Parking Overflows to Fairgrounds as Visitors Flock to Beatrice

BEATRICE - Community members in Beatrice got a unique site over the weekend as they could see license plates from all over the United States. Coworkers from the Minnesota Humanities Center, Alicia Waters and Claire Weaverling, were in town for the eclipse. Weaverling was in Omaha for work, and decided to make the trip down to Beatrice. "And I am tagging along because of all the excitement that Claire had definitely rubbed off, and now I'm here," said Waters. The Homestead National Monument was packed all day long on Sunday, which led to a lot of people parking near the Gage County Fairgrounds. Parking will be available there on Monday, as well, with shuttle busses traveling back and forth to the monument. "We haven't seen a whole lot in Beatrice. We just drove straight through and came to the fairgrounds, but my very first impression was that people were so welcoming. I really appreciated the signs saying 'hey welcome eclipse people' and providing parking for the event, and presenters. It felt very welcoming," declared Weaverling. Buildings open at 6 a.m. for solar eclipse visitors at the Homestead National Monument, with events beginning at 8 on Monday.