SouthArk Outdoor Expo canceled, COVID-19 concerns cited
Foundation already planning 2021 event
The South Arkansas Community College Foundation announced the cancellation of the 2020 Outdoor Expo Tuesday, citing health and safety concerns due to COVID-19.
“We’re very disappointed,” said SouthArk Foundation Director Cynthia Reyna. “The decision to cancel didn’t come lightly for the Board of Directors … but we strongly believe it’s the best decision we could have made for the community.”
This year’s event, which was scheduled for Sept. 12, would have been the 22nd annual Outdoor Expo. Last year’s iteration of the Expo garnered the SouthArk Foundation recognition at the Arkansas Festivals and Events Association Conference and Trade Show, where the event was bestowed with the Festival of the Year award, along with first-place finishes in the Volunteer of the Year and Best T-shirt categories.
“That really had us excited to make this year’s Expo even bigger and better,” Reyna said. “We plan to come back next year full force.”
Reyna said that while planning for the following year’s Expo typically starts the day after the event, in light of the cancellation, the Foundation is already looking to the future and next year’s iteration of the event.
Some vendors had already signed up to participate in this year’s Expo, and the El Dorado Advertising and Promotion Commission had pledged $3,000 towards the event, according to past reporting by the News-Times.
Reyna said Tuesday she was contacting vendors and the Commission to return fees and funding.
She said the cancellation is particularly concerning since the Outdoor Expo is the SouthArk Foundation’s premiere fundraising event. Funds raised through the Expo go towards scholarships for SouthArk students and special initiatives for the college.
“Last year, we netted a little over $40,000. In past years, depending on the number of sponsorships we had, we’ve netted $60,000$70,000,” Reyna said. “If individuals and companies are still interested in continuing to support the Expo and make a contribution, we of course welcome that. … We’re going to continue to do fundraising and prominently post acknowledgment on social media for any companies that contribute.”
Reyna said those interested in donating to the SouthArk Foundation should visit southark.edu/giving.
Reyna said the Foundation was particularly excited for the annual Withrow Family Rib Cook-Off, which last year brought around 40 participants. Other activities planned for this year’s Outdoor Expo included the Major Ronald Wayne Culver Hero Walk/Run 5K and Kid’s World. A car show and photo contest are also typically featured at the Expo, along with presentations from the El Dorado Police and Fire departments and myriad vendors supplying hunting, fishing, camping and industrial goods.
SouthArk is due to resume classes on August 17. The college has not yet released a plan for resuming on-campus learning in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but President Dr. Bentley Wallace said Monday that they do plan to have students on campus for class and that administration officials are working to develop contingency plans in case the school needs to pivot due to COVID-19 concerns.
Reyna said the 2021 Outdoor Expo will likely be hosted the first Saturday after Labor Day, which will be September 11, 2021. For more information, contact the SouthArk Foundation at 870-864-7130 or foundation@ southark.edu or visit southark.edu/foundation.