Branson's Thousand Hills Golf Resort a Choice Pick for Golfers

The Thousand Hills Golf Resort is the most popular golf course in Branson, and a great deal of that is due to its location - it's right off Highway 76 where all the action is: comedy acts, shopping malls and live country music legends.

"My biggest competition isn't other golf courses," said Head Professional Cliff Easum. "My biggest competition is Mickey Gilley."

There are roughly 19,000 rental units surrounding the area, including the condos on the course itself. Thousand Hills is literally in the middle of the tourist hordes that arrive in Branson daily.
Of course, that isn't the only reason Thousand Hills is so popular. It's a public golf course, for one thing, and for another, it is simply a fun play, particularly if you're short on time.

It's a Bob Cupp design with fairways that dip, swoop and twist, falling off to rocky creeks and canyons. It has excellent elevation changes, despite being in the heart of the Branson strip.
It's a very short course - all the better to hurry through so you can catch Yakov Smirnoff's laugh riot.

It measures only 5,111 yards with a par of 64. That includes nine par 3s.

"When they built it, it didn't have a footprint to put a full-sized golf course on," Easum said. "When you start selling land by the foot, you know what I mean."

The land around these parts is so valuable, in fact, that the driving range was replaced by high-rise condos. Much of the course, in fact, has condos looming over it.

That doesn't mean the course is easy. Some of the par 3s are difficult. No. 4, for example, is a 203-yarder over a valley into a tough green. No. 7 is over water - "This is the only hole the little old ladies gripe at me about," said Easum.

No. 17 is 205 yards from the back tees, over water and a marshy area.

"It's a modern, target-style golf course," Easum said. "People see that par 64 on the scorecard and think they're going to tear this place up. Even the good players will get their butts handed to them. We really try to discourage people from playing from the blue tees. It's just so hard."

The greens are Crenshaw bentgrass, subtle with a lot of tricky breaks.

Thousand Hills is a good golf course to test your short game with all the par 3s. It does have some other testers, like the 13th, where a 220-yard drive is necessary to carry the water, and the third hole, a 350-yard par 4 where they blasted the green out of rock. The elevated green sits atop a rocky cliff and must be approached high and soft.

The land on which the course sits was vacant for many years until it was developed. Back in the 1940s, it was the site of a girl scout camp.

Green fees are $59 in the mornings, $52 for seniors and $35 after noon.

The Thousand Hills Golf and Conference Center is close to all the Branson attractions and, of course, has its own golf course. It has a large rental program, with more than 250 cabin and condo rentals, from suites to four-bedroom units.

All cabins and condos have either golf course or wooded views.

The resort has seven indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a fully equipped fitness center, tennis courts and free parking, something you can't always count on in Branson.

Information courtesy of WorldGolf

Showboat Branson Belle Top Attraction for Branson Visitors

The Showboat Branson Belle in Branson, Missouri continually serves up great fun and delicious food. Here's an account from a true visitor, and their experience on Branson's Showboat Branson Belle Dinner Cruise:

We all exited the Showboat Branson Belle with the same question: "How does he make those dogs talk?”

That is Todd Oliver's trade secret, of course, but his Web site assures that it's approved and licensed by the people in Missouri who govern animal performing acts.
...
The singing and dancing are great, but those wise-cracking dogs steal the after-dinner show on the Showboat Branson Belle, a modern version of a 1890s paddlewheel riverboat that offers lunch and dinner cruises on Table Rock Lake.

Oliver is a ventriloquist who performs for the evening shows with his family pets, which he said were mostly adopted from shelters, and if you don't believe dogs can talk you'll just have to go see for yourself.

The evening cruise entertainment also includes Showstoppers, a Broadway-style act, and the Russian Adagio acrobatic dance team. Other acts including comedic magician Christopher James perform at noon.

We started our three-day Branson weekend on the showboat, which holds up to 720 guests and is a model of efficiency. Dinner is brought quickly to your table and you get two meat dishes for the price of your ticket, tender braised beef and chicken cordon blue. You also can ask for a vegetarian meal, or pay a bit more for club room seating with expanded menu choices. Children ages 4 to 11 get the cruise and a kid-friendly meal for half price. As with many Branson attractions, children 3 and younger are admitted free.

