September Events in Branson, Missouri

September Calendar of Events for Branson

Southern Gospel Picnic
August 28, 2008 - September 7, 2008
Times: Open daily from10 a.m.-6 p.m. August 30 & 31 open 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Location: Silver Dollar City
The popular Southern Gospel Picnic returns with more glorious gospel music from some of the top names in Southern Gospel music, and a picnic feast of Chicken & Fixin's. See hundreds of performances from the top names in southern gospel music! The heavens will resound with the sweet sounds of your favorite southern gospel groups on stages throughout the park by day. Then Echo Hollow® Amphitheatre will be serenaded with music from the famed Southern Gospel Nights concert series each evening.

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The End of WWII
September 2, 2008
Phone: (417) 337-8387
At 12:00 p.m. to 12:01 p.m. all sirens from police, fireman, ambulance and storm warning systems will sound their sirens to commemorate the Formal Surrender of Japan on 9/2/1945 which brought an end to WWII, the single most defining event of the 20th Century. On that date, the Japanese formally surrendered aboard the Battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Harbor. We ask that those driving do blow your horn, however if you feel that it is necessary please pull over to the side of the road or into a safe area to do so.

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Welk Stars Reunion 2008
September 3, 2008 - September 7, 2008
Location: Welk Resort Theater
Phone: 800-505-WELK

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Orphans Car Show
September 4, 2008 - September 6, 2008
Location: Dick Clark's
Phone: 800-985-3144

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9/11 "Branson Remembers"
September 11, 2008
Times: 8 a.m.
Location: The back parking lot of the Grand Palace under the American High-rise Monument
Phone: (417) 337-8387
A beautiful and moving ceremony will be held in observance of the tragedy which changed the world. For more information contact Steve Weyher.

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National Harvest Festival
September 11, 2008 - October 25, 2008
Times: Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Closed Mondays & Tuesdays. Closed Sept. 8 - 10.
Location: Silver Dollar City
Phone: 800-475-9370
It's a new name, but the same great festival with two events in one! The Home of American Craftsmanship, Silver Dollar City welcomes over 100 visiting craftsmen, over 400 of the nation's finest musicians, and back by popular demand, our signature stage show Headin' West during the National Harvest Festival.
Salute to the Great American Cowboy - Sept. 11 - 28
Asleep at the Wheel - Echo concert; Cowboy Rex working cowboy show; Working Boot and Saddle Shop; Buck Taylor and Friends/Frisco; Native American Hoop Dancer; Riverfront Playhouse Cowboy acts; Cowboy Craftsmen; BOMH Artists Area; Bluegrass Now Stage.
Guest Celebrities
Dan Haggerty - 9/13; Edward Faulkner - 9/20; Robert Horton - 9/27; Arena Acts; Missouri Mule Jump; Roman Rider; Bureau of Land Management Mustangs
Salute to the American Farmer
John Conlee - Echo concert; John Deere Antique display; Working Farm animal and carpernter shop; Laddie and Timmy appearances; South West Dairy mobile classroom; Steam Engine display; Farmer Timberframe; Touch of Ear-Draft Mule Hitch; Missouri Farm Bureau.
Arena Acts
Border Collie Herding Demos: FFA Show Cattle; SDC Pig Races; Farmer John's / Frisco; Jim Victor - Food Sculptor; Mini Antique tractors; Baker Creek Seed Co; Steve Rogers Barn Collection; Farm related crafts

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Sleds in September – A Custom Car & Rod Event
September 12, 2008 - September 14, 2008
Location: Dick Clark's
Phone: (417) 332-1960, (877) 588-1957

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Compton Ridge Fiddlers Convention
September 13, 2008 - September 14, 2008
Location: Compton Ridge Campground
Phone: 800-233-8648
Come and enjoy 3 days of fiddling jam sessions and concerts. Also join the fish fry and pig roast.

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The 35th Annual Autumn Daze Craft Festival
September 18, 2008 - September 21, 2008
Times: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Downtown Branson
Phone: 888-322-2786
Admission: FREE
The 35th Annual Autumn Daze Craft Festival will be held in the heart of downtown featuring more than 150 crafters.

