Posted on September 5, 2019

File photo

Airstreams: The Wally Byam Caravan Club International arrives in El Dorado for the first-ever Airstreams on the Square in 2018. Two dozen Airstreams from 10 states are expected to being rolling into town today for the second annual event, which will last through Sunday.

For the next several days, Downtown El Dorado will be filled with Airstreams as RV groups begin arriving today for the second annual, local event that promotes the Airstream lifestyle and the economic vitality of small-town America.

Airstreams on the Square kicks off at 1 p.m. today with the setup of RVs from 10 states and will last until they depart Sunday.

Airstream groups work with local communities to host the nontraditional camping events downtowns across the nation to help boost traffic for mom-and-pop retail shops, raise money for charitable groups in the cities they visit and to interact with residents of those cities by exposing them to the Airstream lifestyle.

In 2018, the Arkansas Razorbacks Airstream Club partnered with Main Street El Dorado to launch the such an event in Arkansas and El Dorado as the inaugural site.

The multi-day event drew 22 RVs and before it came to a close, members of the ARAC began making plans to return to El Dorado this year.

It was welcome news for Main Street El Dorado, who has been preparing for the group’s return trip for the past several months.

Beth Brumley, executive director of Main Street El Dorado, said 24 RVs are expected from Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio and Maryland.

“We had one from Oklahoma to cancel,” Brumley said.

As with last year, a bevy of downtown events have been planned over the next few days and they are open to the public.

Airstreams on the Square will also coincide with First Thursday and the SouthArk Outdoor Expo, which is set from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday at the El Dorado Conference Center.

First Thursday — a monthly event during which downtown merchants offer promotions, entertainment, games, music and other activities and remain open later to increase foot traffic — will begin at 4 p.m. today and businesses will close at 7 p.m.

This month’s theme is “Let’s Flamingle” in a nod to the pink flamingo, the mascot of Airstreams on the Square.

Participating businesses and activities include:

• All About Flowers, flamingos with discounts on the bottom.

• Sports Alley, Pin-the-Feather-on-the-Flamingo.

• Shelly’s Shoes, Cactus Ring Toss.

• Mister Tuxedo, a photo booth with a backdrop and props.

• Martha’s On The Square, Flamingo Baggo.

• The Latest Wrinkle, “flock-tails” and a storewide discount.

• The Southern Hippie, Decorate a Cupcake

• The Perfects, a “glampsite” (glamorous campsite), trail mix bar and watering hole.

• Spa On Main, a giveaway for a year’s worth of Botox. The store will also offer discounted spa services and products.

• Southern Threads Boutique, pink refreshments, flamingo-glasses crafts and a basket giveaway.

From 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., a spaghetti supper will be held on Washington Avenue. Plates will be $10 and will include chicken spaghetti, green beans, a roll, dessert and a drink.

Proceeds will benefit Union County veterans. The American Legion, Auxiliary Post 297 of Junction City, will assist with the supper.

Thursday Night Live is set for 8 p.m. with a performance by Sean Michael at The Griffin Restaurant.

Friday

• 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Paint With a Twist. The cost is $35.

• 1 until 6 p.m., Airstreamers will continue to set up downtown.

• 2:30 p.m., Baggo tournament in the Murphy Arts District. The cost is $10 per person.

A pub crawl will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Main Street Pizza. The event will move to PJ’s Coffee at 7:30 p.m. and The Griffin at 8 p.m. There will be live music at every stop.

The cost is $20.

Saturday

• 9 a.m., coffee and Spudnuts with “the Main Street Crew.”

• 9 a.m., SouthArk Outdoor Expo.

• 3 until 5 p.m., open house/Airstream tours. Admission is canned goods, which will be donated to the Salvation Army.

Visitors who bring canned goods will eligible to vote for their favorite Airstream for the People’s Choice Award.

• 6:15 p.m., a special performance of Showdown at Sunset on Washington Avenue.

• 7 p.m., Boot Scootin’, a block party/street dance, featuring live music by Shreveport, Louisiana, band Identity Crisis. The event will be Western-themed.

For more information, call the Main Street office at 870-862-4747 or visit the Main Street Facebook page.

Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or tlyons@eldoradonews.com.