By Tia Lyons
Staff Writer
With a couple of summer events still to come, Main Street El Dorado is looking ahead to the fall/winter season, which will be punctuated by its flagship fundraiser — MusicFest.
Main Street board members had lots to discuss during a regular meeting Tuesday. One of the more notable items on the agenda was a status report from the Murphy Arts District regarding MusicFest XXXI, which is set for Oct. 18 - 20.
Main Street is partnering with MAD to present MusicFest.
MAD is booking the headliners and recently announced a musical roster that includes Sheila E, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic and Bret Michaels, Gucci Mane, Morris Day and the Time, Toby Keith, Justin Moore, Lita Ford, Sammy Hagar and the Circle and more.
Cardi B, who was named Billboard’s Top Female Rap Artist for 2018, had been part of the MusicFest lineup, but the rapper and new mother canceled the appearance — along with several others, including tour dates with Bruno Mars tour and Lollapalooza —, citing the July birth of daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus with rapper Offset of the hip-hip trio Migos.
Migos headlined MusicFest in 2017, the first year Main Street partnered with MAD to host the event.
Cardi B has since announced that she will return to the stage at the Mala Luna Festival, which will be held the weekend after MusicFest in San Antonio.
On Tuesday, Austin Barrow, president and chief operating officer of MAD, said MAD is working diligently to schedule a replacement act for Cardi B, who had been one of the big draws for MusicFest XXXI.
Barrow said organizers had a promising lead, but learned Tuesday morning “that we’re right back at square one.”
“We’re working hard to get it done ASAP. Fifty percent of the people who bought tickets for Cardi B held on to their tickets because they’re waiting to see who the replacement is going to be,” he said.
“A lot of them bought tickets to other events, so they’re going to come anyway,” Barrow added.
Main Street is focusing on attractions, vendors and musical entertainment for the side stages for MusicFest.
Those activities will begin at 5 p.m. Oct. 19. Admission is free for the “festival portion” of MusicFest.
The MusicFest Pageant, which was revived in 2017 after several years, is set for Oct. 14. The entry fee is $40, and there is an extra cost for side competitions.
Also making a return to MusicFest this year is the 5K/10K Walk/Run. The entry fee is $25 and $30 for late registration (after Oct. 5).
A $20 wristband will grant unlimited to access to the NASCAR Simulator, Pit Stop Challenge, rock climbing wall, cannon ball blaster, joust and mechanical bull.
The zip line and Ferris wheel are not included in the wristband package and will be ticketed individually.
Flight Crew, a jump rope troupe who appeared on America’s Got Talent, will perform at 20-minute intervals throughout the day on Oct. 20, with shows at 11 a.m. and 12:30, 2, 3:30 and 5 p.m.
LanXess will sponsor KidsWorld, one of the most popular MusicFest attractions. KidsWorld is free and will include inflatables, games and face painting.
New to MusicFest this year will be a BAGGO Tournament, an activity that Main Street introduced for its 2018 summer events, Showdown at Sunset and Summer Concert Series.
Board members said the addition has proven to be popular and has drawn players from throughout South Arkansas.
There is a $50 entry fee per team for the MusicFest BAGGO Tournament and a “huge” cash payout for the winners.
Main Street is also joining forces with the Newton House Museum for a Dutch Oven Gathering to help draw visitors to the Musuem on North Jackson during MusicFest weekend.
A historic walking tour, presented in conjunction with the El Dorado Historic District Commission, will be another addition to the festival this year.
Mid-morning and afternoon tours will be offered and will cover downtown locations that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a ride on the city’s trolly bus to tour some historic locations outside Union Square.
The fee for the tour is $5.
Two stages will offer free, live music on the square, starting at 5 p.m. Oct. 19 and 10 a.m. on Oct. 20.
Performers for the PJ’s Main Stage for Oct. 19 are Crutchfield Band, Side Street Steppers and Hispanic Fiesta.
On Oct. 20, local school performances, The Burners, Country Thunder and Jimmy Lewis and 8 Second Ride will take to the Main Stage.
Musical acts will be announced for the Murphy USA Acoustic Stage on Oct. 19.
For Oct. 20, the Acoustic Stage will be used for performances by Josh Walker and the Tannehill Band, Moonshine Mafia, Emily Cole, Zach O’Neil, JT Lee and Hammons, Hooks and Wells.
Main Street board members said space is limited for food and arts and crafts vendors.
For more information, call the Main Street office at 870-862-4747. More details are forthcoming on the MusicFest XXXI website.
Juvenile curfew
MAD has withdrawn efforts to seek a waiver for the city’s juvenile curfew ordinance for MusicFest.
MAD was considering an exemption for minors who may attend concerts that end at midnight or later.
The city had requested more information on the request, and upon further review of the ordinance, which applies to those under 18, MAD notified city officials that it will no longer pursue the matter.
In a letter to Mayor Frank Hash, Barrow wrote that “MAD is under no legal obligation to ensure the waiver of the curfew, as ultimately, as with any other city ordinance, it is the responsibility of the minor and their parent or guardian to ensure compliance.”
Barrow also noted several exemptions in the ordinance that allow minors to legally remain on city streets past the curfew of 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. Sunday — Thursday and between midnight and 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
One exemption is that a juvenile must be accompanied by a parent or an adult who is at least 21 and is not the parent but is authorized by a parent to accompany the minor for a designated period, for a designated purpose and within a specified area.
Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or by email at [email protected].