[title subtitle=”WORDS Dwain Hebda
Images courtesy Murphy Arts District, El Dorado, Arkansas”][/title]
Looking for a way to close out your year with a bang? You’re not alone – according to Marketplace.com, travelers have returned in droves after a year on lockdown and are spending more when they get where they are going. Wider vaccinations and travel deals have steadily stoked demand bringing numbers close to, though not at, 2019 levels.
But while things have loosened up considerably over last year, you might not yet be in the mood to battle through airports or cram into airplane seats. Fortunately, The Natural State offers lots of attractions and events over the remainder of the year, perfect for celebrating the season or for just a quick weekend getaway.
Consider El Dorado, which is staking its claim as a major entertainment hub thanks to a thriving downtown and programming by Murphy Arts District (MAD). Joanna Benson, MAD marketing coordinator, has seen the group – and its programming – grow from the ground up.
“I’ve been here since 2016, since it was nothing,” she says. “We weren’t even completely built yet. I’ve seen us grow, definitely.”
When MAD was formed, many people outside of this Union County town thought it was a pipe dream to spend tens of millions on entertainment venues in the hopes of attracting enough performances and special events to pack in the tourists. Sure, the city had enjoyed success with its long-running music festival, but many other festivals were failing and even the home-grown MusicFest was starting to get long in the tooth. Not everyone thought doubling down on entertainment as economic development was the way to go.
By every conceivable measurement, MAD has proven the doubters wrong. Not only has the venue attracted a full slate of national performers every year except 2020, but the enhanced amenities are also well-used by community events and attractions. This includes the centerpiece of the winter season, a public ice-skating rink.
“We started this back in 2019, just something that was an idea that someone had, you know, ‘Hey this would be cool, let’s do it,’” says Joanna. “We did it and it was actually pretty successful. Everybody talked highly of it, it was well-liked by the community, and we had several visitors come from outside El Dorado which is the ultimate goal.”
The attraction straddles the line between MAD and the downtown district, each one feeding the other, Joanna says. She said locals and visiting families alike experience the ultimate in walkable entertainment, visiting the shops and cafes downtown, then making the short jaunt to the ice rink.
“We have a beautiful historic downtown area with lots of little boutique and restaurants that are only a couple of blocks away,” Joanna says. “It’s almost like a Hallmark card; people often tell us ‘Oh my gosh! Your downtown is so cute. I love the historic buildings and the shops were great. People are so friendly here.’”
“Adding the ice rink is just a bonus to that experience, because people can shop and then walk down to the ice rink and skate which is highly unusual in the South. Some days it will be 70 degrees outside, but, you’re skating on real ice. And I do want to emphasize the fact that it’s actually real ice.”
This year, the MAD on Ice rink will operate November 20 through January 2. In addition to the amenities downtown, concessions will also be available thanks to MuleKick@MAD, formerly the Griffin Restaurant.
“They’ll have concessions at MAD on Ice which includes hot chocolate and other things,” Joanna says. “Plus, their main dining room will be open along with the other restaurants that are within walking distance.”
Other family events coming to El Dorado’s award-winning downtown to close out the year include the holiday lighting ceremony on November 18, when former NBA great Karl “The Mailman” Malone will throw the switch at the courthouse. On November 21 is the downtown-wide Open House offering plenty of enjoyment plus other festive attractions. Santa even makes an appearance to the downtown area on November 27. Finally, December 2 features the community’s annual Christmas Parade.
Those looking for more grown-up fare will want to catch one of MAD’s final concert performances for 2021. Comedian Ron White, star of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, plays the First Financial Music Hall on November 11 and classic rock stalwarts Three Dog Night come to town November 20. Christian rock artist Zach Williams will round out the year on December 10 with a Christmas-themed show, featuring special guest Anne Wilson.
Joanna had the following advice for first timers to El Dorado: “People ask us about parking quite a bit, because we don’t have a parking deck and we don’t have a big lot that’s strictly dedicated to concert parking,” she says. “My tip is don’t freak out about parking because the area is really contained. If you’re coming to a show, there’s plenty of street parking. You will only be parking maybe two blocks away at most and it’s free. On rare, rare, rare occasions there will be little pop-up places that will charge, like they’re doing it to raise money for their church group or whatever.”
“That leads me to my other tip: Always wear comfortable shoes. There are so many women who come to shows that I’m seeing in high heels, and I am like, why? The floor that you’re standing on is hard and even though two blocks to your car isn’t that far, the right shoes make all the difference. If I were to give some advice, that would be it.”
For more information on events or for trip ideas, contact:
Murphy Arts District (MAD)
Eldomad.com
870.444.3007
Main Street El Dorado
Mainstreeteldorado.org
870.862.4747