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Annual Fall Flea Market & Craft Show
September 20, 2008
http://rockawaybeachchamber.com
Location: Rockaway Beach
Phone: 800-798-0178

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AREA '57 CRUISE IN & Drive-In Movie Night
September 20, 2008
Location: Dick Clark's
Phone: (417) 332-1960, (877) 588-1957

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Branson Fun Fest
September 20, 2008
Times: 9 a.m. - dusk when movie begins
Location: Dick Clark's Area 57
Phone: 417-779-5374
Come for a fun day for the whole family starting with a great breakfast interwoven with live music. Each hour there will be a drawing of gifts plus many types of prizes and contests. There will be carnival games for all ages and many types of craft and merchant vendors. A silent auction will be going on throughout the day and some items will be able to be bid on online. The event will end with a music jam fest and an outdoor movie. Check our website to keep up to date with what is going on or to register your car or cycle or to sign up as a vendor.

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POW-MIA Day "Silent March"
September 20, 2008
Times: 9 a.m.
Location: Whelchel Funeral Chapel parking lot, 310 S. Commercial, Branson
Phone: (417) 337-8387
The "Silent March" will proceed down Commercial to Main St. taking Main St. down to the Town Square at the Branson Landing where a short commemorative service will be held for those who have not returned from WWII, Korea, Vietnam or Desert Storm. "Help bring them home." For more information contact Tom Goldsworthy.

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Missouri Master Gardener’s State Conference
September 26, 2008 - September 29, 2008
For admission information and to register: http://www.momg08.org/
Location: Branson Convention Center
Learn the gardening secrets of the Ozark Mountains. Enjoy a variety of educational sessions, guest speakers and garden tours.

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Stray Kat ROCK IT Custom / Lead Sled Car Show
September 26, 2008 - September 28, 2008
Location: Dick Clark's
Phone: 800-985-3144

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AREA '57 CRUISE IN & Drive-In Movie Night
September 27, 2008
Location: Dick Clark's
Phone: (417) 332-1960, (877) 588-1957

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Hollister Grape and Fall Festival
September 27, 2008
Location: Historical Downing Street in Hollister
Come and enjoy food, stage entertainment, crafts, and lots of fun activities in beautiful historic Hollister. Great for the whole family!

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John Daly’s Lion’s Heart Invitational Golf Tournament
September 30, 2008 - October 1, 2008
Email: Lionsheart@murderrockgolf.com
Phone: (417) 334-7818 ext. 104
John Daly’s Lion’s Heart Invitational Golf Tournament has moved to the new course that bears the founder’s name. The fall tournament and concert will be held at John Daly’s Murder Rock Golf and Country Club, located within the acclaimed Branson Creek Residential Community. This celebrity filled event moves from Tunica to its new home and promises to become one of the area’s most popular and talked about events. Jan Stevenson, Marshall Faulk and Kevin Costner will be in attendance. This event is one of the biggest fundraisers for the Ozark Mountain Family YMCA, and contributes to an annual donation to the John Daly Foundation. Sponsorships and players are now being accepted!

Information courtesy of Branson Chamber of Commerce

Welk Resort Theater Announces New Line-Up for 2008

Welk-Sullivan Productions is making some changes in 2008 at the Welk Resort Theatre with new pairings of beloved entertainers, some brand new talent and the return of two popular reunions.

Tony Orlando will join The Lennon Sisters in 2008 for an all new Christmas Celebration production at the Welk Resort. This new pairing of beloved headliners in an all-new show will run from November 1 through December 6, 2008.

The new production will showcase America’s Sweethearts of Song -- Kathy, Janet and Mimi Lennon -- with an entertainer admired and known for his string of chart-topping hits and the song that became an American anthem of hope and homecoming, reunion and renewal.
Orlando, a consummate entertainer, sings his hit songs including “Tie A Yellow Ribbon Around The Old Oak Tree,” “Candida,” “Knock Three Times” and many more. Then he delights audiences with music from different genres, adds variety as he showcases his very talented band and then pulls even more surprises out of his vast repertoire. The Lennon Sisters dazzle audiences with their sweet harmonies, signature songs and “More than 50 Years in 5 Minutes” video remembrance of their amazing entertainment career.

“We’re thrilled to bring these beloved entertainers together and bring a new Christmas production to Branson in 2008, said Joe Sullivan, general manager of the Welk Resort Theatre and executive producer of Welk-Sullivan Productions.

“I’ve enjoyed working with Larry, Steve and Rudy Gatlin since 2001 when we brought the Gatlin Brothers Christmas Reunion Show to Branson. Although I will miss working with them next year, I fully support their decision to perform in a morning timeslot at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theatre next year,” said Sullivan. “I have been and continue to be a Gatlin Brothers fan and friend.”

