Main Street El Dorado has wrapped its 2023 Christmas events and the group is looking ahead to the next holiday season that already includes plans to work with a local business to bring back a new activity that was introduced this year and enhanced the holiday experience in downtown El Dorado.
MSE kicked off the holiday season on Nov. 16 and rolled through the next few weeks by working with the Downtown Business Association to present the Downtown Holiday Open House, Black Friday Pajama Party and Shop Small Saturday.
Downtown El Dorado was bustling with activity on Dec. 9 with Santa on the Square and Pancakes with Santa.
MSE hosted Santa on Square, which was free and open to the public and included a visit with Santa and free rides on the holiday train and horse and carriage around the square.
Families also had an opportunity to snap photos with Santa.
MSE downtown restaurant Barefoot Bistro with a new holiday activity: Pancakes and Pajamas with Santa.
Barefoot Bistro, a new downtown addition that opened in September at 101 E. Main -- which formerly housed La Bella Gourmet Gifts and Delicatessen and later, Pupp's BBQ --, hosted Pancakes and Pajamas on the morning of Dec. 9.
The ticketed event included pancakes, bacon, a choice of milk or orange juice and a "personal experience with Santa."
McDonald said the new activity proved to be successful and the enthusiastic response from the public bled over into Santa on the Square, which followed the breakfast at 11 a.m.
"It was so good. There were so many people downtown during the day. It was hot but it was good," she said with a laugh, referring to the unusually warm late fall day.
"It was the first time we did Pancakes with Santa and with Barefoot Bistro and it went over so well. Everyone was happy and pleased, so it's probably going to become a new staple during the holidays downtown," McDonald said.
While MSE is preparing to wind down following a busy year, McDonald issued a reminder that the holiday train and horse and carriage will continue their rounds on the square this month for paid rides.
Rides on the holiday train are $5 per person and will run from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. on Saturday; 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday; and 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday.
Downtown visitors are advised to be on the lookout for horse-and-carriage rides and prices for the remainder of the holiday season.
The horse and carriage are provided by Randall Clark Farms.
The Holiday Trail of Lights at MAD, another new downtown holiday event, is ongoing through Dec. 31.
The walk-through attraction opened on Dec. 5 in the MAD Amphitheater on Locust Street and includes a nativity scene, the inflatables, "river" that flows through amphitheater, a holiday tunnel replete with lights, a holiday train, an inflatable party room, a giant igloo which can be rented for parties and other holiday props.
The holiday trail is free and open to the public.
Hours of operation and other information about the trail of lights are available at www.eldomad.com or by calling 870-444-3007.
MSE will close its office from Dec. 22 until Jan. 2. For more information, call 870-862-4747.