Temperatures are heating up in El Dorado and so are plans for the long Fourth of July weekend.
Local residents and out-of-town visitors will have their pick of a bevy of events that are planned throughout the city to commemorate America's independence.
"Back in the Days" will lead off the celebration with multiple days of activities June 30 - July 3.
Presented by the Georgia-based My'StiQ Entertainment, Mayor Veronica Smith-Creer and other groups, Back in the Days was launched in 2018 to offer a variety of activities for the entire family.
The events is aimed at children and adults who live in El Dorado and out-of-town visitors, including former residents who return for other local events, including family and class reunions, that are scheduled around the July 4 holiday.
The goal of Back in the Days, organizers have said, is to pay homage to the rich tradition and legacy of "homecoming" that has been built by El Dorado Days -- a biennial homecoming celebration that is nearing its 60th anniversary.
Smith-Creer and Terry Davis -- an El Dorado native and co-owner of My'StiQue Entertainment, an event management company -- have said Back in the Days is designed to complement El Dorado Days, which also kicks off next week.
He drove home the distinction between the two groups while presenting a funding request to the El Dorado Advertising and Promotion Commission in March, calling El Dorado Days "one of the longest African American running traditions in the city."
El Dorado Days draws hundreds of people to town every two years -- most of whom are alumni of Washington High School (now Washington Middle School), which served Black students during the days of racial segregation in El Dorado.
Davis cleared up confusion among A&P commissioners about the two events, saying that Back in the Days is an annual event that seeks to enhance already popular and highly anticipated events in the city, including El Dorado Days, the L.C. and Hazel Ross Memorial Scholarship Benefit Golf Tournament and the city's public fireworks display, which Smith-Creer worked to revive in 2020.
He said Back in the Days partners with other groups and promotes other events that are scheduled around the same time.
To help showcase the city, organizers host Back in the Days activities in venues across town.
Davis said he has heard positive feedback from local residents and visitors about the mix of paid and free activities that appeal to children and adults.
Kickbacks, youth empowerment summits, a youth football camp with former NFL players and outdoor activities have pulled in the youngsters.
Adult-oriented activities include concerts, comedy shows, meet-and-greets, women empowerment brunches and more.
With $4,000 from the A&P commission to help promote Back in Days, organizers have worked to plan more of the same this year.
During an El Dorado City Council meeting June 9, Davis said he has fielded inquiries from Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and California about Back in the Days 2022.
All activities are open to the public and organizers are inviting the community to attend.
Some activities are promoted by Back in the Days and organized by other groups.
Activities include:
June 30
• 5:30 p.m., "Cigars and Sundresses - The Meet-and-Greet" networking event, The Haywood El Dorado hotel, 210 S. Washington. Admission is free and there will be a cash bar. Legends Cigar and Vape Lounge in Ruston, Louisiana, is a sponsor of the event. Smith-Creer and Isaac Greer will host the meet-and-greet.
• 8:30 p.m., "It's a Vibe - Open Mic and Hookahs", Guud Vibez, 426 E. Main. Admission is $5 and capacity is limited.
July 1
• 9 a.m., the 25th annual L.C. and Hazel Ross Memorial Scholarship Benefit Golf Tournament, Lions Club Municipal Golf Course, 420 E. 19th St. The event will include a two-man scramble with cash prizes awarded to first-, second- and third-place winners. Organizers are asking for a $60 donation to compete in the tournament. For more information, call Joe Berry at 870-315-0001, Greer at 432-314-5712 or Rod Reynolds at 870-440-0026.
• 3 - 9 p.m., Alumni Day Party and Fish Fry, Elite Bar and Lounge, 104 E. Cedar. The event will include a DJ, karaoke, a Spades and dominoes challenge and drink specials. Admission is a $10 donation.
• 7 p.m., Scholarship Legacy Dinner Gala, El Dorado Municipal Auditorium, 100 W. Eighth. Guest speaker will be J.B. Billingly of Noalmark Broadcasting. Admission is a $25 donation. To purchase tickets, call Wanda James at 870-866-3256 or Barbara Jamerson at 870-814-3148.
Proceeds from the day party and dinner gala will also benefit the L.C. and Hazel Ross Scholarship Foundation. Donations may also be mailed to 1307 S. Texas Ave. in El Dorado or sent to https://cash.app/$LCAndHazelRoss. For more information, call 713-702-9223.
• 8 p.m., The Front Cover Band, Elks Lodge, 1525 E. 19th. Admission is $20. The Elks and Back in the Days are presenting the event.
July 2
• 10 a.m. - noon, Horse Play, Morris Manor, 6747 Magnolia Hwy. The event features outdoor activities for children, including kickball, volleyball, fishing and horseback and ATV rides. Admission is free and the event is open to children of all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Lunch will be provided.
• 7 p.m., The All-White (attire) Affair, El Dorado Municipal Auditorium, 100 W. Eighth St. Headlining the show will be R&B singer Tucka, a Louisiana native whose musical style is influenced by Barry White and R. Kelly. Known as the "King of Swing", Tucka became a regional favorite in 2007 when he sang lead for Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band and went solo a year later. He has opened for 70s soul singer Lenny Williams and rapper Mystikal. With a sultry brand of R&B called "pillow talk", Tucka hearkens back to the "mood music" from the past five decades. He has released three albums -- "Love Rehab" in 2009, followed up by "Forever King" in 2011 and "Love Rehab 2" in 2015. There will also be performances by other regional acts, including West Dawn, DaLock Band and Benito. Back in the Days is teaming up with Mr. Mike's Productions to present the concert.
Tickets are $35 for general admission and $75 for VIP. Sales end June 30 and July 1, respectively. Tickets are available at Mr. Mike's CDs and Tapes in El Dorado. Also, call 870-866-7441 or visit www.eventbrite.com.
July 3
• 7 p.m., Soul Sunday Comedy Show, featuring comedians Don "D.C." Curry, J.J. Williamson and Friends: Live at the Boom Boom Room!, First Financial Music Hall, Murphy Arts District, 101 E. Locust.
Curry, a Fort Worth, Texas, native is a standup comedian and actor who rose to fame in the 90s on BET's Comic View, a weekly TV program that showcased standup comedy. He went on to host the show in 2013. Curry is perhaps best known for his roles in the movies "Next Friday" and "Friday After Next" and as "D.C." in the 90s sitcom "Grace Under Fire."
A native of Mississippi, Williamson is a comedian, writer and actor who has opened for Cedric "The Entertainer" and appeared in the 2004 feature film "Johnson Family Vacation", in which Cedric starred.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Jeremy "Jayo" Owens will host the event.
Tickets are $35 for general admission and $75 for VIP seating and sales end June 30 and July 2 respectively. A limited number of VIP seats are available. Tickets may be purchased online by visiting www.eldomad.com or www.eventbrite.com.
• Dusk, public fireworks display, Union County Fairgrounds, 1430 E. 19th St. The event is free and open to the public. The display is sponsored by Standard Lithium.
For more information about Back in the Days, call Davis at 404-542-1565 or Smith-Creer at 870-315-0004.
Don "DC" Curry
JJ Williamson