Also new in 2008…The Rankin Brothers Classic Music Revue will debut at the Welk Resort Theatre in March and run through December. Matt and Mark Rankin, along with their cast of outstanding musicians and performers, will present timeless, classic hits covering six decades of music. These genuine, talented brothers thrill audiences with their authentic renditions of the most-beloved songs of all time.

The fast-paced variety show will feature the Rankin Brothers backed by a five-piece band, two female singers and a specialty/comedian act. Based on their belief that classic music is timeless, the Rankin Brothers project a love and respect for the music they play, re-creating perfect renditions of favorite songs. From The Everley Brothers to The Doobie Brothers, Buddy Holly and Sam Cooke to Bruce Springsteen, Simon and Garfunkel and Huey Lewis & The News, the Rankin Brothers Classic Music Revue will entertain with classic hit music which appeals to all generations.

Along with their considerable vocal and musical talents, the Rankin Brothers have the showmanship that audiences of all ages adore. Multi-media technology will add a modern element to the performance with rich, eye-catching films, stills, graphics and audio.
“Mark and Matt Rankin have dreamt about moving to this great community and performing full-time for many years” said Sullivan. “They’ve really honed their performance skills in Texas, playing for corporate, private and special events since 1989. They have the talent, charisma and heart to make it here in Branson.

“Welk-Sullivan Productions brings a proven track-record of production experience and presenting promising new talent to Branson,” said Sullivan. “We think it’s a promising partnership and an exciting new addition to the Branson entertainment scene for 2008…and many years to come.”

“Darren Romeo plans to perform in Branson next year and he will be making an announcement about the venue at any time,” said Sullivan. “I’ve also become a Darren Romeo fan and friend since we launched ‘Siegfried & Roy present Darren Romeo’ in 2004."

And returning in 2008 will be The Tillis Family Reunion starring Mel Tillis and Pam Tillis. This reunion received rave reviews for their Fall 2007 engagement at the Welk Resort Theatre and will return in 2008 from September 16 through October 25 for 38 performances.

With singer, songwriter, comedian and 2007 Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee Mel Tillis at the helm, this famously talented family delights audiences with chart-topping music and their special Tillis Family humor. Mel has recorded more than 60 albums and 36 Top Ten singles including Coca Cola Cowboy, Good Woman Blues and Southern Rains.

Daughter and country music superstar Pam Tillis combines the best of traditional and contemporary music. This CMA Female Vocalist of the Year has 3 Platinum and 2 Gold albums to her credit plus 10 Top-Five hits on the Country Music Charts including Mi Vida Loca, Maybe It Was Memphis, Shake The Sugar Tree and Cleopatra-Queen of Denial. Pam continues to record and perform hit music such as Band In The Window, from her 2007 CD “Rhinestoned,” which topped the European country music charts.

Rounding out this family reunion are singer/songwriter Mel Tillis Jr., aka “Sonny,” and perennial favorite Carrie April Tillis with her breathtaking opera singing.

Confirmed special events at the Welk Resort Theatre in 2008 include:

Welk Stars Reunion 2008, September 3 – 7; guest stars to be announced.

Tony Orlando’s Yellow Ribbon Salute To Veterans, November 11.

Additional special events/concerts to be announced.

The Welk Resort Theatre is located three miles south of Highway 76 at 1984 State Highway 165. The 2,245-seat theatre near Table Rock Lake was home to The Lawrence Welk Show from 1994 through 2004. Since 2004 Welk-Sullivan Productions has presented extended engagement shows in the theatre including Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Pam Tillis, The Lennon Sisters, Darren Romeo, Mel Tillis & Connie Smith, Crystal Gayle & Lee Greenwood and the Tillis Family Reunion. Special engagement concerts have featured B.B. King, The Moody Blues, The Beach Boys, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Taylor Hicks, Chuck Berry, Three Dog Night, Ray Price, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, B.J. Thomas & Billy Joe Royal, Delbert McClinton and annual week-long Welk Stars Reunion shows. The destination resort complex includes a 160-room hotel, the Stage Door Restaurant & Lounge, swimming pool, gift shop, miniature golf course, new luxury condos and, opening in 2008, an indoor/outdoor recreation center.

Information courtesy of Branson Chamber of Commerce

Image courtesy of Sullivan Shows/Welk Resort