Temperatures are heating up and so is the fun with the return of Summer on the Square, which is set for Saturday in downtown El Dorado with a schedule that is packed with family-friendly activities.
Summer on the Square is presented by Main Street El Dorado and Noalmark Broadcasting.
The public is invited to spend the day in the city’s historic downtown for the award-winning Grill Wars cooking competition; Showdown at Sunset, a historical re-enactment; Music on the Square with live bands and other entertainment; the popular Cruise Night classic car show; a concert presented by the Murphy Arts District in the First Financial Music Hall; food vendors, including Kernel Mustard’s Hotdog Cart and Catering and Oh How Sweet Cotton Candy; the Fun Zone with inflatables, big wheel races interactive games and other attractions.
Admission is free.
Attendees are asked to bring their lawn chairs and be mindful of social distancing. Hand-washing and hand-sanitizing stations will be available.
MSE board members have said that other outdoor events, including Shamrockin’ on the Square and May on Main in March and May, respectively, drew impressive crowds as coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions eased and they are hoping to repeat that success with Summer on the Square.
“The response has absolutely been encouraging,” said Beth Brumley, executive director of MSE.
“We had great weather and there were diverse crowds, which we were super-excited about,” Brumley continued. “We had parents and grandparents coming up and telling us they were glad that their kids and grandkids had something to do and we’re super-excited to see what we’re going to do with Summer on the Square.”
SoS is set for the fourth Saturday in June, July and August.
The first installment kicks off at 8 a.m. Saturday.
The schedule for the day is:
• 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., the fourth annual Grill Wars, sponsored by Delek US. Categories include a Double feature Steak Cook-off, a Steak Cookoff Association (SCA)-sanctioned event in which teams will be allowed to turn in two steaks, and compete in the Grilled Cheese Challenge.
Check-in and setup will begin at 8 a.m. in the area of Jefferson Avenue and Elm Street and a cooks’ meeting will follow at 9:30 p.m.
During an MSE meeting June 8, Brumley reported that nine teams had signed up for Grill Wars and MSE was expecting more entrants.
A class will be held Friday for those who interested in becoming an SCA judge.
From 4 until 5 p.m., four-time SCA World Champion Johnny Joseph will prepare steaks that will be sold to the public for $25 per plate, which include a steak, baked potato, salad, baked beans, a roll, dessert and a drink.
Only 100 plates will be sold.
At 5:30 p.m., Grill Wars winners will be announced and awards handed out on the west side (Jefferson Avenue) of the Union County Courthouse.
Participants will compete for cash prizes totaling more than $3,000 and bragging rights.
The Grand Champion of the dual steak cookoff will also receive a PKGO grill, courtesy of Pk Grills and Johnny Joseph Steak Rub. Entry fees are $150 for each steak cook-off ($300 for both) and $25 for the Grilled Cheese Challenge.
To register for the SCA cook-off visit www.steakcookoffs.com.
For more information or to reserve a steak plate, call the MSE office at 870-862-4747. Also, visit the MSE Facebook page of www.mainstreeteldorado.org.
• 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., the El Dorado Masonic Lodge 13, 106 N. Washington, will host a public Open House to celebrate its 175th anniversary.
Take the stairs next door to Merle Norman.
El Dorado Lodge #13 was chartered around 1846, right in the middle of the area’s oil boom. The current Masonic Temple was erected in 1924, while oil was still a hot commodity in El Dorado.
• 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Fun Zone and vendors open.
• 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m., Music on the Square, featuring live music by the Randall Lawson Band.
The Randall Lawson Band is made up of performers with 70-plus years in professional performance. The band plays a range of Classic Motown, rock and country with a few originals thrown in.
• 2:30 - 3:30 p.m., Brody McKinney.
The 17-year-old Smackover native and up-and-coming artist made his debut performance and May 1 at May on Main.
• 4 p.m., Cruise Night, a display of classic cars, hot-rods and other novelty automobiles on Washington Avenue.
• 4 - 5:30 p.m. Crutchfield the Band.
Based in Malvern, Arkansas, Crutchfield the Band is a contemporary Christian group that is led by brothers Matt and Adam Crutchfied. The group’s influences include Need to Breathe and Crowder and mixes rock, pop and country into its sound.
• 6:30 p.m., Showdown at Sunset, a long-running historical re-enactment that depicts life in El Dorado and a deadly gunfight that took place on the courthouse square in 1902.
The re-enactment supports a cast of area actors and chronicles the events that led up to the gunfight, which was a flashpoint in a feud that involved two local families — the Parnells and Tuckers, antecedents of former Arkansas Gov. Jim “Guy” Tucker — and others, including El Dorado business owners.
Showdown is staged on the east side of the Union County Courthouse and is sponsored by The South Arkansas Preservation Society.
• 7 p.m., a MAD concert featuring Tab Benoit, a Grammy-nominated blues singer-songwriter guitarist, in the First Financial Music Hall, 101 E. Locust.
The show will also honor first responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters and health care workers. General admission is $5.
First responders will be admitted free by showing their badges.
To purchase tickets or for more information, call 870-444-3007, visit www.eldomad.com or stop by the MAD box office, which is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday - Friday at 101 E. Locust.
Seating for the event will be arranged in socially distanced pods.
Other COVID-19 safety measures are recommended, including face masks when entering and exiting the building, visiting the concession stand and restrooms and while moving around the venue at any time.