Airstreams head to Main Street next month
Airstreams on the Square is ready to roll Sept. 10 13 in downtown El Dorado and though the setup will be different this year due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the community is invited to “Rock Around the Flock.”
Main Street El Dorado is partnering with the Arkansas Razorbacks Airstream Club for the third annual event.
In 2018, El Dorado became the launch site for the first, and so far, only, such event in Arkansas.
Airstream groups work with local communities to host the nontraditional camping events in downtowns across the nation to help boost traffic for momand-pop retail shops, raise money for charities in the cities they visit and to interact with residents of those cities by exposing them to and promoting the Airstream lifestyle.
Airstreams on the Square has drawn participants from multiple states, including Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio and Maryland.
In 2019, 22 RVs set up camp for three nights around the Union County Courthouse Square.
By Tuesday, the deadline to register for this year’s event, 25 RVs had signed up for Airstreams on the Square 2020, said Beth Brumley, executive director of MSE.
“Most have two (people) but a couple have four, so we’re expecting anywhere between 60 and 70 people,” Brumley said.
Airstreamers may still sign up and pay a late fee so a few more RVs may be added to the list between now and Sept. 10, she said, noting there is a maximum capacity of 29
RVs, per an event plan that was approved by the Arkansas Department of Health.
Brumley said MSE is excited to be able to move forward with Airstreams this year.
With the spread of COVID-19, MSE has been forced to cancel several events this year.
In an announcement last week, MSE and the Murphy Arts District shared the disappointing news that MusicFest, the area’s largest outdoor event, had been postponed until October of 2021.
The cancellation delivered another blow to MSE’s 2020 budget, as MusicFest the group’s largest annual fundraiser.
Because of the public health crisis, MSE has not been able to host a fundraising event since the Harlem Globetrotters exhibition last February in the Wildcat Arena.
Since its inception, Airstreams on the Square has coincided with the annual SouthArk Outdoor Expo, which is held at the El Dorado Conference Center, two blocks south of the downtown square.
The 2020 Expo has also become a casualty of the coronavirus. Organizers announced last month that the event has been called off this year.
Upon hearing the news about the Expo, MSE board members set about planning other activities for Airstreams weekend, while pulling others.
Campers will begin rolling into town at noon Sept. 10. Washington and Jefferson avenues will be closed between Main and Oak streets and Elm Street will be blocked between Cleveland and Hill avenues, Brumley said.
The Downtown Business Association will use the MSE golf cart to shuttle customers, who will have to park off the square, to downtown businesses.
To support downtown businesses, airstreamers will participate in a promotional campaign in which they will receive a “passport” to be stamped with each purchase in a downtown store.
Passports that are filled will be entered into a drawing for a prize giveaway, Brumley said.
From 5 until 7 p.m. Sept. 10, the Junction City American Legion Auxiliary will host a cookout and sell plates with a hamburger or two hot dogs, chips, dessert and a drink.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will help support Union County veterans.
Those who are interested in purchasing a plate for $10 are asked to pre-order by Sept. 4.
An outdoor/drive-in movie (“Grease”) is set for the night of Sept. 11 and a Sock Hop/Karaoke night is scheduled for Sept. 12. The public is invited to both events, which will be held on the west (Washington Avenue) side of the Union County Courthouse.
Attendees are asked to wear 1950s attire for both activities, Brumley said.
Those who attend movie night are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and face masks will be required when social distancing is not possible.
The Flying Tamale Food Truck will be on-site during the showing of “Grease”. Plates will be sold for $10 each and popcorn and floats will also be available.
On Sept. 12, Woods Catering of Camden will be selling plates from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m. Sept. 4 is the deadline for pre-orders. Plates are $15.
Open house tours of campers are typically a part of Airstreams weekend but the activity has been scrapped this year because of COVID-19.
The price of admission is usually canned goods that are donated to local food pantries.
Instead, Brumley said airstreamers will bring their own canned goods to donate to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church’s food pantry.
For more information or to order plates in advance, visit the MSE Facebook page or website at www.mainstreeteldorado.org. Also, send an email to Brumley at director@mainstreeteldorado. org.