12:30 PM
• 9-5PM Crossroads Astronomy, Science, and Technology Expo- This event will be inside the Banterra Center on
SIU campus. This will be a vendor event for organizations and businesses that specialize in solar, astronomy,
science, and new technology.
• 9-5PM- Crossroads Art and Craft Fair- This event will take place on the north lawn of the Banterra Center on SIU
campus
• 9-2:30PM- StraightUp Solar Campus and Community Area- This event will take place on Neckers Lawn on SIU
campus
• 12-2:30PM- Eclipse Day at SIU Stadium- SIU will team up with Adler Planetarium and NASA EDGE for a funfilled total solar eclipse. Doors open at 1100 hours.
• 9-12:30PM- Eclipse on the Strip- Musicians will be busking outside The Varsity, Veteran’s Memorial Plaza, and
Town Square Pavilion.
For more information, contact the City of Carbondale’s Public Relations Officer at 618-457-3262.
“Carbondale prides itself on providing its visitors, students, businesses and residents with a unique mix of edge
and ease. It’s a cultural town, yet free of pretense, embracing the great outdoors as readily as urban
sophistication. Here, we are open to new ideas, experiences and cultures, so you are encouraged to both
express yourself and be yourself, in all ways. That’s Carbondale…All Ways Open… for family, fun, business,
new ideas and a bright tomorrow.”