My family group included baby boomer grandparents, a 30-something son and granddaughters who are 3 and 11, and all of us enjoyed the food, the show and the scenery. White River Landing, from which the showboat sails, is easy to find and features ample free parking and a couple of nice gift shops. The cruise lasts two hours and 15 minutes and includes a video about the history of Branson and the building of the 278-foot long showboat, which was launched in 1995.

Information courtesy of The Oklahoman

Branson, Missouri Gears Up For Another Successful Season

"Stick to what you know" could be the motto for Branson this year as the Ozark resort town focuses on its wholesome country, pop music and family entertainment roots, plus recent upgrades in shopping and hotels, to ride out the national economic downturn.

Branson tourism leaders are hopeful they can continue a track record of outperforming the national industry, projecting between 2 and 3% more visitors than last year's 8.4 million. That would be just at or above the Travel Industry Association's forecast of 2% growth in leisure travel nationally.

"We are promoting our values and our value," Dan Lennon, vice president of the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, said. "We want people to think about Branson as great place to bring families together."

Branson officials say costs for tourists there are below national averages. The average daily hotel rate is $75.90, compared with a national tab of $103, according to industry research group Smith Travel. The average show ticket in Branson is $29, while Las Vegas shows currently average $130 to $150 per ticket.

During the 2001 recession, Branson saw a 1.4% decline in tourists, but it rebounded in 2002 with 3.5% growth as people stayed closer to home following the Sept. 11 attacks. In the past two years, Branson's numbers grew 14%, while the national figure was 3%.

Tourism expert Steve Morse says Branson stands a good chance of meeting its growth goals this year because many Americans will pick destinations they can drive to rather than fly. With jet fuel even more expensive than gas, airlines have raised fares and cut back on capacity.

"The drive-to destinations will do better than the fly-to ones like Orlando," said Morse, an economist and director of the Tourism Institute at the University of Tennessee.

The two biggest new attractions in Branson this year fit the template of wholesome family fun.
One is a huge new theater with a wraparound stage the size of five basketball courts that will open May 24 for the debut of Noah — The Musical, based on the Biblical story. The $65 million, 2,085-seat Branson theater is the first new location for Lancaster County, Pa.-based Sight & Sound Theaters, which bills itself as "the Christian Broadway."

The family owned theater company specializes in bringing Gospel epics to the stage with massive sets, glossy production values, dozens of actors, and in the case of Noah, 100 live animals and 200 animatronic animals.

Another major newcomer is the $2-million Roaring Falls water ride, which drops visitors five stories. It's part of an expansion at Celebration City theme park.

Morse said Branson and other destinations will likely also profit from tax rebate checks that are the centerpiece of President Bush's $168 billion rescue package for a wobbly economy. The rebates will put up to $1,800 in the wallets of a couple with two kids in the coming weeks.
And higher gas prices mean that people will want to drive to places closer to home.

"When gas prices go up, people in the Midwest say, 'Let's go to Branson instead of Galveston, Texas, or the Gulf,'" Morse said.

That fits Branson's pattern of visitation. About 60% of visitors typically come from more than 300 miles, with an additional 28% from between 100 and 300 miles and 12% from the local area, city officials say.

The resort town is targeting its advertising in smaller Midwestern cities this year to net those vacationers who want to travel no more than a day's drive.

It is pulling dollars it used in the big metro markets of Chicago and Dallas last year to advertise instead in cities such as Omaha and Lincoln, Neb., Paducah, Ky., Champaign, Ill., and Des Moines, said Branson Lakes Area Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Ross Summers.

Peter Herschend, co-founder of the Herschend Family Entertainment company that owns major Branson attractions, including Celebration City, said the focus this year is on the things that have worked for Branson in the past.

"It is not only the theaters. It is the Ozarks, which make Branson unique, the lakes, and the world-class attractions," Herschend said.

He also mentioned a recent addition: Branson Landing, an outdoor pedestrian shopping center on Lake Taneycomo that opened two years ago with its own Hilton hotel and across the street from a new Hilton convention center.

"Strolling around Branson Landing, not just the shopping, is turning into a major attraction," Herschend said.

