Activities celebrating Independence Day weekend and the city of El Dorado kicked off Thursday and will roll through Sunday.
However residents choose to observe the holiday weekend, city officials are encouraging residents to exercise safety precautions.
With a theme of “The Year of Perfect Vision”, weekend activities got under way yesterday with a Throwback Thursday Meet and Greet at B’s Place, 508 S. Washington, and a party at The ELKS Lodge, 1525 E. 19th.
Activities will continue today, starting at 9 a.m. with Friday Fun Day, the 23rd annual L.C. and Hazel Ross Scholarship Foundation Benefit Golf Tournament at Lions Club Municipal Golf Course, 1500 E. 19th.
The entry fee is $25. Proceeds will go to the scholarship foundation.
Using her M.A.Y.O.R. Sunshine moniker, Mayor Veronica Smith-Creer is teaming up with MyStiQue Entertainment, an Atlanta-based event management company that is owned by El Dorado native Terry Davis, to present several activities at venues around the city to showcase the El Dorado and highlight attractions and points of interest.
Sims Mortuary also serves as a sponsor of activities.
Smith-Creer and Davis invited other groups who planned activities for the weekend to cross-promote their events, such as the L.C. and Hazel Ross Scholarship Foundation activities, and add them to the overall “The Year of Perfect Vision” events schedule to offer local residents and visitors to the city with a variety of things to do in El Dorado.
Activities are being held in homage to El Dorado Days, the biennial homecoming celebration that draws scores of El Dorado natives back home.
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, El Dorado Days was canceled this year, the first time the event has been canceled since it began nearly 60 years ago in California.
One of the most highly anticipated events for the weekend is a public fireworks display that will begin at 9:15 p.m. Saturday at the Union County Fairgrounds, 1430 E. 19th.
It is the first public fireworks display to be held in El Dorado since 2012.
Smith-Creer, who is serving her first term in office, said planning for the fireworks show has been ongoing for a year and the event is supported by donations from Murphy USA, Murphy-Pitard Jewelers and the El Dorado Golf and Country Club.
The mayor said many local residents have expressed enthusiasm for the return of a large, public fireworks display in the city and while she has received mostly positive feedback about the event, there has also been some confusion regarding another event that is scheduled for the same night at the fairgrounds.
Gates open at 8 p.m. for the Saturday Night Live Fourth of July Concert, featuring Rodney Block and the Collective and Front Cover in an outdoor show.
“I want people to understand that the fireworks are free. You can pull in on the parking lot and it will be done with music. Tickets for the concert are $15 in advance and $20 at the door,” the mayor explained.
“The gates (for the concert) will open at 7:30 (p.m.) and the show starts at 8:30 (p.m.) We’re going to start with Rodney Block and we will finish with Front Cover,” she continued.
Smith-Creer said the fireworks should last approximately 15 minutes, adding that the activities at the fairgrounds will be broadcast on local radio stations KMLK (98.7) and KIX 103.
Fire Chief Chad Mosby said the El Dorado Fire Department will have an engine company on site during the fireworks display as a precautionary measure.
Smith-Creer and Mosby said that as residents celebrate this weekend, they should also be mindful of COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.
“We’re asking that everybody at least stay by their own car — no roaming — so we can practice social distancing,” Smith-Creer said, adding that such guidelines will be enforced at other activities during the weekend.
Added Mosby, “As far as COVID-19 goes, people just need to be responsible for their safety and well-being and keep that in mind for others.”
Noting that holidays are usually festive occasions that revolve around social activity, such as cookouts, Mosby urged people to wear face masks if there is not not adequate space for social distancing.
Most new cases of COVID-19 have reportedly stemmed from people clustering up during social activities, the fire chief said.
He also recommended safety precautions with out-of-town visitors.
“If someone is coming from a potential hot spot area or have been around potential exposures, they need to show self-discipline and maintain self-isolation for 14 days,” Mosby said. “Sometimes you have to miss out on gatherings and that’s just about being a responsible citizen.”
The remainder of the weekend schedule of events includes:
Today
• 9 a.m., Friday Fun Day with the 23rd annual L.C. and Hazel Ross Scholarship Foundation Benefit Golf Tournament at Lions Club Municipal Golf Course, 1500 E. 19th.
The entry fee is $25. Proceeds will go to the scholarship foundation.
• 5 p.m., Alumni Mixer, ELKS Lodge, 1525 E. 19th. The event will include a DJ, food and fellowship. Attire is casual and attendees are encouraged to represent their (graduating) class. Admission is $10. Proceeds will go toward the L.C. and Hazel Ross Scholarship Foundation.
• 6 - 8 p.m., Horseplay: Meet the Horses and Ride a Mare with the Mayor! at Stallion Enterprises, 6747. The event will include fishing, four-wheelers, horseback riding and “Let’s Talk”, youth mentoring and empowerment. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be served. Horseplay is open to participants ages 10 - 17 and registration is limited to the first 50 children. Health guidelines will be enforced due to COVID-19.
• 7 - 10 p.m., Kickback: Kids Edition, El Dorado Municipal Auditorium, 100 W. Eighth St. Presented by BlackTay Promotions and Productions, LLC, the event is open for children in fourth - eighth grade and will feature DJ BMoe. The event is limited to 100 people, including children, chaperones and entertainers. Carryout plates will be available.
• The ELKS Lodge, 1525 E. 19th, will host parties today and Saturday. Doors open at 9 p.m. and the party starts at 9:30 p.m. Admission is $7 until 11 p.m. and $10 after 11 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by BMoe and CEO.
Saturday
• 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Soul Saturday Brunch/Day Party at B’s Place. The party will include live music. Brunch will be catered. Attire is “All White is (All Right). Add Some Flare if You Dare!” Admission is $10.
• 7 - 11 p.m., The Suga Shack at B’s Place. Music from the 1950s - 2000s will be played. Admission is $10.
• 8 p.m., Gates open for Saturday Night Live Fourth of July Concert, featuring Rodney Block and the Collective and Front Cover in an outdoor show at the Union County Fairgrounds. Attire is “Dress to Impress But Not to Rest.” Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate.
• 9:15 p.m., fireworks display at the Union County Fairgrounds, 1430 E. 19th.
Sunday
• 2:30 p.m., El Dorado Days Memorial Service at St. James Baptist Church. The service will be live-streamed on Facebook instead of being held in person due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in Arkansas.
• 5 - 9 p.m., Family Fun Day. Families are encouraged to visit city parks.
• 5 - 11 p.m., Super Soul Sunday, a concert featuring blues, southern soul and R&B singers Kenne Wayne, Adrian Bagher, Coldrank and Luster Baker and DJ Magic Mike at The Good Times Backyard Plaza, 1814 Junction City Road. Mr. Mike’s Productions is presenting the show. A limited amount of early-bird tickets are on sale. VIP tickets are $50. Attendees may bring lawn chairs and coolers. Tickets are available at Mr. Mike’s CDs and Tapes in El Dorado; Special Touch in Camden; and LBK’s in Farmerville, Louisiana.
For more information or to purchase tickets for the Saturday Night Live concert, call Davis at 404-542-1565 or visit www.eldoradodays2020.com. For more information about the Super Soul Sunday show or to purchase tickets, call Michael Jackson at 870-866-7441.