Downtown lighting ceremony to kick off holiday season in El Dorado

Tradition: The Salvation Army traditionally launches its Red Kettle fundraising campaign and provides hot chocolate at the Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony, marking the start of the holiday season in El Dorado.
Tradition: The Salvation Army traditionally launches its Red Kettle fundraising campaign and provides hot chocolate at the Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony, marking the start of the holiday season in El Dorado.

Main Street El Dorado and the Downtown Business Association are inviting everyone to “Experience El Dorado for the Holidays,” starting with the 2019 Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony Nov. 21.

The two groups are developing an advertising campaign to help draw people to El Dorado for shopping, dining, lodging and loads of other activities during the holiday season.

Beth Brumley, executive director of MSE, said Tuesday that MSE is excited to team up with the DBA on the campaign, which includes the “Experience

El Dorado” theme and a localized take on the popular “Vacation” movie franchise, specifically, “Christmas Vacation,” and the Griswald family — or the “Briswalds,” as they have been dubbed by the DBA.

A seven-page insert with a holiday postcard motif appears in the latest edition of the El Dorado Insider, a quarterly magazine doubles as the city’s visitors’ and relocation guide.

The annual Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony serves as the official kick-off to the holiday season in El Dorado and this year’s event will mark the return of the Community Christmas Tree, which towers approximately 180 feet over the former KTVE studio on West Main.

Brumley said the ceremony will get under way at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 21 on the east side of the Union County Courthouse with performances by local groups and other activities. She said the traditional flipping of the switch to illuminate the city’s holiday decorations will include the Community Christmas Tree, and State Representative and Speaker of the House Matthew Shepherd (R-El Dorado) will do the honors.

“It’s going to be broadcast on KTVE and they’re going to shoot it at an angle that shows the (courthouse),” Brumley said.

Live performances will include Executive Dance and Fitness, South Arkansas Arts Center, El Dorado Children’s Choir, Parkers Chapel Thespian Troupe No. 8889, Lucy’s Ladies, Keith Owens, Washington Middle School and Dance Connection.

There will be free hot chocolate and free rides on a horse-drawn carriage and the PJ’s Holiday Express Train.

The Salvation Army will also launch its 2019 Red Kettle fundraising campaign.

Immediately following the lighting ceremony will be the Union County Relay for Life luminary ceremony, which commemorates people who lost their lives to cancer and celebrates cancer survivors, Brumley said.

And should the El Dorado Wildcats advance in the state play-offs following Friday’s matchup against Jonesboro, a pep rally will be held on the west side of the courthouse, Brumley added.

The Downtown Holiday Open House is scheduled from 1 until 4 p.m. Nov. 24.

In addition to exploring downtown retail stores, Brumley said shoppers will have the opportunity to take selfies against a holiday backdrop that will set up by Main Street during the open house.

For more information, call the Main Street office at 870-862-4747.

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