The Landing has a lakefront walkway, a water and fire fountain, waterfront restaurants and stores from Victoria's Secret to Bass Pro Shops, where you can buy hunting and fishing gear and boats.

The Landing was among the additions in the past few years aimed at drawing more families and baby boomers on top of a traditional clientele that came looking for country music. Newer shows featured more pop music, including the Beatles tribute band Liverpool Legends and Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater.

Information courtesy of USA Today

Branson's Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Attraction adds Grandson to Line-up

The Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Happy Trails Theatre and Attraction is celebrating the start of its fifth season in Branson in a big way, by adding a new performer to the live show.

Joining his father and The High Riders onstage as of April 22 is Dustin Roy Rogers, grandson of the King of the Cowboys and Queen of the West.

Said Roy "Dusty" Rogers Jr., (Roy and Dale's son), "We are thrilled to have Dustin joining the show, to help continue mom and dad's legacy. Music was such an important part of what they did, and Dustin will add a great new element to our performances."

Dustin Roy Rogers also serves as general manager of the theater and museum attraction. Live shows are presented in The Happy Trails Theater at 10:00am and 2:00 pm, every Tuesday through Saturday.

Along with plenty of great cowboy music, Dusty Rogers shares great personal stories about his famous parents. "And who knows, in 2008 you might hear a story or two from Dustin as well," said Roy "Dusty" Rogers, Jr.

In the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum Attraction, housed in the same building as The Happy Trails Theater, you can see Roy's horse Trigger and Nellybelle the Jeep among other rare treasures.

There are also countless photos, costumes, boots and sports memorabilia (including second base from Riverfront Stadium in Cincinatti - reported to be the spot where Roy Rogers' birthplace once stood).

There is even a play area with lots of hands-on activities for the kids.

The Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum was established by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans in California in 1967 and moved to Branson in 2003. The museum attraction is dedicated to preserving the important legacy of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.

As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, the museum relies on private donations to sustain it, although there is a fee upon admittance.

The Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Happy Trails Theater and Attraction is located at 3950 Green Mountain Drive in Branson.

Information courtesy of Branson Daily News

Titanic Museum Celebrates Film's 10th Anniversary

Coinciding with the start of the ocean liner’s maiden voyage, the Titanic Museum Attraction launched an exhibit dedicated to James Cameron’s Oscar winning movie “Titanic” in celebration of the film’s 10th anniversary.

The exhibit, which took about eight months to put together, proudly displays props and costumes from the movie, such as lifejackets, ladies hats, and two garments worn by Kate Winslet in her portrayal of the fictional character Rose DeWitt-Bukater. Visitors can even gaze upon all 11 of the film’s Academy Awards.

But the crown jewel of the exhibit is the authentic recreation of the Heart of the Ocean necklace. The necklace, having 215 diamonds that total 16.6 carats and a 155 carat sapphire, is valued at $250,000. Like the rest of the exhibit, the breathtaking bauble will remain in Branson until the end of the year.

John Joslyn, owner of the Titanic Museum Attraction, said, “We feel that this movie has earned its own place in history and, like ‘Titanic’ herself, will stand forever as a tribute, not only to the great ship and those who sailed her, but to the vision and extraordinary talent of the film’s creator, James Cameron.”

Joslyn was the second person to put together a $6 million ‘Titanic’ expedition and was the first person to produce six hours of ‘Titanic’ television specials. Every now and then he also lent a helping hand to Cameron, or Jim, as he called the director, during production of the movie. “We went back and forth with them, working on a few things,” he said.

Joslyn also said he was able to see an advanced screening of the film.

“It was so great. Everyone was just knocked out,” he said, adding that one of the great things about the movie is that it has made the ‘Titanic’ a part of pop culture.

Information courtesy of Branson Daily News

Branson, Missouri Goes Upscale

Nearly everyone who's a regular visitor has an I-remember-Branson-when story. Here is Bob Allen's version: "When I first came down here, the only things in Branson were the Presleys, Silver Dollar City and bait shops."

Branson started as an Ozark fishing hole, with the Presley family setting up a metal building on Highway 76 in 1967 to provide wholesome entertainment for the sportsmen who used the man-made lakes. That simple start multiplied into some 50 theaters, earning Branson the title of America's live music capital. The evolution is continuing today, and Allen is a part of it.

