Tap Into History pub crawl

The Siloam Springs Museum's second annual Tap Into History Pub Crawl fundraiser on Friday night highlighted current downtown venues as well as the city's history.

About 85 people attended the Oktoberfest-themed event, although the museum is still tallying the final numbers according to Chuck McClary, community outreach coordinator of the organization.

"With increased attendance the second year, we hope that trend continues and this becomes a tradition for the town," McClary said.

The evening began at Inn at the Springs, then guests made their way to Ziggywurst and the Siloam Springs Museum before ending the night at Creekside Taproom. Participants were given three tickets to try an Oktoberfest beer at each establishment.

"Mainly it was just a good time for people to be exposed to places in downtown Siloam Springs that they might not normally go to," said McClary. "That was one of our goals. People had a lot of fun as well."

Those who attended the event were also challenged to a scavenger hunt trivia contest focusing on Siloam Springs history as they walked downtown. This year's question was focused on the two liquor stores in Siloam Springs that sprang up after prohibition and before Benton County became a dry county. The two stores were Kentucky Liquor Store, which was located at what is now Joni's on Broadway, and Silver Dollar Liquor, which is located at what is now Henderson Phillips Employer Solutions, formerly Lee Law Office.

At the museum, guests were given a pretzel and met with chef Erin Rowe for a book-signing of her book "An Ozark Culinary History: Northwest Arkansas Traditions from Corn Dodgers to Squirrel Meatloaf." They also got a chance to take a selfie in an Oktoberfest-themed photo booth.

A beer holding contest was held later in the evening at Inn at the Springs. Musician Randy Steele provided entertainment at Inn at the Springs, and the band "Dry Spell" provided music at Creekside Taproom.

"People mainly enjoyed each other's company and learning where there were liquor stores post prohibition and pre-dry county," McClary said.

Museum Director Don Warden said that Siloam Springs German history traces back to the Simon Sager family, believed to be the first white settlers in what is now Siloam Springs.

All attendees received a one-year museum membership as part of their ticket price. Membership is valued at $15, which includes a quarterly newsletter, a 10 percent discount in the Museum gift shop and email notices of upcoming events.

For more information about the museum and upcoming events, visit www.siloamspringsmuseum.com or the Siloam Springs Museum Facebook page.