Village Snapshots

Take Five Tuesday

Dr. Hunt in his artifact hat

Ardith Wharry

Ann & Jim Newman with Dave Marks

Fun around the table with friends

Lois Alward & Pat Parker

Play Readers Theatre

Visit Historic Downtown Siloam Springs Art, Nature and 46th Annual Dogwood Festival Await

Have you visited Siloam Springs lately? This vibrant town in far western Benton County has enjoyed continued growth and success over the last decade. Revitalization has made historic downtown Siloam Springs a haven for small business and the arts, while the city itself is full of rich history.

In 1880, Siloam Springs was founded as a town whose abundant fresh-water springs possessed healing properties. Located at the border of Oklahoma, tourists seeking improved health and a summer getaway traveled from Arkansas, Missouri and parts of Kansas to drink from the springs of Sager Creek. John Brown University was founded in 1919 and remains one of the top private Christian colleges in the nation. Today, Siloam Springs offers a relaxed, authentic experience in a nature-rich setting with scenic parks, walking trails, a downtown farmers market, and the Siloam Springs Kayak Park along the scenic Illinois River.

Downtown Siloam Springs is on the Register of National Historic Places. The downtown historic district has shops and boutiques, award-winning eateries, loft living, and the newly renovated Siloam Springs Historic Museum.

Sager Creek, with its rock wall-lined banks, runs through downtown. City parks are lined with dogwoods and dotted with fountains, foot bridges and gazebos. Some of the city’s most popular festivities take place in these major parks, including the annual spring Dogwood Festival.

Dogwood Festival As a matter of tradition, Siloam Springs will host its 46th Annual Dogwood Festival on April 24-26. Held on the last full weekend in April, this award-winning festival draws tens of thousands of people to the parks of downtown.

Exhibitors from all over the U.S. fill hundreds of booths with arts and crafts, handmade items, gifts, vintage items and more. Food vendors and regional entertainers are on hand, and the KidZone provides rides and activities for the young at heart.

Butterfield Trail Village will provide bus transportation on Friday, April 24, to this year’s Siloam Springs Dogwood Festival. Residents and Carriage Club members: make plans to join your friends and neighbors for this relaxing day of exploring Siloam Springs.