Silver Dollar City Hosts Young Christians Weekend

Silver Dollar City is hosting Young Christians Weekend March 26-28, 2010. This three day event will feature big name concerts, inspiring speakers, praise & worship and, of course, Silver Dollar City’s thrilling rides.

Thousands of youths from across the nation will convene in Branson for this premier Christian event. Visitors will be some of the first to experience the all-new RiverBlast – America’s Biggest Water Battle, plus all of Silver Dollar City’s famous rides like PowderKeg, Fire in the Hole and The Great American Swing will be open as well.

The schedule for Young Christians Weekend is as follows:

Friday Night, March 26: At 8pm, the Virginia based group DecembeRadio will perform. Their music combines guitars and rock melodies with gospel themes.

Saturday, March 27: From 9am-6pm, the park will be open for all day fun. There will also be spirit-filled workshops, amazing speakers and mini-concerts throughout the park. Also, at noon, 3pm & 6pm Doug Compton & Lincoln Brewster will speak at the Echo Hollow Amphitheater.

Sunday, March 28: The park will once again be open from 9am-6pm for all day fun. Worship services will be held at 8:30am & 11:00am and will feature the sounds of 33 miles and speaker Joe White.

Silver Dollar City tickets are on sale now.

Silver Dollar City Opens 2010 Season with Family Spring Break Days

Silver Dollar City is beginning its 50th year with Family Spring Break Days, an exciting event that opens the park to families during the school year’s spring break for extra fun in Branson. Family Spring Break Days at Silver Dollar City are scheduled for March 18-21 & 25-28. The park hours are 9:30am-6:00pm for the former, and 9:00am-6:00pm for the latter.

Families who attend Spring Break Days will be the first to experience the fun of the all-new Tom & Huck’s RiverBlast, a $7 million dollar super soaking water raft ride themed around the adventures of Tom Sawyer & Huck Finn. This new ride will engage riders and spectators alike as super soaker water guns located on the shore and on the rafts.

Of course, favorite attractions like Fire in the Hole, PowderKeg, Wildfire and The Giant Swing will be open as well for thrilling fun.

Special entertainment is planned for Family Spring Break Days and includes the following performers:

Pure Heart – Harmonizing sisters who perform gospel and country tunes.

Doc Gizmo – A fun, interactive & educational science theater presentation for students of all ages!

Sons of the Silver Dollar – Silver Dollar City regulars serve up cowboy songs with a side of humor.

Homestead Pickers – 1880s style entertainment on the front porch of the McHaffie Homestead.

Families that plan to make Silver Dollar City apart of their Spring Break plans should look into the money-saving Silver Dollar City packages that include a 2-day ticket, so your second day is FREE! You can also add great Branson shows like the Dixie Stampede and Branson attractions like Ride the Ducks to your Silver Dollar City vacation package.

Silver Dollar City tickets are also on sale now.

Please note: Only the shows mentioned above will be performing and a limited number of shops will be open.

The Branson Baldknobbers Open 2010 Season Tonight!

Official Press Release form Baldknobbers Theater:

Tonight, March 5, 2010, the curtain goes up on the 51st year of the show that started it all in Branson, The Baldknobbers.

Tim Mabe, the show's producer and comedian "Droopy Drawers, Jr." anchors the funniest comedy team in Branson of Stub Meadows and Hargus Marcel.

"We have added three new faces to the Baldknobbers stage. With the addition of Megan, Dean and Robbie to our already talented cast, this year's show will be lots of fun!"

New to the Baldknobbers stage is female vocalist, Megan McCombs, originally from Pella, Iowa, on steel guitar and dobro is Dean Holman and on drums is Robbie Blackwood. Go to The Cast page at Baldknobbers.com and find out more.

Tim goes on to say, "We are one of the few shows that do an all new show each year. That means all new comedy, new music and even new costumes. And our show is completely live with some of the best singers and musicians in the country."

Brothers Bill, Jim, Lyle and Bob Mabe began Branson's first live entertainment show in 1959 by mixing gospel, country, and blue-grass music with zany comedy. The original Baldknobbers Jamboree created the prototype for shows in what has become the live entertainment capital of the world.

