Main Street discusses rebranding, upcoming events

Main Street El Dorado met yesterday to discuss downtown projects and summer plans.

They were unable to reach a quorum with 11 voting members absent, so it was an informal meeting.

Present members discussed an ongoing proposal to have art and art-based activities around downtown. Some of the ideas mentioned included competitions for children and industrial artwork to invoke El Dorado’s rugged history.

“I like the idea of highlighting South Arkansas businesses and things that make us unique,” said Bruce Butterfield, Main Street El Dorado Board president, noting that none of the proposals were set in stone.

Also discussed was a recent visit from Main Street Arkansas to work on rebranding efforts downtown.

“Working with the (Downtown Business Association), working with (Murphy Arts District), he found a way to bridge all three organizations through the color palette and design things, just tying it all together,” said Paul Choate, former board president, of the Main Street staff work. MSA created a presentation with marketing and rebranding ideas, which can be found on Youtube.

Executive Director Beth Brumley was absent from the meeting, as she was attending the Governor’s Conference on Tourism in West Memphis, Arkansas. El Dorado will host the event next year.

MSE and the Downtown Business Association will team up to stage Downtown Church Tours on March 29 before the Casting Crowns concert at the Griffin Music Hall.

Butterfield said about 750 seats were filled at the Shoji Tabuchi concert Sunday, and that MSE will consider other similar events in the future. Tabuchi’s fans in Texas and Louisiana came for the show, including a bus of 50 from Jennings, Louisiana.

“There’s an appetite for family-friendly entertainment,” Butterfield said.

The board also selected dates for MusicFest this year, with the concert series planned for Oct. 18-20. No acts have been announced yet.