The "mayhaw" is the small, apple-like fruit of apple, or mayhaw, hawthorn bushes which tend to grow in wetlands. They flower in January, as opposed to March and April like many other hawthorns, so that the fruit ripens by May. The fruit makes a nice jelly. To celebrate the mayhaw, El Dorado has a festival at the beginning of each May. The celebration centers around the John Newton House and spreads up and down N. Jackson Street.

Venders of food, crafts, plants and mayhaw jelly set up for the Festival. You never know quite what you will see there. Sometimes there are folks dressed up in antebellum clothes or Confederate uniforms. There may be livestock. Agricultural or handcraft demonstrations are sometimes seen. It's a fun event for the whole family, providing a glimpse into the history and culture of El Dorado and Union County.