Eclipse party lights up Alliance
At Butler Rodman Park in Alliance, the eclipse-viewing gathering took on the atmosphere of a picnic with nearly 200 people attending the event.
Families totted kids, folding chairs and bags bearing snacks. The playground filled with children as adults found spots in the grass nearby.
"We knew that if there was good weather, we'd have a good crowd," said Niki Mcilvain, director of marketing and events coordinator for Alliance City Parks.
The park blocked off one parking lot to accommodate a bouncy house, the Alliance Public Library Bookmobile and a balloon-animal giveaway, courtesy of Texas Roadhouse.
The Alliance Lions Club occupied a large picnic shelter, where they handed out hotdogs, drinks, cookies and chips.
President Bill Prueter estimated they gave away about 300 hotdogs. Member Paul Domino said the giveaway is in keeping with their mission to serve others. The club also provides blindness prevention, distributes eyeglasses and raises funds for pediatric cancer.
Shakiya Golphin said she brought her children to the event because they've been excited since they learned about it in school.
“I wasn't that excited about it, but the teachers had them so hyped up," she said with a laugh. "Plus, it's a beautiful day.
Golphin was accompanied by her sister, Imani, whose toddlers, ages 3 and 1, were too young to understand what was happening. But she agreed that the warm day was worth the effort.
"It's a great day to be at the park," she said.
Rodman Public Library employees James Sedoris and Jenny Petkash gave away more than 75 pairs of eclipse glasses at the event.
Petkash said patrons have been excited about the eclipse, estimating that the library gave away about 1,000 pairs since April 1.
"People are really excited; they were very happy to see us," Sedoris said. "The last time people were scalping, so we're happy to help."
This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: View of eclipse thrills in Alliance
