Jeremy Mitchell, Freelancer
Special to the Times-Gazette
After street maintenance forced Gold Fest to be held at BG Stadium last year, El Dorado business owners and citizens were thrilled to see the festival return to the downtown area last weekend.
Festival activity flooded the downtown area throughout the week, culminating in a block party on Saturday that was filled with artisan vendors, food trucks, kid’s activities, axe throwing, mechanical bull riding, contests and a beer garden. The evening wrapped up with a free concert featuring Bruno Mars cover band, 24k Magic and World Class Rockers, a band which consists of former members of the bands Boston, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Santana, Steppenwolf and Journey.
Area museums experienced a boost in visitors thanks to a festival passport that encouraged patrons to visit each museum featured to receive a stamp. At the Butler County Historical Society Home of the Kanas Oil Museum, visitors trickled in from the nearby mud volleyball tournament being held in East Park. While many first-time visitors took advantage of the free admission, regulars made the most of the opportunity as well.
Young Hadley Vogelman visited the museum on Saturday with her family. Her father stated the family visits frequently.
“I love it here,” said Vogelman. “My favorite part of the museum is the outside exhibits, like the old post office and stuff.”
At the Coutts Museum of Art, volunteers reported the number of visitors throughout the day numbered into the hundreds.
The World War II History Center welcomed festival goers with an outdoor display featuring World War II era firearms from both the Axis and Allied nations.
The City of El Dorado also used the festival as an opportunity to share information and seek feedback regarding proposals for a new aquatic center and for a new bandshell pavilion. Each issue is being considered separately, but drawings of potential proposals were posted, and community members were encouraged to fill out a survey ranking their preference for each project.
During the evening, the stage events were very well attended. Several contests were held in front of the main stage prior to the two concerts.
One volunteer for Experience El Dorado stated that she was very happy to see the festival return to the downtown area.
“This is where we want to be for Gold Fest,” said the volunteer.
Contest winners from Saturday’s events are listed below.
BurgerCo Burger Eating Contest
Heat 1- Cory Gill
Heat 2- Clayton McClure (Golden Burger Champion)
Walnut River Brewing Warbeard Best Beard Contest
Winner: Todd Smith
Bakery 177 Pie Eating Contest
14 & Over- Jacob Rohr
13 & Under- Riley Austin
Open Division- Newell Marsh
Walnut River Brewing Battle Cry Contest
Winner: Kelli Moore
Mud Volleyball
1st – Dirty Volley
2nd – Geriatric Mudslingers
3rd – Bump Babes
Gold Fest Window Decorating Contest
Winner: Amy Kerschner, Amy K’s Boutique
