The Dogwood Festival

It's that time of year again! Dogwood Festival Weekend. 

There's all kinds of stuff happening Downtown in the midst of all the festival festivities.

Here are just a few:

The Dogwood Festival Bed Races will be taking place on Saturday.  Head here to find out more.

Books on Broadway will be hosting a book signing for local author Dawn Denton's latest book titled Betzy the Bumblebee.  It's one of my kids' favorite reads these days.  Dawn will be at the bookstore from 10am-noon on Friday and Saturday.

The Dogwood 5K will be taking place Saturday morning.  More info can be found at the Parks & Rec building.  I've got quite a few friends running, so I'll be there cheering them on.

Fratelli's Wood Fired Pizzeria will be open continuously on Friday and Saturday.  This means that for once in a blue moon one will be able to satisfy a 2pm pizza craving!  :-)

Be sure to check out the sidewalk sale at Creative Corner on Broadway.  I saw a picture on facebook that made me quite curious.  They're selling bags full of goodies valued at $10 for only $5.  They're open from 8-5 on Friday and Saturday.

The Cafe on Broadway usually has extra yummy treats freshly baked for the festival.  My mouth may or may not be watering just thinking of them.

And there's more!  But you'll have to head Downtown to explore for yourself.

I'll see you Downtown!

--Karyn

Dogwood Festival Recap

Well, believe it or not, I didn't make it to the Dogwood Festival.  Word on the street is the festival was lots of fun this year.  I planned to go, but my weekend went crazy on me and I never made it Downtown.  Good thing the Dogwood Festival is an annual event.

So, please help a girl out.  Email me some fun Dogwood Festival pictures, and I'll post them on the blog.  Our email address is wordonmainstreet@gmail.com.   Sounds like a plan to me!

I'll see you Downtown!

--Karyn

Weekend Plans

It's going to be a big weekend!  There are two major events going on Downtown.

The Dogwood Festival kicks off Friday morning!  The festival will continue through Sunday afternoon.

This morning we saw people marking off the booth spaces in City Park.

Lots of Downtown businesses are having specials during the Dogwood Festival.  You might want to head to the Downtown Businesses tab to find links to the different websites (There's the book sale at the Library, the book signing at Books on Broadway, extended hours at the Cafe on Broadway, etc.).  There's lots of fun to be had!  Oh, and remember to find the Main Street Siloam Springs, Inc.'s booth at the Dogwood Festival; Farmer's Market stickers can be found there among other things.

And then there's The Royal Wedding.  :-)  Friday morning action is happening at The English Tea Room.  After spending the morning there, I'm sure you'll be feeling rather English.  Keep that feeling going by heading to Pour Jon's for a cup of tea...

...and then head down the street for a British flag notecard at Amandromeda.  Did I mention I'm excited about The Royal Wedding?  :-)

Regardless of which events you choose to attend, it's bound to be a fun-filled weekend!

I'll see you Downtown!

--Karyn

Dogwood Festival Recap

The weekend turned out to be a rainy one!  Of course, a local Siloam-er would expect nothing less than a rainy weekend--it seems to happen most years!

My only chance to visit the Dogwood Festival was on Saturday morning in the drizzle.

Our first stop was at Books on Broadway to pick up our signed copy of Dawn Denton's new childrens' book titled Ruby and Rocket.  If you haven't purchased your copy yet, there are still books available at the book shop.

We enjoyed a piece of cake while looking through the pages of our new book.

The rain didn't stop us! We were hungry for carnival food!

We headed over to the food trucks and chose a snack to share.

That corn dog hit the spot!

We heard from friends that Saturday and Sunday afternoons were beautiful weather-wise and perfect for exploring downtown.  Oh well, we had our fun in the rain!

The Dogwood Festival

This weekend marks Siloam Springs' 36th Annual Dogwood Festival, and downtown is busy preparing to host the event.  This morning I wandered around Broadway Street, and here are some of the things I discovered...

Even nature is cooperating!

The dogwood trees are in full bloom...

...craft vendors are setting up their booths near the gazebo...

...food vendors are preparing to make their festival treats near the Community Building...

