MusicFest, the seven-time Arkansas Festival of the Year winner, will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year with three days jam-packed with more attractions and the biggest musical lineup ever. Presented by Main Street El Dorado and title sponsor Murphy USA, MusicFest XXX is set for Sept. 29-Oct.1, 2017.

In a recent press release, three stages in Downtown El Dorado, Ark., will feature more than 30 musical acts, headlined by ZZ Top, X Ambassadors, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Smokey Robinson with the South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Brad Paisley, Hunter Hayes, Chase Bryant, and Ashley McBryde.

Main Street El Dorado is teaming up with the Murphy Arts District to host the headliners for MusicFest in the new MAD amphitheater on Locust Street.
"We're two groups putting together one big event for El Dorado. We're excited," said Beth Brumley, executive director of Main Street.
Concerts in the amphitheater will begin at 6PM on Sept. 29 with Robert Randolph and the Family Band and at 5:30PM on Sept. 30 with Ashley McBryde. Ticket prices are $35, plus sales tax. Tickets may be purchased in the MAD box office at 113 S. Washington Ave. in El Dorado, online at eldo-MAD.com, or by calling 877-940-3334.
Admission will be free for other MusicFest concerts and attractions on Union Square. However there will be a cost for food, beverages, crafts and some activities. The pearl anniversary of South Arkansas' largest outdoor music event will be held in conjunction with the grand opening of the Murphy Arts District, two blocks south of Union Square.

For the first time since the early 1990s, MusicFest will be expanded to three days. The Miss MusicFest Pageant will make a return following a three-year hiatus. The pageant will be held at 2PM on Sept. 24 in the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium.

New this year will be the MusicFest XXX - Mac's Fresh Market Steak Cook-Off. $2,900 in cash and prizes will be awarded, and the overall winner will qualify for the World Championship Steak Cook-Off.
Acrodunk, a team that combines gravity-defying trampoline acrobatics and basketball slam-dunking, is scheduled for several performances on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. The team holds two Guinness World Records and has appeared on the TV talent competition, "America's Got Talent.” Magicians, stilt-walkers, hula-hoopers, a comedy percussion team, face-painting, and inflatables are some of the free activities that will be available in Kids World. Paid MusicFest activities will include a zip-line, bungee jump, laser tag, and mobile video game station.
The cost is $5 each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Unlimited use wrist bands available for $30 on Saturday only.
For a complete schedule of events go to MusicFest.

 

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