The holiday season is in full swing in downtown El Dorado and the Downtown Business Association is issuing a reminder that Friday is the last day to participate in one of several seasonal activities.
Voting ends Friday for the "Best Christmas Ever!" downtown window decorating contest.
The community is invited to help decide the winner of the contest, which began Nov. 17, and to celebrate the holidays by helping others.
Window displays must showcase the "Best Christmas Ever!" 2022 holiday theme for El Dorado.
Displays will be judged on visual impact, creativity and overall use of the theme. Prizes will be awarded to first-, second- and third-place winners.
Votes may be cast by donating canned goods and other non-perishable foods, blankets, coats and pet items, which may be deposited in boxes that are set up at participating businesses.
One item counts as one vote and residents may donate as many items as they would like. The donations will go to local nonprofit organizations that serve the community.
The window with the most donations will win the first-place prize.
Businesses that are participating in the contest include All About Flowers, Almost Blonde, Amber Myers Agency, LLC - Shelter Insurance, Charlie's Corner, Diamond Nutrition, Main Street Antiques and More, Main Street Pizza, Martha's On the Square, Purely Creative, Shelly's Shoes, Spa on Main, Southern Realty Group, The Haywood El Dorado - Tapestry Collection by Hilton, The Pottery House, Sports Alley, Too Spoiled Rotten and Wildcat Nutrition.
The closing of the window display contest will follow the El Dorado Christmas Parade, which is set for 7 p.m. today.
Downtown serves as a popular gathering spot for spectators as the parade caravan starts on the north end of North West Avenue and winds its way south on North West Avenue before turning east on West Main and heading north on Jefferson Avenue to disband.
The El Dorado Christmas Parade is believed to be the largest Christmas parade in South Arkansas.
To close out the 2022 holiday events schedule for the city's Central Business District, the DBA and Main Street El Dorado, both of whom have partnered with the Murphy Arts District for the city's holiday theme and promotional campaign, will present Santa on the Square from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Dec. 10.
MSE is encouraging parents to bring their kids and their wish lists to meet Santa and take free photos on the east side (Jefferson Avenue) of the Union County Courthouse.
Free holiday-train rides will start in front of PJ's Coffee.
Southern Realty Group will hand out cookie kits "for all the good little girls and boys to decorate at home" and Barton Library will host Story Time on the southeast corner of the courthouse.
MAD on Ice will continue until Jan. 2 in the MAD Amphitheater.
MAD on Ice features an actual ice rink that has drawn throngs of people from El Dorado and surrounding areas, Arkansas and other states for the past three years and has been doing the same this year since opening for the season on Nov. 19.
Admission is $14 per person for "All-Day Skate," plus a $3 skate rental fee.
For additional information, call the MSE office at 870-862-4747 or MAD at 870-444-3007. Also, visit www.mainstreeteldorado.org, www.eldomad.com or the MSE or DBA Facebook pages.
The DBA's Facebook page is Downtown El Dorado.