Allen grew up in Springfield, Mo., where he was friends with Payne Stewart, the pro golfer who died in a plane accident in 1999 at the age of 42. Now, Allen is the club pro for Branson Hills Golf Co., which is putting the finishing touches on the Payne Stewart Golf Club, a tribute to his friend.

"Each hole of the course tells a story about Payne's experience on the tour," Allen said. "The golf course is $27 million, with five sets of tees from 7,400 yards. We can host national events, everything from Tiger to little tigers."

He led the way through the clubhouse, which has dark wood paneling, an outdoor pool and an area that will display memorabilia, including trophies won by Stewart and pairs of his signature gold-toe golf shoes. Everything in the clubhouse will be linen, crystal and silver — "no paper plates and Styrofoam cups," Allen said. "It's all going to be tip-top, Payne would be proud."

The public golf course will be the 12th in the Branson area — joining John Daly's Murder Rock as the latest additions — and cements Branson's role as a golf destination.

Add the upscale shopping at the new Branson Landing, the growing retirement and second-home community, and the recently opened convention center and second Hilton Hotel, and it's easy to see why Branson's backers say it has turned the corner in attracting the boomers needed to fill the vacancies left by fading World War II-era veterans and their spouses.

While the housing industry in other parts of the United States is ailing, Branson's market is holding its own during the national slowdown, said C. Craig Richards, president of Ozark Mountain Bank. "There's a lot of interest from people outside the area who see real estate in Branson as a good buy," Richards said. "The cost of construction is lower, as is the cost of land. People from California or Florida can sell their home there and buy three or four times the home for the money in Branson. We've got a good school system, good health service. That attracts people who are retirees but also families who want to get away from the big city. There's a strong feeling of family values in the area, probably tied to strong Christian beliefs."

The only downside, for Richards, is increased competition. "We've had five new banks in the last 10 years," he said. "They see the same numbers we do as far as commercial development and new home sales. In 1998, there were two homes that sold for over $350,000. Last year, there were more than 30."

And don't forget the new full-size airport scheduled to open next spring, said Dan Lennon, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce. "As soon as you get outside an eight-hour drive to Branson, some people perceive it's difficult to give up a day to get here," Lennon said. "With the new airport, it starts to be more practical for people to fly in. With those further out markets, Branson becomes a weekend getaway."

Branson's annual visitation grew 5.2 percent to 8.39 million last year, Lennon said. Over the last two years, total growth was 14 percent while the rest of the national tourism market was seeing 2 percent annual increases. How those numbers will shake out this year, in the face of high fuel prices and a sluggish economy, was an unknown, he added. Lennon emphasized that the culture that Branson was known for is alive and well. You can still find cornpone humor at the Presleys and Baldknobbers shows, motels still offer "2 for $32.95" in the off-season, go-kart tracks and water slides still line Highway 76, and traffic this summer will crawl as the commercial strip fills with gawkers.

But now you can shop for fancy undies at the Victoria's Secret at Branson Landing, or try out a new boat at the Bass Pro Shop dock on Lake Taneycomo. "The thing that brought the people in the 60s and 70s — the Ozark Mountain experience — that still happens, we've just added these higher amenities," he said. "Fifteen years ago, you'd have the Lawrence Welks. With the boomers, you have Dick Clark, the Acrobats of China, the Liverpool Legends."

The best known side of the town, the live music shows, also has a new player this season. The $65 million Sight and Sound Theater Branson will open May 24 with a stage area of 26,550 square feet, the equivalent of more that five basketball courts. The stage, largest in North America, is 300 feet long and wraps around three sides of the 2,085 seats, giving the audience the feeling of being inside an ark, with all the animals, for a production of "Noah — The Musical."

Sight & Sound Theatres is the nation's largest professional Christian theater company. Its headquarters theater in Lancaster County, Pa., is one of the most-attended live theaters on the East Coast with an annual audience of more than 800,000. Founded in 1976 by Glenn and Shirley Eshelman, the company produces epic biblical stories. Some 100 live animals, 200 "animatronic" animals and 45 human actors will be used in Branson to tell the story of the journey of Noah and his family.

