Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum in Branson to Close

The owners of the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum, located in Branson, gave announced the museum will close in December. The museum is run by a non-profit group which stated the museum is closing due to declining attendance and an uncertain economy. It originally opened in 1967 in California and had been operating in Branson for six years.

The memorabilia and artifacts on display will be sold.

Roy Rogers Jr., who currently performs at the venue, says he will look for a new location in the Branson area to continue live shows.

Hot Winter Fun in Branson Heats Up!

Regardless of the season there are always lots of special and exciting things to do in Branson, Missouri and that’s what Branson’s Hot Winter Fun is all about. Even in January, when a lot of Branson’s shows and some attractions and activities that are weather dependent are closed there is always shows to see, loads of fun to be had and things to do, and memories to be made.

The majority of Branson’s shopping, major attractions, museums, movies, restaurants and a broad choice of lodging are open. If there’s one thing that doesn’t miss a beat during winter, or any other season, it’s the fabulous shopping that Branson is noted for. With the number and variety of stores in Branson there is a shopping experience to meet just about every shopping need or desire.

Branson’s premier shopping – attraction location, Branson Landing and its 100 plus shopping and restaurant venues are all open and offer a variety of shopping and dining conveniently located in one location. In addition, weather permitting The Landing’s spectacular free $7.5 million synchronized water, fire, and music show is amazing to see.

Branson’s other major malls, Tanger Outlet, Factory Merchants, Imax Shopping Complex and The Shoppes at Branson Meadows are all open. When the rest of the specialty shopping that Branson has to offer such as those available in historic downtown Branson are factored in, Branson just might be the perfect illustration of the place where a person can truly “Shop till they drop.”

The Grand Country Complex offers an indoor water park and miniature golf course and live shows including the Buck Trent, Grand Jubilee, and the Comedy Jamboree shows. Where else but Branson, MO can a person experience the ferociousness of dinosaurs at the Dinosaur Museum and the daintiness of thousands of White Butterflies at the unique “White Flight” spectacular in the Butterfly Palace?

Branson has a museum for just about every interest. Their size and exhibits are as diverse as the “Titanic - World's Largest Museum Attraction,” a huge one half scale replication of the Titanic dedicated completely to the memory of it, its crew and passengers, to the “The World’s Largest Toy Museum.”

Branson’s museums also include “The Veteran’s Memorial Museum,” dedicated to America’s Armed Forces; “The Hollywood Wax Museum” an action packed tribute to Hollywood’s stars and movies; “The Roy Rogers Museum” celebrating the “King of the Cowboys” and the lessons of a bygone era; “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” featuring unusual and unique exhibits from all over the world and housed in a building, Ripley’s says, is one of the most photographed in the world.

The month of January features two very special events at Branson Attractions. “White Flight” is finishing out a limited engagement at the Butterfly Palace, through Jan. 15. It features a blizzard of thousands of white butterflies flying in a rain forest lit with thousands of lights, and music that combine in a unique one of a kind spectacular.

On January 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. the “Titanic - World's Largest Museum Attraction” will be presenting its Third Annual Ice Sculpturing Event. The competition features some of the world’s most accomplished ice sculptors as they create fantastic creations out of 250 pound blocks of ice. The event is free and is held at the bow of the Titanic located at the intersection of Gretna Road and State Highway 76 in the heart of Branson’s strip.

In keeping with Branson’s long standing tradition of honoring America’s Veterans, the signing of the Vietnam Peace Accord will be remembered on January 28. A special program will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Golden Corral to mark the day in 1973 when one of Amerioca’s most controversial wars came to an end. Please contact Barbara Linderer of the Branson Veteran’s Task Force for additional information on this even at 417-337-8387.

The Branson IMAX Discovery Theatre offers a full selection of IMAX Adventure films, shown in the giant IMAX format on its giant six story high IMAX Screen with 22,000 watts of digital surround sound. In addition to showing the latest Hollywood feature films in its three state of the art Elite Cinema theatres the IMAX also shows selected on the IMAX screen at selected times each day. The Branson Meadows Cinema also offers 11 screens showing the latest feature films.

The opportunities for outdoor activities from hiking, golfing, kayaking, fishing, boat riding, and even a dinner cruise on the Branson Landing Princess are, although weather dependent, boundless. Just a simple walk along the boardwalk at Branson Landing beside Lake Taneycomo with your family and the opportunity see a Bald Eagle in Flight will be unique and just might provide that special memory that could last a life time.

Information courtesy of The Branson Courier

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