The annual Siloam Springs Heritage Festival is held on the Saturday closest to June 24 (St. John's Day). It is a celebration of history, community and Ozark culture.
The 2011 Siloam Springs Heritage Festival will be on Saturday, June 25.
Details, including vendor forms, are or will soon be available at: http://www.siloamspringsheritagefestival.org
Or email: cleessmuseum@centurytel.net
Heritage Festival and Pow Wow Bring Excitement
to Historic Downtown Siloam Springs June 25
The sound of drums and chanting will fill the air Saturday, June 25 at the 6th Annual Siloam Springs Heritage Festival and Inter-Tribal Pow Wow when the Pow Wow's Grand Entry starts at 10 a.m. In the afternoon, the much acclaimed and multi-talented Bill Peabody's String Band will perform old time Blue Grass and Gospel tunes in the comfort of the air conditioned Community Building. They will be followed by Mojo Sonata, a popular blues and classic rock band that inspires listeners to get up out of their chairs and boogie.
This year's Heritage Festival will take place in the Community Building and City Park, located in the heart of the historic downtown at the intersection of N. Mt. Olive and University Streets. Vendors, exhibitors, and food concessions will be located both in the Community Building and in City Park.
In addition to these attractions, the Dogwood Quilters Guild will be hosting its annual fundraiser, the Airing of the Quilts Show, at the Masonic Lodge the same day. The Masonic Lodge is a stone's throw from City Park, as is the English Tea Room. After seeing the Quilt Show, visitors can drop by the English Tea Room for tea and scones and the chance to see several ladies demonstrating lace-making and spinning.
Children will enjoy the festival's Kid Zone, which features several inflatables, as well as the chance to see local flintknapper Jim Howell demonstrate making arrowheads the old-fashioned way, using only his hands and rocks. There will also be pony rides and other children's activities.
Heritage Festival coordinator Cynthia Lee notes that: "We have a strong focus on history, community and traditional lifeways; this is not your average arts and crafts festival. We host walking tours of the historic downtown, living history performances, exhibits of antique and vintage items, including Arkansas Civil War currency, and re-enactors in historic garb.
The tradition of an annual summer gathering began on June 24, 1880, when the founding of Siloam Springs was first celebrated. The yearly celebrations of the founding of Siloam Springs came to be called "The Annual Picnic." The Annual Picnic went through various ups and downs and eventually evolved into the Siloam Springs Heritage Festival.
For additional information call: 479-524-4011; email: siloamspringsheritagefestival@gmail.com; or visit: www.siloamspringsheritagefestival.com