The Haywood Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, clarified comments in a recent News-Times' story regarding an upcoming New Year's Eve party and the regulations of the city's entertainment district.
The New Year's Eve Block Party, presented by The Haywood, will kick off at 7 p.m. on Dec. 31 in the area of Washington Avenue and Locust Street.
The event is free and open to the public and is the first community New Year's Eve celebration in more than 20 years.
The night will include live music, a DJ, a New Year's countdown and ball-drop, 360 camera, prize drawings/giveaways and more.
Lance Jonio, operations manager of The Haywood, recently told the News-Times that streets will be closed to traffic in the area of South Washington and Locust and attendees will be allowed to bring their alcoholic beverages outside to make merry and watch the ball drop in the area, which is a part of the city's entertainment district.
Jonio later clarified the statement, pointing to the city ordinance that regulates the district.
Ordinance 1875 allows for the open-carry and consumption of alcohol within the district, which is roughly bordered by Pony and Locust Streets on the south end; Cleveland and West avenues on the west end; Hill Avenue between Pony and Oak streets on the east side: and Oak Street between Hill and Cleveland avenues to the north.
The western border runs primarily along Cleveland Avenue, with the exception of an area between Cedar and Locust streets that juts out to South West Avenue.
The boundaries of the district are marked by signage and yellow crosswalks.
In September, the El Dorado City Council amended Ordinance 1875 to prohibit alcoholic beverages that are purchased outside the district, per a request from El Dorado police Chief Kenny Hickman.
Jonio noted that block party attendees who purchase alcoholic beverages in The Well Bar, full-service bar, inside The Haywood will be allowed to bring their drinks outside within the perimeter of the event and the entertainment district.
"You may bring your drink from the bar, not your own, outside. We wanted to clarify that our bar abides by the rules of the entertainment district," Jonio said.
Last month, the city council granted a request to extend the hours of the city's entertainment district to accommodate the New Year's Eve Block Party.
The normal hours for the entertainment district are effective from noon until 2 a.m. on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and holidays.
The city ordinance allows organizations with special-event or temporary permits to request an extension of the normal, effective hours for the district.
Jonio said families may bring their children to the party; however, children are not allowed inside The Well Bar or the adjoining, outdoor patio.
The bar is open to patrons who are 21 and older.
Starting at 11 p.m., champagne will be available for $5 for each serving from the bar. Jonio said organizers are also looking to set up portable bars to sell drinks throughout the night.
Drinks and bar appetizers, including cheeseburger sliders, will be on sale at The Well Bar from 9 until 11 p.m.
Food trucks will be onsite to offer more food options, as will a stand selling novelty items.
For more information, call The Haywood at 870-677-6303.