"It's sometimes called Christian Broadway in Pennsylvania," said Joan Chowning, who ushered me into the theater where trainers were working with the live animals. "The employees all profess to be Christians. But we welcome the unchurched, as well as the churched, at our theaters."

Admission for both is $49 an adult, $25 for a teen and $15 for children.

As Allen, the golf pro, mentioned, Silver Dollar City has been around since the beginning. But it also continues to evolve, from a re-created Ozark mining town built above Marvel Cave and featuring arts and crafts, to a quality theme park in a landscaped setting with rides and a full schedule of live entertainment.

The biggest new attraction this season is at Silver Dollar City's sister park, Celebration City, where Roaring Falls, a $2 million water adventure, makes its debut this spring. General manager John Fitzgibbons gave a blow-by-blow description of the new ride: "Twenty passengers go up five stories in a boat, which falls in a 55-degree drop, ending with a splash that gets everybody in the boat, and everybody on the land nearby, wet. It has an Amazon theme, with crocodiles and hippos and fossilized rocks. There'll be fog and a mister going, and Amazon noises."

Celebration City, which is entering its sixth season, now has some 30 rides and attractions, including three roller coasters and a Ferris wheel. The park closes each evening with "Ignite the Night," which uses three projectors to display images on a water curtain, along with lasers and fireworks and music.

"We have a 50-foot Elvis walking on water and singing," Fitzgibbons said. "There's a dance party on the Great Lawn. We get kids, parents and grandparents up and dancing."

Silver Dollar City, which is a short ride away from Celebration City, also has a full schedule of events with World-Fest, April 3-May 4; Bluegrass & BBQ, May 10-June 1; National Kids Fest, June 7-Aug. 10; Southern Gospel Picnic, Aug. 28-Sept. 7; National Harvest Festival, Sept. 11-Oct. 25; and An Old Time Christmas, Nov. 1-Dec. 30.

Lisa Rau, spokeswoman for Silver Dollar City, said the park uses continuing feedback from customers to update attractions and facilities. "The bottom line is: We are not the boss, the guests are the boss and mostly Mom," Rauh said. "Roaring Falls is exactly what they wanted. A big, get wet, whole family, thrill ride."

Information courtesy of St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Water Ride coming to Celebration City

Celebration City is building its biggest attraction since opening in 2003, and the largest new attraction for Branson in 2008.

It’s an Amazon journey through the mists before ending in a five story plummet and it’s called Roaring Falls.

“Roaring Falls is the biggest ride we have added since the park opened in 2003,” said John Fitzgibbons, general manager of Celebration City. “With an Amazon theme, complete with misty fog and jungle sound effects, riders on the adventure will find that the powerful river current carries the boats to the top of a massive waterfall.”

The five-story drop falls at an angle of 55 degrees and is estimated to cause a splash 60 feet high or more. The total ride time is about two minutes long, traveling through 250,000 gallons of water. Construction on Roaring Falls began in mid-January and is expected to be complete in time for the park’s opening on April 18.

Information courtesy of Branson Daily News

Image courtesy of Celebration City

Oak Ridge Boys set to Open Show in Branson

While The Oak Ridge Boys have often been called “America’s Favorite Group,” they are without a doubt one of Branson’s favorite groups as well. The multi-award winning Country, Gospel and pop stars are returning to their Branson roots as they open their 2008 season at a place they called home in the past.

“We’ve been involved in this town for such a long time, and been treated so well here, and this theatre holds such great memories for us, not only because we used to play here when Glen Campbell took a night off, but because we also planted a real oak tree right out in front of the theatre. It’s a thrill to be here with our name on the building,” Oak Ridge Boy Duane Allen said.

The Oaks’ high energy show is complemented by the newly refurbished theatre interior as well as the brand new and extremely high tech lighting and sound system. “We remember what a great venue this is here, with the unbelievable acoustics, and the additional bells and whistles and production elements that have been added, it’s just tremendous. It should make for a great show and we are certainly looking forward to this season,” said Oak Ridge Boy Richard Sterban.

