Download & Print
More than 200 people gathered at the Bandera Natural History Museum to view the 2024 total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8.
Photo by Jessica Nohealapa'ahi
Was Bandera County eclipsed by the eclipse? CVB director and tourism expert says no.
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
“I think everybody got a piece of the pie.”
Although there may not have been as many people concentrated within the city limits as anticipated, Bandera County at least doubled its population during the April 8 total solar eclipse, Bandera County Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Patricia Moore said.
Siting many tourists in town from Thursday, April 4, to Tuesday, April 9, Moore said from her perspective, the eclipse audience was spread throughout the Hill Country.
“That’s not a bad thing,” Moore said. “People on Saturday were scouting where they needed to be. Traffic moved clearly all weekend long, except when the the eclipse was over and cars bottlenecked as people were trying to exit.”
Moore said the Ground Zero event at Mansfield Park did appear poorly attended, however the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church parking lot was full, the courthouse lawn was full, RVers were boondocked from Bandera to Medina, at least 100 cars were parked at Bandera City Park, and many businesses reported they did well, including restaurateurs who said they were busy and sold out.
Responding to criticism that community leaders overhyped the event and some businesses overstocked in preparation for crowds that didn’t come, Moore said the county had to be ready.
“We had to have a plan that could have been acted on immediately. We have been researching for years how other communities were affected. If we had not prepared, it could have been a disaster,” Moore said. “Besides, I don’t think any other April has had this many people.”
No major incidences were reported by the Bandera County Sheriff’s Office, City Marshal’s Office or emergency services, and overall, Moore said, tourists and locals remained calm and patient.
“Any of the people I dealt with recognized the friendliness of the community. There were people here from all over the world, and we showed a new audience that they could come back,” Moore said, adding the economic proof will be in the pudding around June, when sales and hotel occupancy tax numbers are reported.
Although there may not have been as many people concentrated within the city limits as anticipated, Bandera County at least doubled its population during the April 8 total solar eclipse, Bandera County Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Patricia Moore said.
Siting many tourists in town from Thursday, April 4, to Tuesday, April 9, Moore said from her perspective, the eclipse audience was spread throughout the Hill Country.
“That’s not a bad thing,” Moore said. “People on Saturday were scouting where they needed to be. Traffic moved clearly all weekend long, except when the the eclipse was over and cars bottlenecked as people were trying to exit.”
Moore said the Ground Zero event at Mansfield Park did appear poorly attended, however the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church parking lot was full, the courthouse lawn was full, RVers were boondocked from Bandera to Medina, at least 100 cars were parked at Bandera City Park, and many businesses reported they did well, including restaurateurs who said they were busy and sold out.
Responding to criticism that community leaders overhyped the event and some businesses overstocked in preparation for crowds that didn’t come, Moore said the county had to be ready.
“We had to have a plan that could have been acted on immediately. We have been researching for years how other communities were affected. If we had not prepared, it could have been a disaster,” Moore said. “Besides, I don’t think any other April has had this many people.”
No major incidences were reported by the Bandera County Sheriff’s Office, City Marshal’s Office or emergency services, and overall, Moore said, tourists and locals remained calm and patient.
“Any of the people I dealt with recognized the friendliness of the community. There were people here from all over the world, and we showed a new audience that they could come back,” Moore said, adding the economic proof will be in the pudding around June, when sales and hotel occupancy tax numbers are reported.
