Main Street announces annual seasonal event line up

News-Times
News-Times

Working with the Downtown Business Association, the Murphy Arts District and its sponsors, Main Street El Dorado has lined up several events for the summer and into the holiday season.

The ever-growing list is fluid, Main Street board members said, adding that some events could be expanded and enhanced and others added.

Board members sorted through their upcoming plans during a regular meeting Tuesday.

“We’re busy planning for our summer events, and we’re already looking at MusicFest and the holidays,” said Beth Brumley.

A new event, the Downtown Pub Crawl, was held Wednesday night to help entertain participants in the Delek Tournament for Hope.

The annual golf tournament, which benefits local charities and nonprofit organizations, got under way on Tuesday and will conclude today.

The Pub Crawl offered live music and other entertainment at several downtown venues, including PJ’s Coffee, Main Street Pizza, the Griffin Restaurant/Music Hall, Marilyn’s, the Mink Eye and Hills Pool Hall/Recreation Parlor.

Showdown at Sunset/Summer Concert Series

Next, Main Street will prepare for the 2018 installment of Showdown at Sunset/Murphy USA Summer Concert Series, set for June 23, July 28 and Aug. 25 in the Union Square District.

“Spend the Day in El Dorado” is the theme for the 2018 summer events.

Main Street board members said activities will be added to Showdown and the concert series to encourage people to spend more time downtown and explore downtown shops.

Each month, the day will kick off at 10 a.m. with Grill Wars, a cooking competition that will have a different theme and sponsor for June, July and August.

The theme for June is the Whatley’s One Stop Sizzlin’ Steak Cookoff.

Brumley said the cookoff is a sanctioned event in which the winner will receive a bid to the National Steak Cookoff.

The cost for teams to enter Grill Wars is $150.

Plates will be sold in advance for $20 and will include a grilled steak, baked potato, salad, roll dessert and water.

The competition will be held on Elm, and plates will be available for pickup from 4 until 5 p.m. in the area of Elm and Jefferson.

To enter the cook off or purchase a plate, call the Main Street office at 870-862-4747 or visit Main Street’s Facebook page.

There will also be snow cone and kettle corn vendors and family-friendly games and activities, including free horse and carriage rides, throughout the day.

Showdown — the long-running re-enactment of a feud between the Tucker and Parnell families that led to a deadly gunfight on the streets of El Dorado in the early 1900s —, will begin at 6 p.m. on the east side (Jefferson Avenue) of the Union County Courthouse.

Bruce Butterfield, president of the Main Street board of directors, said the Showdown production will be freshened up this year.

Showdown has been running each summer since 1997.

In 2007, the North American Bus Association named Showdown as one of the Top 100 Events in North America.

Showdown has also received the Community Trademark Award from the Arkansas Festivals and Events Association.

The concert series will immediately follow Showdown at its new venue, the MAD Amphitheater.

The headliner for June will be New Cupid, who is best known for his 2007 hit single and dance, “Cupid Shuffle.”

El Dorado native Jason D. Williams will be the featured performer on July 28, and the theme for Grill Wars will be “The Yardbird Throwdown,” sponsored by Mac’s Tree Service.

There will also be a homemade ice cream contest on July 28, Main Street board members said, adding that ice cream will be given to attendees during the Showdown performance.

Brumley said the headliner for the August concert series will be announced at a later date.

Rosson Phillips Group will sponsor the “Burger Battle” Grill Wars for the month.

A back-to-school bash will also be coupled with the August Showdown and concert series, Brumley said.

Additionally, Cruise Night, a display of classic cars, hot-rods and other novelty automobiles, will be held from 4 until 6 p.m. on the west side of the Union County Courthouse on June 23, July 28 and Aug. 25.

The fall

Board members discussed planning entertainment events to support the 2018 Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout — Symetra Tour on Sept. 14 — 16 and the Murphy USA Classic on Oct. 27.

Also in the fall:

• Airstreams on Main Street is set for Sept. 20 - 23.

The Arkansas Razorback Airstream Club and airstream clubs in the region will be camping out in Downtown El Dorado as part of nationwide camping events that promote the Airstream lifestyle and help stimulate economic development and vitality in small-town America.

A spaghetti supper is planned for Sept. 20. Plates will be $10 each, with proceeds benefitting the American Cancer Society.

A Jimmy Buffett-style street dance is scheduled for Sept. 21 and will be open to the public, a Baggo tournament and Open House for the airstreams are on tap for Sept. 22.

Admission for the Open House is canned goods, which will be donated to local food banks.

• On Sept. 22, a Walk to End Alzheimer’s - South Arkansas will begin at 9 a.m. to help raise awareness and raise money for the disease.

• Main Street El Dorado is planning its 30th anniversary celebration for Sept. 29.

• Plans are under way for MusicFest XXXI, which is set for Oct. 18 — 20.

Main Street is again partnering with MAD to plan the festival, which was held in conjunction with the grand opening of MAD last fall.

As in 2017, MAD will book the headliners, and Main Street will plan the music for side stages and the attractions.

Brumley said Main Street is looking to add more attractions this year.

“We want to make them bigger and better. We had a good turnout last year with the attractions in KidsWorld, and we want to see if we can top that,” Brumley said.

She listed a Nascar simulator, zip line, laser tag and possible carnival ride among the attractions Main Street is looking to bring to MusicFest this year.

“And that takes us into the holidays,” she said.

The holiday season

• Nov. 15 — Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony.

• Nov. 18 — Holiday Open House on the Square.

• Nov. 24 — Shop Small Saturday.

Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].

Upcoming Events