Now over fifty years later, the Mabe Family continues their family legacy of great country music and hilarious comedy as the 2nd & 3rd generations carry on the family tradition of great country music and hilarious comedy. Six members of the Mabe family are joined by eleven other dynamic singers, musicians, comedians, and entertainers who perform your favorite Country Classics, Hot-New Country Hits, and Lots Side-Splitting Comedy. Life Magazine said, "Branson is the Baldknobbers!"

The Baldknobbers Jamboree Show is located on the famed 76 Country Music Boulevard in Branson, Missouri, with performances Monday through Saturday at 8 PM.



Baldknobber tickets are on sale now.

Ride the Ducks Opens New Season in Branson

Ride the Ducks in Branson, Missouri will open for the 2010 season tomorrow, March 6. All new for the 2010 season are six new themed adventures that give visitors new reasons to ride the ducks!

The new themed adventures include:

Ducks N’Bugs: March 6-April 17
Climb aboard Branson’s famous land and water adventure and see what everyone’s buzzing about. We’ve packed the adventure with bugs of all sorts for learning and laughing. Check out our Kid Splash Room with bugs to examine under a magnifying glass and real live ants at work. See the Ozarks as your Captain shares his buggy knowledge, experience Branson’s only Splashdown as you make a beeline for the lake and then drive if you want. Butterflies, ladybugs and more will be showcased in a special exhibit area as your family experiences Quack-tastic fun with a ducks favorite treat – bugs.

Giddy Up Duck!: April 24-May 31
Cowboy up and Splashdown as you see the Ozarks western style. Instead of a horse, your trusty mount for this adventure is a duck that travels on land and bucks right into the lake where you can take the reins and drive if you want. Pin on a sheriff’s star, try your hand at a trick rope and discover cowboy memorabilia in our special exhibit area. As always, your Captain will be full of tall tales and have you quacking Happy Trails as you experience the ride of a lifetime. Hang onto your hat.

Splash’s Family Luau: June 12-September 6
Its summertime and what’s more fun than a family luau duck-style. Grab your shades, throw on a lei and kick back as you see the Ozarks on our famous land and water adventure. Don’t let the grass skirt foul you – your Captain is US Coast Guard licensed and ready for you to hula in the seats. You’ll Splashdown with a dip in the lake and you can drive if you want. It’s Quack-tastic fun for the whole family. Play in the sand, catch bubbles, make a lei and create lifetime memories with Splash’s Family Luau.

Salute to Veterans: September 18-October 31
Celebrate the red, white and blue with our star-spangled land and water adventure as we salute America’s amazing service men and women. See the Ozarks riding an amphibious vehicle based on the famous WWII DUKW design. Quack along to patriotic music and see historic military vehicles as your US Coast Guard licensed Captain shares stories of the brave men who boarded these vehicles in WWII to serve the USA and the women, like Rosie the Riveter, who helped build them. An amphibian travels on land and water and you’ll experience that excitement as you head right into the lake for a Splashdown. You can even drive if you want as we salute America’s veterans.

Ducks Go Boo: October 1-October 31
Hop on a duck for a fun-filled Ozarks adventure full of screams and squeals. Expect tricks from your Captain as we treat you to a trip through our own haunted forest. Watch out for ghosts, bats, spiders and other creepy creatures of the night. Your family will have a howling good time as we spin ghost stories on this old-fashioned duck-style hayride. Decorate your own pumpkin or Trick-or-Treat bag in our Kid Splash Room and watch out for things that go boo. It’s spooktacular.

Holiday Lights…Duck Style: November 5-December 12
Nothing gets you ready for the holidays like a sleigh ride duck-style. We’ve strung the lights and hung the mistletoe for a sparkling light filled adventure you won’t want to miss. Sing and quack along with your Captain as you listen to Christmas favorites and hear stories of Ozarks Christmas traditions. Bundle up as we head through our own lighted forest of twinkling snowflakes, festive candy canes and other holiday favorites. Create a Christmas ornament in our Kid Splash Room as your family creates quack-tastic Christmas memories – you might even sneak a peek at Santa Claus.