Since they were able to come into town a little early to rehearse and get ready to open their new show Oak Ridge Boy William Lee Golden, got the chance to see the “new” Country Tonight show on Sunday evening. “It’s such an exciting time here in Branson. I was really impressed with what they have to offer here as far as the technology and the production is concerned here. I don’t think we have ever played in a better venue than we have here...it’s exciting.”

Oak Ridge Boys front man Joe Bonsall added what he thought the best thing about Branson was for the group, “I like the family atmosphere here. I know for a fact that the crowd is gonna be appreciative, I know its mom and dad and the kids, and grandmas out there, and I always hope that they go away every night, loving what we have done for them.”

The Oaks’ Branson season runs through December, with nine sets of three-day appearances scheduled. They are also planning to premiere their new Christmas show in Branson before they take it on the road.

Information courtesy of Branson Daily News

April Events in Branson

April 2008 Calendar of Events

C-SPAN American Presidents Museum Exhibit

March 3, 2008 - April 30, 2008

Location: The American Presidents Museum

Created by the C-SPAN Cable News Network and the White House Historical Society, this a one-of-it's kind exhibit on the history of the American Presidency. Only in Missouri twice before, at the 2000 and 2004 Presidential Debates in St. Louis.

"Resin Sculpture & Installation" by artist Neil Ward

April 2, 2008 - April 23, 2008

Location: College of the Ozarks, Boger Gallery

Phone: (417) 334-6411

Ward's work incorporates molded forms made from resin and materials suspended in resin.

WORLD-FEST at Silver Dollar City

April 3, 2008 - May 4, 2008

Times: Closed Mondays & Tuesdays. Open Wednesdays - Fridays and Sundays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Location: Silver Dollar City

Join us as we celebrate the spirit of Ireland with Ireland's Feet of Fire! This elaborate All-NEW Stage Show features live Irish music, champion step dancers and symbolic fire dancing. See this talented ensemble of Celtic Isles performers as they share their country's traditions and folklore on the world's stage.

BransonFest

April 8, 2008 - April 12, 2008

Location: Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater

New location for 2008 at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater!

At the daily "Big Shows" inside, you can sample some of Branson's best shows each day. If you attend all the Big Shows, you'll sample at least 50, yes, 50 shows! No wonder this festival has been named a "Top 100" Event in North America by the American Bus Association since 2004! The five-day event kicks off on Tuesday, April 8th. Activities begin at Noon on the grounds and the first "Big Show" is in the American Bandstand Theatre at 7 pm. Wednesday through Friday, the outdoor activities begin at 9 a.m. and the daily "Big Shows" are at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. On Saturday, the final Big Show is at 2 p.m. Individual show tickets and packages are available.

Titanic Kick-Off/Third Season

April 10, 2008

Location: The World's Largest Titanic Museum Attraction

Major celebration -- in honor of ther 1912 April 10 maiden voyage.2nd annual Ham Radio Operators to broadcast from Titanic all over the world including Belfast, Newfoundland and Southampton England. Honorary guests to visit from Belfast, Ireland. Titanic honors James Cameron's Titanic movie, 10th anniversary of its release -- See for the first time Kate Winslow "Rose" dresses from the movie and the "Heart of the Ocean" necklace.

Persian Gulf War Cease Fire

April 11, 2008

Phone: (417) 337-8387

Admission: Show tickets will be half price only on April 11, 2007 for soldiers who served during that time. This day commemorates the Official Cease Fire in 1991 of the Persian Gulf War and will be dedicated to the soldiers who served in Iraq during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Ceremonies and recognition of soldiers will be held at Branson Fest and the Welk Theater. All soldiers from Desert Shield and Desert Storm need to go by the Branson Veterans Task Force Booth at Branson Fest to get information and leave their name. For more information contact Steve Weyher.

3rd Annual Titanic Princess Tea Party

April 12, 2008

Times: Noon to 5p.m.

Location: The World's Largest Titanic Museum Attraction

Admission: $13.50 per child, 17.00 per adult

This event sells out at least two months ahead. We have room for 500 young ladies.

AREA '57 CRUISE IN & Drive-In Movie Night

April 18, 2008 - April 20, 2008

Phone: (417) 332-1960, (877) 588-1957

Branson Collector Car Auction

April 18, 2008 - April 19, 2008

Location: Branson Convention Center

Phone: 800-335-3063

Springtastic Show Spree

April 21, 2008 - April 27, 2008

Admission: Available on-line only.

