SILOAM SPRINGS — Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ “Capital for a Day” event Tuesday included at least one of her cabinet members riding a kayak.

Sanders has declared different Arkansas cities Capital for a Day throughout her time in the governor’s office. Tuesday’s capital designation went to Siloam Springs and included a visit to the nearby Waters of Oklahoma and Arkansas Whitewater Park, a joint venture of the Grand River Dam Authority electric utility and the city of Siloam Springs with the support of the Walton Family Foundation.

The governor did not brave the 1,200-foot channel with eight built-in drop features, including strategically placed rocks and rapids, on Tuesday. However, she has brought her family there and will again, she said.

Sanders made the 10 a.m. stop at the park, known as WOKA, to highlight the state’s outdoor recreation, she said. Shea Lewis, the state’s Secretary of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, did take to the water despite the number of witnesses and camera operators lining the shore during the governor’s visit. The park and its channel are along the Illinois River.

Lewis navigated WOKA’s entire channel Tuesday, mostly successfully.

“I’m a big fan of getting people off their screens and outdoors, especially on the water when it’s hot,” Sanders said in an interview at WOKA. She especially appreciates WOKA’s stages of difficulty, she said. The channel begins with the most challenging obstacles and grows easier along its length, with the option to enter the water anywhere along it. Even the completely inexperienced are able to put in at the park’s lower reaches, said James Thompson, director of customer experience at the dam authority and who oversees the park.

“This is a fine example of two states working together with a city, a community and the private sector,” Sanders said. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the city of Siloam Springs, the Grand River Dam Authority and other partners gathered in May at the Siloam Springs Kayak Park to dedicate a 15.5-mile stretch of the Illinois River as the Upper Illinois River Water Trail. The stretch runs between the Chamber Springs access east of Siloam Springs and WOKA Whitewater Park in Oklahoma. It is the first water trail in Northwest Arkansas and the first in Arkansas to cross state lines.

The governor brought the rest of her cabinet members and much of her staff to Siloam Springs on Tuesday for public and private meetings. About 150 people came to a standing-room only meeting with her at the “barn,” a private event center belonging to state Rep. Randy Torres, R-Siloam Springs. The governor introduced her cabinet members so residents with particular issues knew who to talk to after she made her remarks.

“We absolutely love her and think she’s doing a great job,” said Doris Henderson, a retired teacher for the Siloam Springs School District who attended the event at the barn. “I especially like what she’s done in my wheelhouse, which is education.” Henderson said she supports public education and believes the governor has struck a good balance of improving public schools while allowing parents other options. “I have seven grandchildren in private schools now because of the LEARNS Act,” she said, referring to the education package passed in 2023 with the backing of the governor.

The size of the crowd at Torres’ event shows the depth of support the governor has in the Siloam Springs area, city resident Crystal Marschewski said while attending the event.

“I believe she does a lot for the state and is sincere,” Marschewski said. “You can tell by the people she’s talking with. It shows she has a lot of support in our area.”

The governor praised both Torres and state Sen. Tyler Dees, R-Siloam Springs, in her remarks at the barn Tuesday, saying they were valuable allies in the Legislature.

Doug Thompson can be reached by email at dthompson@nwaonline.com.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders talks Tuesday with James Thompson, director of customer experience at WOKA Whitewater Park, during her visit to the park south of West Siloam Springs, Okla. Go to nwaonline.com/photo for today’s photo gallery.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders surveys the scene Tuesday during her visit to WOKA Whitewater Park. Go to nwaonline.com/for today’s photo gallery.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders talks Tuesday with whitewater enthusiasts during her visit to WOKA Whitewater Park south of West Siloam Springs, Okla. Go to nwaonline.com/photo for today’s photo gallery.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders encourages a capsized kayaker Tuesday during her visit to WOKA Whitewater Park south of West Siloam Springs, Okla. Go to nwaonline.com/photo for today’s photo gallery.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)

A kayaker walks past Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (left) during her visit to WOKA Whitewater Park south of West Siloam Springs, Okla. Go to nwaphoto.com for today’s photo gallery.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (center) watches kayakers Tuesday during her visit to WOKA Whitewater Park south of West Siloam Springs, Okla. Go to nwaonline.com/photo for today’s photo gallery.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)

A kayaker heads upstream Tuesday at WOKA Whitewater Park while Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (second from right) tours the park.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders cheers kayakers Tuesday during her visit to WOKA Whitewater Park south of West Siloam Springs, Okla. Go to nwaonline.com/photo for today’s photo gallery.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders cheers kayakers Tuesday during her visit to WOKA Whitewater Park south of West Siloam Springs, Okla. Go to nwaonline.com/photo for today’s photo gallery.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders cheers kayakers Tuesday during her visit to WOKA Whitewater Park south of West Siloam Springs, Okla. Go to nwaonline.com/photo for today’s photo gallery.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (center) and guests tour Tuesday WOKA Whitewater Park south of West Siloam Springs, Okla.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)