Why the South Arkansas Mayhaw Festival?

The history of the mayhaw is as unclear as the waters that carried its fruit across the southern United States. Very little information is available about this native American fruit, known scientifically as Crataegus aestivalis. Several factors contribute to this historical void: the small size of the mayhaw and the bland taste of the fruit found in the wild, which did not excite early American botanists and explorers searching for classic fruits. Additionally, Indigenous tribes largely overlooked mayhaws. The crop generally ripens suddenly and disappears quickly. The wild trees often grow in remote swampy areas and marginal edges, and their abundant thorns make them difficult to approach.

Thousands of mayhaw trees grow wild in Miller County, Georgia, where festivals are held each year in May to celebrate the ripening of the crop, which is famously used to make mayhaw jelly—promoted as the world's best jelly. The county seat, Colquitt, Georgia, proudly claims the title of the "Mayhaw Capital of the World."

In the late 1970s, while attending a mayhaw festival in Colquitt, Rachel Rowland McKinney envisioned recreating a similar festival in El Dorado. Recognizing the abundance of mayhaw trees in her county, she had the key ingredient and a location in mind.

In 1977, seven local couples, including Henry C. and Rachel McKinney Jr., donated $2,000 to purchase the John Newton Home, an 1849 antebellum house from the Garrett Estate. The South Arkansas Historical Foundation, Inc., was established in part to coordinate efforts to restore the John Newton House.

"Peggy Cyphers and I started the restoration," McKinney often recalled, noting that dozens of people contributed their time, labor, money, furniture, and fixtures to the project over the years. Initial funds for the restoration came from selling items found in the house when the historical foundation first purchased it.

The first event, organized as a fundraiser, featured Mrs. McKinney's chicken spaghetti and small loaves of bread. This was followed by a pioneer dinner served on tables made from sawhorses, which included Mrs. Rachel's fried chicken, black-eyed peas, slaw, and cornbread.

Once the Newton Home was fully restored and listed on the National Register of Historic Homes, McKinney, Cyphers, and the foundation continued their mission by establishing the South Arkansas Mayhaw Festival. This block party, held around the Newton House, celebrates the mayhaw berry and Rachel's recipe for jelly made on-site and showcases Union County's musical heritage and delicious food.

This year, the festival will expand into the historic garden district of El Dorado for its 33rd celebration of the tart little berry on May 3rd. The twice-nominated Arkansas Food Hall of Fame festival promises something for everyone, regardless of age, beginning with the traditional Biscuit Breakfast and Mayhaulin' 5K Run & Walk at 8 a.m.

Mrs. Rachel, always dressed in her signature pink, believed that a community's true spirit shines through when good food and joyous times are shared. Her determination and enthusiasm continue to inspire the festival, where we strive to bring together some of the best food, artisans, and lively entertainment for the people of South Arkansas and beyond.