People began lining up around 1 p.m. to get into MAD amphitheater’s gates, which opened at 2 p.m. for the third day of concerts during Music Fest XXX.
Downtown El Dorado filled up early Saturday morning with local school performances, followed by a mix of music performers and many other activities.
KidsWorld was very popular, offering a zip-line, bungee jumping, laser tag and more activities for children.
Taking the stage at the MAD amphitheater at 4:30 p.m. was Ashley McBryde, followed by Chase Bryant at 6 p.m., Hunter Hayes at 7:30 p.m. and Brad Paisley at 9 p.m.
Amanda and David Reddick, of Monroe, Louisiana, were spending their second evening in the facility, having seen ZZ Top the previous night. “I think it’s amazing,” Amanda said. “We were in the back last night for ZZ Top, and we could still hear and see everything. It was just perfect.”
Randal and Debra Harrison of Norphlet were also enjoying the amphitheater for a second night in a row. “It’s fantastic,” Randal said. “We were here last night and enjoyed every minute of it.”
Joe Wheeler, also of Monroe, said he had no trouble with parking for the event and was excited to see Brad Paisley.
Teri Philyaw, of Smackover, emphasized how nice the staff has been to her and that she loves the new facility. “It’s something that’s just fantastic for this area,” she said. “I think it will do good if they bring these kinds of acts. There’s a lot of things I’m going to get tickets for that they have on the calendar and I’m a MAD member, so I support it.”
Closing out the night at 11:30 p.m. was Migos in the Griffin Music Hall, which attendees had to be 18 years of age or older to attend.
The MAD celebration will conclude with a free concert at 5 p.m. today by the legendary Smokey Robinson, who will be performing with the South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in the MAD Amphitheater.
The orchestra will begin at 4 p.m.
MusicFest will kick off at 11:30 a.m. with a morning worship service on the Union Square-PJ’s Coffee Stage.
Kaitlyn Rigdon can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].