Annual Festivals

Please see the Community Calendar for specific dates and times.

Spring

May's Mayhaw Festival

The South Arkansas Historical Foundation's Mayhaw Festival is held the first Saturday in May. It is a celebration of the mayhaw berry and features mayhaw jelly, other fine foods, a Dutch-oven cookoff, antiques and entertainment.

The mayhaw is native to low-lying, acid soils of river bottoms, streams and swampland in the South. From mid-February to mid-March, the trees are covered with a profusion of fragrant white blossoms. By early May (hence the name), the branches are loaded with yellow to bright red fruit. When ripe, the fruit resembles cranberries or miniature apples and has a tart, juicy flavor similar to crab apples

But Mayhaw trees aren't the only attraction at this colorful local festival. You can also purchase Mayhaw Festival T-shirts, as well as mayhaw jelly. In El Dorado, the hard work is already done.  Only fun awaits those who attend the Mayhaw Festival at the Historic John-Newton House.

Historic John-Newton House
510 North Jackson
El Dorado, AR 71730
Phone: (870) 862-9890

May's Crawfish Boil

This annual event is held the first weekend in May. El Dorado's Crawfish Boil is held in the historic downtown area across from the Rialto Theater. Come indulge and enjoy!

June's Oil Town Festival

Held in Smackover the second week in June, this event starts Wednesday night with gospel music and ends Saturday with a 5K run, live music and vendors. This family-friendly gathering also includes volleyball, horseshoe competitions and an art show.

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Summer

June - August: Showdown at Sunset

Showdown at Sunset

Witness an historic re-enactment of the infamous Parnell-Tucker gunfight on the Courthouse Square each Saturday of the summer. A cast of twelve actors recreates the events leading up to the gunfight that left three dead and many others wounded, including City Marshal Guy Tucker, the great-grandfather of former Arkansas Governor Jim Guy Tucker. The historic portrayal of life in El Dorado in the early 1900s includes live music prior to the re-enactment. Entertainment begins around 6 p.m. on Saturdays, June through August. More information is available by calling 1-888-921-BOOM or 870 862-4747.

July’s Fantastic Fourth Celebration

This celebration is held in El Dorado during the Fourth of July week.  It features arts and crafts, a 5K run, an antique car show, a kiddie fun run, games and food and ends with spectacular fireworks at dark! For more information, call (870) 863-6113.

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Fall

September’s Ark-La Fest

Held in Junction City, this festival takes place the weekend after Labor Day. This family festival includes a parade, beauty pageant, pet show, arts & crafts, music and more. There are also games, cheerleader competitions and foods for every taste.

September’s SouthArk Outdoor Expo

This fun filled event at South Arkansas Community College in El Dorado focuses on the great outdoors. Exhibitors sell hunting and fishing gear, wildlife art, books, outdoor apparel, recreational vehicles and more.

October's MusicFest

Musicfest

MusicFest has grown from a Saturday afternoon event in 1987 to a two-day celebration jam-packed with activities for the entire family. Music includes pop, rock, blues and country with special guest stars. You will also find food, family activities, arts & crafts, a kids world, a 5K run and a myriad of exhibits.

The annual festival, run by volunteers to benefit non-profit Main Street El Dorado, was created to bring thousands of people to focus on downtown, to reacquaint them with the heart of El Dorado's economic community, and to offer a good time! We welcome our new sponsors and praise those who support us year after year. We can't say thank you enough to our hundreds of volunteers, groups and organizations who perform thousands of tasks before, during and even after the festival.

Performers at Musicfest

MusicFest is just one of the many signs that El Dorado and South Arkansas are alive with enthusiasm, dedication and a zest for living. It isn't just a Main Street El Dorado event, it's a South Arkansas event - and we give the region's biggest party!

MusicFest is run by and benefits Main Street El Dorado, part of a national non-profit program dedicated to the revitalization of downtown and surrounding areas. Since the program's inception, El Dorado's historic downtown has once again become a pulsing center of activity. In addition to its unique shops and restaurants, the area features many interesting and historic sights. Downtown El Dorado has charm and character unique to its heritage; we invite you to share it with us!

November's Downtown Holiday Lights Ceremony

Entertainment and refreshments are provided to those gathered at the Union County Courthouse to light up the streets of downtown. Admission is free.

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Winter

Display of Holiday Lights

El Dorado’s Christmas festivities are more than lights. There’s also a parade. During the holidays, the Christmas lights on the Union County Courthouse in El Dorado lend classic elegance to a wonderful time of the year. Throughout the season you can hear carolers downtown and enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride through downtown El Dorado.

Christmas Parade

The El Dorado parade, which is the largest Christmas parade in Arkansas, annually draws thousands of spectators to view the parade entrants.

You can download an entry form to be in the 2005 Christmas parade by clicking here. Then print it, fill it out and send it to the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce by November 16, 2005. We hope to see you there!

For more specific information on this year's parade, consult the Community Calendar.

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