Ride the Ducks tickets are on sale now.

Branson Airport Makes Traveling to Branson a Bargain

The Branson Airport has been growing at a steady pace since opening last May, and earlier this year they announced two major additions to its air travel market.

In early February, Frontier Airlines and Branson Airport released information regarding its summer 2010 schedule. Starting April 20, 2010, non-stop service to Denver, Colorado will be offered. Rates will be as low as $79 each way, and travelers who fly Frontier Airlines will be able to reach Branson from more than 50 connecting cities through Frontier Airlines’ Denver hub. Flights will take place Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday.

Then, in late February, the Branson Airport announced that scheduled chartered flights will begin serving five new markets in May on the newly minted Branson AirExpress.

The new airline will offer flights to Austin, Texas; Houston, Texas; Terre Haute, Indiana; Des Moines, Iowa; and Shreveport, Louisiana. Terre Haute & Shreveport will have flights on Mondays, Wednesday and Saturdays; Austin, Houston & Des Moines will have flights those days plus Tuesday & Friday. Branson AirExpress will not offer flights on Sundays & Tuesdays.

The new flight service through Branson AirExpress will begin May 17.

Introductory fares on Branson AirExpress will start at $39 one way for the Terre Haute, Shreveport & Des Moines markets, and $49 one way for Austin and Houston travelers. It will be operated by ExpressJet Airlines using 50-seat Embraer ERJ-145 jets.

AirTran Airways currently operates daily flights between Atlanta & Branson and once-a-week flights between Orlando and Branson.

The Branson Airport is located 10 miles south of the world-famous Branson strip.

Dixie Stampede adds "Gold Rush Jubilee" segment to Show

The Dixie Stampede in Branson is now open for its 2010 season. This is also the 16th Branson season for the show, and as always, the Dixie Stampede is adding something new and exciting to the show.

Each season, the show keeps a majority of the features that makes the Dixie Stampede one of the most popular Branson shows. But, a little something new is always a nice addition and this year’s new segment is the “Gold Rush Jubilee” portion of the show. It will feature new music, comedy and sets as the show celebrates America’s western expansion. Horses, long horn cattle, the aerial spectacle of the “Spirit of the Bird,” cowboys and dancing are all part of “Gold Rush Jubilee.” Prospector Skeeter also drops in as he discovers a golden nugget from which the “Gold Rush Jubilee” is named after.

The Dixie Stampede show offers great, family-style entertainment complete with a delicious four-course feast. The friendly North-South rivalry and patriotic flourishes create a show that visitors want to see again and again!

Dixie Stampede tickets are on sale now.

JEERK to Perform at Hughes Brothers Theatre in Branson

Official Press Release from Hughes Brothers Theatre:

JEERK, international sensation and Sweden’s top Rhythm Artists, kick off their action-packed show in Branson on March 22, 2010, at the Hughes Brothers Theatre. Known world-wide for their innovative and thrilling one-of-a-kind stage show, JEERK adds another exciting twist to the outstanding Branson show mix.

Jeff Topper, Director of Sales for the Hughes Brothers Theatre says, “From the Hughes Brothers Show to SIX and now JEERK our theatre is showcasing cutting edge entertainment. JEERK is a new breed of entertainment – versatile, unexpected, innovative and very hip.” The ingredients of the JEERK show include tap dance, percussion, singing and humour mixed together by five brilliant performers – Nikke, Reggie, Xet, Bobo, and Tymac. Swedish news Ystads has this to say, “These five young men can do anything that can be done on a stage, and they do it magnificently.”

The JEERK show is a world of rhythms where the performers transform anything into a musical instrument; a plastic barrel, a hockey stick, a walking chair…and mix this with playful humour. Topper adds, “JEERK’s personal touch is endearing to the audience. Their clever combinations of dance are fresh and versatile while reminiscent of the fun antics we’ve always enjoyed from the dance greats.” Lanstidningen County Chronicle says, “The incredible show with JEERK gets top grades. The late Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly must be happy in heaven when they see something like this.”

