Welcome to one of the Best Small Towns in America!
During the weekend of April 24-26 you won't just be in the home of the 41st Annual Dogwood Festival, you'll be in one of the best small towns in the Country, according to Smithsonian Magazine. www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/The-20-Best-Small-Towns-in-America.html for the listing and reasons our community was featured as No. 14 on their prestigious list. Last year we were designated a "City of Distinction" by the Arkansas Municipal League.
Are we proud? Sure. As you enjoy the great weather (it almost never rains on the Festival), be sure to get across Mount Olive Street and visit the businesses clustered around the Historic Downtown core area adjacent to City Park. They welcome Festival vendors and customers alike and many have special offers this weekend just for you.
Our merchants downtown and all over the city appreciate the economic impact of the Festival, which is usually more than $3 million; the Festival's sponsors, vendors, and patrons normally generate an estimated $500,000 in direct cash, making it the largest income-producing event in our city each year.
The Festival Committee has worked hard all year since the last Festival to bring high-quality art, crafts, gift items, top-notch food vendors, and fine family entertainment to the "sturdy, copacetic downtown in this state-recognized historic community" (Smithsonian's words). Co-chair Rob Headley, of Superior Finance, will be teamed again this year with Co-chair Ken Gutierrez. We salute their wonderful partnership with the City Board of Directors and administration.
As usual, vendor booths will be located west of the bridge, and the circular walking route down University, across the low-water bridge on Maple Street, and into Bob Henry Park will provide scenic views and pass by many booths. The return route coming out of Bob Henry leads along Sager Creek in front of the Masonic Lodge, a short jaunt on College, and in front of the Inn at the Springs -- formerly the English Tea Room. New attractions this year include several new food vendors, helicopter rides and a wagon ride for the kids. The popular Arkansas Game and Fish aquarium will be here. And -- most exciting of all -- we will have a performance by up-and-coming young entertainer EmiSunshine on Saturday at 5 p.m. Come to enjoy Emi and plan for festival food for dinner.
Of course, there are other attractions to keep you busy after Festival hours, like Dogwood Junction -- which rents the colorful and family-friendly "surrey bikes" with tops, fringe, gears, and pedals for everyone. You'll see them all over the downtown and the Dogwood Trail. And you don't want to miss "The Dogwood Bed Races" on Broadway Street, at 10 a.m. Saturday. It promises to again be a lot of fun.
We are glad you are here! On behalf of the 450 members of the Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Directors, and 2015 Board Chair Trish Houston we welcome you to beautiful Historic Downtown Siloam Springs.
Wayne Mays
President and CEO
Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce
General News on 04/22/2015