Carbondale leaders leaning on 2017 experience for eclipse season [Video]

Carbondale, Illinois, has a population of just under 26,000, but less than a week from the eclipse, there’s a steady stream of cars heading into town.

“I’m super excited,” William Lo, director of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, said. “We’re not going to have another opportunity to have 50,000 people in Carbondale.”

“The energy is palpable in town right now leading up to this big celestial event,” Carbondale spokesperson Amy Fisher said.

At Mary Lou’s Grill longtime owner Marilyn Martin is extending hours and ordering extra food after learning her lesson during the 2017 eclipse.

“We were lined up out the door down the block,” Martin said.

Long lines aren’t the only thing you can expect in Carbondale during the celestial event.

“Our Airbnb’s are about 35 miles from here and …