JEERK, finalist in the Big E Awards for Best Show, has stomped across the stages of Sweden as well as Istanbul, Frankfurt, Basel, Milan and Bucharest. Their TV credits include the opening ceremony of the European Athletics Championship, the Eurovision Song Contest and the popular dance show Dansez Pentru Tine in Romania. Their international success brought them to the United States for their first appearance last year. At Silver Dollar City JEERK discovered Branson and American fans discovered JEERK. Now fans will be able to see JEERK on the world-famous 76 Highway, fondly known as “the strip”. As Bobo says, “The crazy Swedes are back in Branson!”

ZipRider Attraction Sails onto Branson Attraction Scene

The Shepherd of the Hills is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a big announcement – the addition of the “Vigilante Extreme ZipRider.” The announcement of this new attraction has already generated a lot of buzz as it brings an entirely new experience to the Branson attraction scene.

Set to open by Memorial Day weekend, the ZipRider will allow guests to experience a ride from atop the Inspiration to a landing point a half-mile away. Visitors will travel up the glass elevator of the Inspiration Tower to the top observation deck. From the open-air observation deck, guests will board one of four seated zip lines that will send them sailing across the 160-acre park at speeds up to 50 mph.

Unlike traditional zipline experiences, the ZipRider has a patented trolley retrieval system, so with the push of a button the seats are brought back and are ready for the next rider.

Currently, there are 10 ZipRider attractions in the world. The Branson location at Shepherd of the Hills will have the highest tower launch of any ZipRider attraction, as Inspiration Tower is 230 feet in the air.

The ride will be open to guests weighing between 75 and 275 pounds. The first ride will cost $29 and each additional trip will be $20.

Branson Airport Adds Frontier Airlines

Branson Airport and Frontier Airlines announced in a recent new release that it will be offering non-stop service to Denver, Colorado beginning April 20, 2010.

Frontier Airlines announced its summer 2010 schedule on February 4, which includes "seven new destinations from its Denver International Airport (DEN) hub, as well as increased frequencies to four popular destinations for the peak summer travel season. The new routes and frequencies will be available for sale on FrontierAirlines.com beginning Feb. 14."

The addition of Frontier Airlines will allow visitors to fly to Branson from more than 50 cities connecting through Denver, according to the release.

Frontier Airlines operates a fleet of 51 aircraft, the release said.

The first Branson to Denver flight will be April 20, departing at 2:30 p.m. and arriving in Denver at 4:30 p.m. Flights will take place Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

The first Denver to Branson flight departs April 20 at 11:05 a.m., arriving at 1:52 p.m. Flights will take place Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Ticket prices were not announced in the news release.

Missouri Food & Wine Festival Set for April

The 2nd Annual Missouri Food & Wine Festival returns to Chateau on the Lake April 24 & 25, 2010. This festival is a celebration of food & wine from around Branson, Missouri and the world. Guests will be treated to food and beverage samples all day, along with informative seminars, live entertainment and full dining opportunities. Admission also includes educational seminars regarding food & wine, cooking classes from award-winning chefs, and an exclusive Wine Makers Dinner in the award winning Chateau Grille Restaurant. Every attendee will also receive a souvenir tasting journal and imprinted wine glass.

The festival theme will emphasize the uses of food, wine, beer and gourmet ingredients working in conjunction to please the palate of food lovers everywhere. The event is also a charitable one, as a portion of the proceeds will benefit The Branson Arts Council. New for this year’s event is a Barbeque and Burger contest, as well as an outdoor area for smokers and barbeques.

A few of the food vendors that will be present include the Andy Williams Moon River Grill, Bleu Olive Mediterranean Restaurant, Chateau Grill e Restaurant, Chocolat, Florentine’s & Fall Creek Steakhouse. Planned wine vendors include Keltoi Vineyard and Winery, Le Cave Winery, Lindwedel Wine Garden, Stone Hill Winery, Whispering Oaks Vineyard & Winery, Mount Pleasant Winery & Andy Williams Private Label. Non Food/Wine Vendors include 417 Magazine, The Vacation Channel, Branson Show League, KSFX and many others.

Tickets are available in advance or at the door. A one day pass is $20 and a two day pass is $30. The hours for the event are 10am-9pm on April 24 & 10am-6pm on April 25.