Summer on the Square closes out with martial arts, orchestra performances
Main Street El Dorado’s Summer on the Square festival series wrapped up on Saturday with some new unique attractions and a showcase of local talent throughout the day.
The child-friendly Fun Zone was back and bigger than ever on Saturday, with splash pads and water slides located throughout the festival area.
Cub Scout Pack 18 was also on location for the second month in a row, handing out information on their troop and, as in July, with their BB gun range set up.
The day was particularly notable for the local talent on hand, beginning with a lengthy demonstration from the Arkansas Moo Duk Kwan Martial Arts school.
The all-ages group braved hot asphalt with bare feet to show off their moves and spar for onlookers.
Local music also dominated the day, beginning with a duo of local students, Carmelo Brown and Mason Halstead, and finishing with Brody McKinney.
Crew members including directors Hannah Faith and Rhett Davis for the upcoming South Arkansas Arts Center production of “Clue” hosted a board game day at PJ’s The Spot throughout the day, inviting those who wish to audition in to meet the production crew and sign up. Later in the day, the Davises helped open the evening entertainment with a live game of Clue alongside Showdown at Sunset cast members. Audience members were asked to participate and solve the mystery as part of the game.
The day concluded with the summer’s final performance of Showdown at Sunset.
The re-enactment this year featured musical numbers; as always, the story of the animosity between Marshal Guy Tucker and the Parnell brothers that resulted in a gunfight that left three men dead and several wounded was recreated.
Finally, to close out both the day and the Summer on the Square festivals for 2021, the South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra took the stage at 7 p.m. to perform music from films including “Wicked,” “Frozen” and “Americano,” along with classical overtures.