Deontae Johnson sits on the stairs that lead to the riverfront outside of the Cairo Blues and Heritage Festival September 6, 2024 in Cairo, Illinois
Roy Simelton holds up a peace sign after dancing to the music played at the Blues and Heritage Festival September 6, 2024 in Cairo, Illinois.
Lizzy Waller swings with her parents Jonathan and Karamie Waller and her sisters Hannah Waller on April 13, 2024 at the playground in the square of Coden, Illinois. Jonathan Waller was training for the River to River Relay that would occur on the following weekend.
Daryl and Debbie Gittings dance to the music of the Creole Stomp band Sept. 17, 2024 at the Golconda Shrimp Festival in Golconda, Illinois. The Gittings traveled from Allendale Illinois to visit the shrimp festival. Golconda celebrated its 23rd annual Shrimp Festival on Sept. 21, 2024 with bounce houses, vendors, beer and live Creole music. Although not known for its shrimp, the Ohio river is home to a small species of shrimp, the Mississippi grass shrimp, which only grow about 2 inches long. These shrimp aren’t desirable as food, which is why the shrimp served at the festival are sourced from the gulf coast. Visitors were invited to try the various shrimp-themed foods offered at the festival including garlic shrimp skewers and shrimp tacos or to stop by the museum in downtown Golconda. Many took their boats onto the Ohio river, went fishing or enjoyed time with their family at the corn hole or the bounce houses. But people didn’t just come for Golconda’s food and fun. The Creole Stomp band played for festival goers throughout the afternoon where people could dance or simply soak in the music.
Zitlalli Tomas braids Ana Sanchez’ hair, next to her grandmother Edith Sanchez (left), representing three generations of Cobden residents April 13, 2024 in Cobden, Illinois.
Digital composite image of the different phases of the total solar eclipse April 8, 2024 in Carbondale, Illinois.
Alec Wollensak (left) sets up his telescope to view the total solar eclipse with his family (left to right) Willa, Poppy, Jude, and Sue Wollensak on April 8, 2024 at SIU in Carbondale Illinois. Alec Wollensak brought his camper from the Chicago area and camped over the weekend to view the eclipse.
The earth partially eclipses the moon from the sun, viewed by the bell tower at SIU Sept. 17, 2024 in Carbondale, Illinois. The shadow of the Earth only covered about 8% of the moon during the partial lunar eclipse that day according to Dr. Cori Brevik.
Chuck Newman (left) and Lovie Skinner (right) observe fish in a tank on display at John A. Logan College’s Hunting and Fishing Days Sept. 28, 2024 in Carterville, Illinois. Newman traveled from Evansville, Indiana and visited the event with Skinner, who is from Herrin, Illinois.
Visitors to the Lights Fantastic Parade watch the Lowe’s float as it passes Dec. 7, 2024 on the Strip in Carbondale, Illinois.
Parker Handley (right), a student at SIU, and Jeremiah Jahn (left) dive in the deep end of the pool with their scuba diving gear Jan. 19, 2024 at the Dr. Edward J. Shea Natatorium at the SIU Rec Center in Carbondale, Illinois.
Kristy Summers hoses off hot coals after the annual Iron Pour Nov. 9, 2024 at the Art Foundry in Carbondale, Illinois.
Nahida Islam views the annular eclipse with solar glasses in the Saluki Stadium in Carbondale Illinois October 14, 2023.
A brown bat clings to the roof of Altgeld hall above the heads of passing music students August 29, 2024 at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois.
A group of Southern Illinois University students celebrate and dance at the Holi Celebration on March 25, 2024 outside the Morris Library at SIU in Carbondale, Illinois.
Neelima Bhatt (left), Rin Hasegawa (middle), and Mandeep Redhu (right) put colored chalk on each other at the Holi Celebration on March 25, 2024 outside the Morris Library at SIU in Carbondale, Illinois.
Brandon Fortner guides his dog Buck for a jump in the Super V at the Dock Dog Tank at John A. Logan Sept. 28, 2024 at Hunting and Fishing Days in Carterville, Illinois.
DJ Davis (left) and Terry Hawthorne (right) jump in celebration during a practice October 3, 2023 at the Saluki stadium in Carbondale, Illinois.
Katie Morwick receives an award for her team and their boat the Pink Duckling April 20, 2024 after the Cardboard Boat Regatta on Campus Lake at SIU in Carbondale, Illinois.
Autumn Montague (left) and Shaylee Coon (right) resign to their boat the Pink Duckling capsizing April 20, 2024 during the Cardboard Boat Regatta on Campus Lake at SIU in Carbondale, Illinois.