July Summer on the Square activities moved to August
Fall, winter events to go on
With the coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis ongoing, Main Street El Dorado has had to revamp its schedule of events for 2020 and the group is continuing to adapt and adjust as they map out the remainder of the year.
MSE board members discussed the matter at length during a regular meeting Tuesday. The meeting was held via Zoom, an online video
conferencing service that MSE has been using to host its meetings since the COVID-19 outbreak.
MSE has canceled events that had been scheduled for late winter and spring — Shamrockin’ on the Square and a revival of Bugs, Bands and Bikes — and curtailed its annual summer events.
Summer on the Square — which typically includes Showdown at Sunset, Grill Wars and the Summer Concert Series (which is presented in a partnership with the Murphy Arts District — had been set for June 27, July 25 and Aug. 22 but MSE first canceled the June installment, citing concerns about COVID-19.
Showdown had already been omitted from the lineup — the first time in more than 20 years that MSE has not staged the historical re-enactment of a deadly gunfight that took place on the streets of El Dorado in 1902 as part of a long-running feud between two local families, the Parnells and the Tuckers (antecedents of former Gov. Jim “Guy” Tucker).
With state-issued COVID-19 restrictions and a Showdown actor and a producer/ script-writer moving away from El Dorado, Beth Brumley, MSE executive director, said it was difficult to plan the event and get the cast and production crew together to rehearse this year.
Main Street agreed to roll on with the July and August installments of Summer on the Square as state officials began lifting some health and safety restrictions regarding large, outdoor gatherings.
But after further consideration and reported surges in COVID-19 cases around the country, MSE decided to move activities that had been set for the July installment of Summer on the Square to Aug. 22.
Brumley said organizers had opted against hosting Grill Wars, a grilling competition that features a different meat each month, in August because of soaring summer temperatures.
But because teams had already signed up for the steak cook-off in
July, coupled with the popularity of the Steak Championship, a statewide competition that is part of the Steak Trail of Champions, Brumley said MSE agreed to keep the cook-off on the schedule for August.
Teams may still sign up for Grill Wars. The entry fee is $150 and teams may enter the Appetizer category for an additional $20.
More than $2,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to winning teams.
For more information, call Holly McDonald, MSE adminstrative assistant, at 870-315-5139 or send an email to assistant@mainstreeteldorado.org or visit mainstreeteldorado.org or MSE’s Facebook page.
Jimmy Lewis and the 8 Second Ride and Identity Crisis will perform live during the August event, starting at 10 a.m. People are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs. Health and safety guidelines will be enforced.
MSE also discussed other upcoming events on Tuesday.
Brumley said Airstreams on the Square is still slated for Sept. 10 13.
For the past two years, MSE has teamed up with the Arkansas Razorback Airstream Club to host airstreamers from several states.
The group camps out on the Union County Courthouse Square to promote the airstream lifestyle.
Airstreamers raise money for a local charity and allow public tours in their rigs.
The event is typically held the same weekend as the SouthArk Outdoor Expo, which has been canceled for 2020.
McDonald said 24 airstreamers signed up for the 2020 event, including a registration that came in on Tuesday, but one participant has had to pull out because of personal/family reasons.
“So we have 23 that will physically be here right now,” McDonald said.
With the cancellation of the Outdoor Expo, Brumley said MSE will work with Arkansas Razorback Airstream Club to possibly schedule other public activities during the group’s four-day stay.
MSE board members also agreed to postpone a MusicFest planning meeting until August. MusicFest is set for Oct. 3 in downtown El Dorado.
Brumley said she was hesitant to hold off on a planning meeting for July, explaining that the postponement may make it difficult to court sponsors for the event.
Don Miller, chairman of the MSE advisory board, said there still uncertainties about MusicFest because of COVID-19.
“I think the sponsors understand that. We can put (sponsorship) packets together but I don’t think there will be much planning around the event itself until we get a clearer picture of if we’re going to be able to do it,” Miller said.
“Definitely, we need to wait and see. We want to make sure that we’re not going in the wrong direction,” advisory board member Paul Waschka added.
Brumley noted that Medical Center of South Arkansas has reiterated interest in sponsoring the MusicFest 5K Run/ Walk and festival organizers are following up on activities and attractions that have already been secured for MusicFest.
MAD books the musical acts for the festival. Snoop Dogg is set to headline this year’s festival.
Brumley said downtown holiday events for Halloween and Christmas are still expected to go on as scheduled.
She also said the Downtown Business Association is planning a promotional campaign to highlight downtown businesses and encourage families to do their back-to-school shopping downtown.