Fans can see ten of their favorite shows in Branson during the Springtastic Show Spree week. Shows include productions such as Jim Stafford, Yakov, Mickey Gilley, Twelve Irish Tenors, Legends in Concert, Baldknobbers Jamboree, New Shanghai Circus, The Hughes Brothers, Broadway!, The Haygoods, Country Tonite, Magnificent 7 Variety Show, The Dutton's and many more.

Kewpiesta

April 23, 2008 - April 27, 2008

Location: Bonniebrook Park

Phone: 417-561-1509

Kewpiesta is a celebration of Rose O'Neill's famous Kewpie dolls. While enjoying the Kewpie's take a tour of Rose's home Bonniebrook.

Branson Landing's Spring Fashion Show

April 26, 2008

Times: 1 pm

Location: Town Square, in front of the Landing Fountains

Please join us for the Branson Landing Spring Fashion Show. You won't want to miss these exciting spring fashions on display during the Fashion Show from more than 10 Branson Landing Merchants. Each participating retailer will also supply an item from their shop to be raffled off in support of The Hiding Place and our local Crisis Center. With your donation, you will receive a ticket and the chance to take home a new spring fashion of your own. Everyone is a winner in this raffle - because not only will your ticket help in the support of two local charities, but it will also earn you a wonderful discount towards your purchase at the participating shops that day.Be sure to check back for more information and updates on this exciting new event.

Information courtesy of Branson Chamber of Commerce

Magnificent 7 Brings on the Summer Fun

There is too much fun to be contained at Branson’s White House Theatre as summer rolls into high gear!

“Don’t be surprised if Doris Day, J-Lo, Judy Garland, or even Cher comes to your table to wait on you,” says Magnificent Seven Variety Show headliner Tamra Holden. “And the Secret Service took two people out of the lobby last night, and I haven’t seen them since.”

The Magnificent Seven Variety Show has always touted an impressive four course meal, but never has it been delivered by such an array of musical talent. They are all here; June Carter, Janis Joplin, Marilyn Monroe, Karen Carpenter, Paula Abdul, and even Madonna, sweeping in with a flourish, a smile, and an enormous sense of fun to serve you one of the finest meals in town. New for this year, dinner consists of succulent Prime Rib and Grilled Chicken Breast, paired with mashed red skinned potatoes and steamed vegetables. The dessert parade, featuring Champagne Cake drizzled in caramel and chocolate, is a show stopper that delights old and young alike!

In order to get in to the best variety show in Branson, you will have to make it past several cagey Secret Service agent that will be conducting random metal detector scans, retinal scans, background checks, and a few other checks that we have not been given clearance to mention here. If you are lucky enough to avoid the agents, you may get yourself photographed in the middle of a presidential press conference with such notables as John McCain, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Ronald Regan, JFK, and even George Washington! For the staunch Republican supporters, George Bush, Jr. has made himself available for a short time. Says Joe Tinoco, also the show’s headliner, “Everywhere you turn, it’s crazy! I saw Janice Joplin talking to Doris Day while Jennifer Lopez poured coffee. It’s insane! The coffee is really good, though.”

Now through the end of July, kids at the Magnificent Seven Variety Show will enjoy drink specials with “crazy” cups at concessions, a colorful “Uncle Sam” ice cream dessert just for them, and an interactive Magnificent Seven Variety Show that will leave them shouting, stomping, and ready for more! “If you have to choose one place to take the entire family for a great time, AND you want to avoid the traffic, this is your show,” says Tamra. “It is hands down fun from the moment you walk in the door!”

You can also catch the Dixieland Breakfast Show this summer featuring Three Time “Piano Player of the Year” Tracy Heaston and the hottest horns in Branson as they take you back to the Jazz Band era, revisiting Dixieland classics, popular favorites, a Patriotic Salute, swinging Gospel, Broadway hits, and much more. Serving up a hearty country breakfast, they will put a smile on your face and have you “hand slappin” and “toe tappin” to the very best in American music and comedy!

Information courtesy of Magnificent 7 Show