...and the local downtown businesses are getting ready, as well!

I'm sure the list below is far from complete, but please find listed a few details regarding our local year-round businesses.

Cafe on Broadway

I tasted the yummy Frosted Dogwood Sugar Cookies made by Shelby especially for the weekend.  You might want to get a cookie as soon as possible; I'm pretty sure they'll sell out quickly!

Fratelli's Wood-Fired Pizzeria

Special Hours for this weekend:

Friday and Saturday: Open continuously from 11am-10pm

Sunday: Open from 11am-3pm

Friends of the Library Book Sale

Located at the Siloam Springs Library

Friday and Saturday: Open from 10am-4pm

Sunday: Open from 9am-6pm

Books on Broadway

Saturday Sidewalk Sale

Dawn Denton's Book Signing from 10am-12noon on Saturday

Heather Hill Boutique

The permanent downtown location will be open along with a booth near the gazebo.

Local Flair Art Gallery

Stop in for special festival discounts.

Two Gal's Junk 

Swing by for their sidewalk sale.

Amandromeda

Stop in for special festival discounts.

Curves

Dogwood Special: A joining fee discount.

Stop by or call for details

Creative Corner on Broadway

Downtown's newest store will be having a sidewalk sale.

Remember to check the local paper for more Dogwood Festival details.

The 2009 Annual Dogwood Festival

The Top Ten Reasons Why I Love the Dogwood Festival:

10. The Friends of the Library Booksale- this year, I scored a fifteen volume set of 1965 Childcraft books for $4. What a bargain!

9. Kettle corn. Need I say more?

8. "The Stick Man," James C. Taylor- I love the tall walking sticks he makes with carvings of gnarled old men on the handles. They remind me of Treebeard from "The Lord of the Rings".

7. The sheer volume of fried items.

6. The knowledge that, for three days out of the year, I can ride a pony and a Segway
and purchase Pampered Chef products just blocks from my home.

5. The Masonic Lodge is semi-open to the public during the Dogwood Festival, when normally it seems so shrouded in impenetrable mystery.

4. The number of area garage sales triples.

3. Listening to the guy who plays the pan flute.

2. The miniature train, operated by Connie & Willie Misemer and their three Boston Terriers, Sissy, Bud & Morgan.

1. Seeing the beauty of Siloam Springs being enjoyed by so many visitors.

Thank you, Chamber of Commerce, for another great Dogwood Festival!

Parks & Recreation

After some pretty dreary weather, today's gorgeous sunshine prompted us to hit the streets. It was the perfect Siloam day- 75 degrees, crisp blue skies with a few fluffy white clouds, Sager creek merrily flowing.. The after school traffic was in full swing as we strolled down University. Also, some adorable and tiny ballerinas were arriving for dance class at Sherry's as we went by. I can't think of a cuter sight!

Our first stop was the Siloam Springs Parks & Recreation building on Mt. Olive. I must admit, I've never visited before. We were there to register for Iddy Biddy Soccer, and judging by the numerous calls and in-person visits that took place while we were there, we aren't the only ones ready for the upcoming sports season. Parks & Rec employee Peggy Chipman was very helpful and amazingly calm fielding requests. She said that a lot of people are signing up for softball, swim lessons and buying aquatic center passes.

While there, I also saw a flyer advertising the first of the "Second Saturday Music" events. I am a huge fan of these free, outdoor concerts that take place in the gazebo in Twin Springs Park. My father was visiting from Orlando several years ago, and I took him to a Second Saturday show. It was a peaceful summer evening, with lovely folk music, and children catching fireflies on the lawn. We both agreed that it looked like some sort of movie set depicting the perfect small town.

The first concert will take place Saturday, May 9th at 7:30, featuring Shout Lulu Stringband. Be sure to bring your blanket and lawn chairs and enjoy this great musical gift.
After our visit to Parks & Rec, we spent some time at Bob Henry Park, where we saw preparations for the 35th annual Dogwood Festival in full swing. I'm very excited about the festival, taking place April 24-26. It's one of my favorite things about Siloam Springs. Hope to see you there!