As the day of the long-awaited total eclipse dawned cool, cloudy and overcast. Visitors remained optimistic about the weather.
One remarked, “It’s cloudy, but it looks like the sun is breaking through.”
Bandera was full of tourists from all over the world. The Bulletin met visitors from Belgium, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada and Italy.
Stateside, eclipse watchers came from California, Washington state, Colorado, Wyoming, Illinois, Delaware, Virginia, and all over Texas to get their best view of the very rare total solar eclipse.
The next total eclipse visible in the United States will be on August 23, 2044.
The eclipse viewers were prepared for the event and brought lawn chairs, blankets and vehicles to the city park.
While waiting for the eclipse, people grilled out, picnicked, played washers, walked their dogs, read novels and practiced their putting.
Tailgating was a popular pastime for visitors to Bandera. Most groups brought snacks and lunch baskets from home, but some wandered into town in search of food. Long lines were visible at several downtown restaurants.
Energetic youngsters made use of the wide-open spaces to run and play in the park. Many used the playground equipment to make the event more fun.
About an hour before the eclipse, City volunteer Zack Hutsell estimated that over a hundred cars had entered the park during the first hour to enjoy the event.
He stated that everybody seemed excited and happy about the celestial event even though the skies were cloudy. The good-natured young volunteer jumped in a four-wheeler later in the morning to check on the facility and Bandera’s visitors to the park.
Houstonian Mike Grimes stated Bandera had made it very convenient for visitors to enjoy the eclipse as he carried his camera around the park looking for the best vantage point.
Grimes also said that he enjoyed Bandera, even though he stayed in San Antonio.
“This is a very friendly little town,” he said.
A group of visitors from Illinois said that the only thing that Bandera could have done better was to schedule the eclipse on a more convenient day; Monday was not their favorite. Laughing, they kept walking to find a better area to set up their camp.
Mary Eagle from Seattle remarked, “We were glad we picked Bandera to visit during the eclipse. This little town was great.”
Both she and her friend from Delaware sported big smiles and City of Bandera Eclipse shirts.
Elijah Parker from Bandera’s Public Works Department agreed that everything ran smoothly at the park and that the visitors were “real nice.”
As he patiently directed cars to available spaces his smile and courtesy was evident.
Allyson Wright, Bandera City Treasurer, noted that the City Park event drew three vendors and visitors purchased all the commemorative t-shirts.
While she would not immediately speculate on any profits made by the event, she did say the city hoped to break even on the cost of the extra amenities situated around town.
Downtown was flush with tourists as they strolled to different restaurants and stores. While the crowds were perhaps not as huge as predicted, all the visitors seemed to be happy to be in Bandera and agreed that cowboy hospitality was welcomed on eclipse weekend.
