The 142nd Annual El Dorado Springs Picnic is scheduled to take place this weekend, July 17 through July 20, with a full schedule of events and activities.
The festival will kick off on Wednesday, July 17, at 8 p.m. with the Dance in the Park, featuring Polish Pride/DJ.
On Thursday, there will be a Frog Jumping Contest at 9 a.m., followed by the Tennis Shoe Toss at 10 a.m., Balloon Throw at 11 a.m., Sidewalk Art (bring your own chalk) at 1 p.m., the El Dorado Springs Municipal Band performing at 6 p.m., the carnival opening at 7 p.m., E-Rock Elvis Tribute Band on stage at 7 p.m., Bryce Stanley at 8:30 p.m., and Jukebox Hero performing at 10 p.m.
Friday brings another full day of events beginning with a 9 a.m. Turtle Race, 10 a.m. Hula Hoop Contest, and an 11 a.m. Water Balloon Toss. The afternoon’s activities will start with Wiffle Ball Whack at 1 p.m., and continue with Rising Sun performing at 5:30 p.m., the El Dorado Springs Municipal Band at 6 p.m., the carnival opening at 7 p.m., the Talent Show at 7 p.m., and the El Dorado Springs Ministerial Alliance featured at 10 p.m.
Saturday will be the festival finale and the largest day of this year’s picnic. The day will begin with Run for a Reason, with the Children’s Run at 7:45 a.m. and the main run at 8 a.m. Other morning activities will include the 10 a.m. McDonald’s Baby Contest, themed “Fun in the Sun”, followed by the El Dorado Springs Alumni Meeting at 10 a.m. The afternoon begins with Sam’s Scavenger Scrimmage in the park at 12 p.m.; Lip Sync Contest at 4 p.m.; the El Dorado Springs Municipal Band performing at 6 p.m.; the nightly carnival opening at 7 p.m.; Emily Shinn performing at 7 p.m.; Kamber Cain taking the stage at 8 a.m.; Tiffany McGuirk entertaining at 8:30 p.m.; the El Dorado Springs Picnic Festival Choir at 9 a.m.; a Salute to Veterans at 9:30 p.m.; Picnic Drawings held at 9:45 p.m.; and Ricochet performing on stage at 10 p.m.
Additional Information: Most activities will take place in or around the bandstand at the city park. There will be concessions, arts, crafts and other merchandise available throughout the weekend.
Carnival: This year’s carnival is provided by Fun Time Shows with wrist band prices for $25 in advance at city hall or $30 per night at the picnic. Nightly wrist bands allow carnival entertainment from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Run for a Reason: Registration will begin at 6:30 a.m. Cost for those wishing to participate in the 5K or two-mile is $20 with a price increase to $25 after July 17 at 12 p.m. Children participating in the Kid’s Run are free. Proceeds from this event are slated to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Sam’s Scavenger Scrimmage (Hunt): Teams must register by 12 p.m. and consist of three to five members who are each 18-years or older. Each team will receive one copy of the list of clues and must provide their own digital camera or cell phone for taking photos. One team member must be the designated photographer with all other members being in each photo taken. The clue form will consist of 24 photos, six per page, featuring a small part of an object/area in the city; some of them being easily recognizable. When the location of each is found, a picture must be taken with team members in the photo. The hunt will last one hour with the winning team being the one who collects the greatest number of correct photos. Each team member must park their vehicle outside of the park. No ATVs allowed.
Talent Show: Event check-in is at 6:30 p.m., prior to the 7 p.m. show.
Baby Contest: Registration will be at 9 a.m. with the event taking place at the gazebo and bandstand in the park at 10 a.m.
