Branson Courier

Month: November 2002

  • Branson’s 54th Adoration Day Parade on December 8, 2002

    When the first of over 70 marching bands, drum and bugle teams, parade floats, and other units steps off in the Branson Adoration Parade at approximately 5:30 p.m. on December 8, 2002, it will mark the 54th Anniversary of one of Branson’s favorite Christmas traditions and a change from its traditional date of the 1st Sunday in December. The date has been changed to the 8th of December because of the proximity of the 1st Sunday to Thanksgiving weekend. The parade follows pre parade activities beginning at 4:00 PM and the lighting of the Nativity Scene on Mt. Branson at 5:00 PM in downtown Branson.

    The Adoration Parade is a non commercial event honoring the true meaning of CHRISTmas and celebrating the lighting of the giant Nativity Scene high above Historic Downtown Branson on Mount Branson. The Adoration Parade’s combination of non commercialism, its theme, “Keeping Christ in Christmas,” and the time of day it is held make it perhaps one of the most unique parades in America, if not the world. It is one of Americas few night time parades. Every float must carry their own self contained lighting system and many of the marching units have miniature lighting systems on their uniforms and instruments.

    The Adoration Parade and Nativity Scene lighting has been an Ozarks tradition for half a century, long before the Branson became a popular Christmas destination. It is first and foremost, a way for those privileged enough to live in these blessed Ozark Hills to have an opportunity to celebrate the birth of the One for whom Christmas is named, the Christ Child, and the hope, love, and peace that He offers

    The Parade Route will start at the corner of Oklahoma and Commercial Streets, at the north end of historic downtown Branson, and proceed 6 blocks south to Price Street. At Price Street it will turn east and proceed to Sycamore Street. The route goes north on Sycamore Street, 4 blocks, to its junction with Main Street where it will turn east and proceed to its termination point at the junction of Main Street and Box Car Willie Drive.

    For further information contact the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB 1-417-334-4084 or or the Downtown Main Street Association 417-334-1548.

  • The Jim Owen Show “Wacky 101”

    The Jim Owen Show, playing at the Dutton Theater, opens with a nice introduction by one of the Dutton clan. That is the last vestige of sanity for two hours. From the moment Jim Owen strolls onstage, following gthe introduction, until the time you are heading for the parking lot, after the show, the world as you thought you knew it, has ceased to exist.

    For two hours you will be educated in the Jim Owen class, aptly called, “Wacky 101”. Your world will be turned upside down with laughter. Perhaps, by more laughter than you ever thought could be possible in any two-hour period.

    Jim is joined onstage by two cohorts, Katie Lynn and Suzi Weber. Katie and Suzi, aka Lucille Ball and Goldie Hawn personalities, are hilarious as they portray ditzy blondes. Bless their hearts! The interaction between Jim Owen and his partners in crime, Katie and Suzi, will keep you in stitches for hours after the show. Incidentally, you will have to attend the Jim Owen Show to discover the real meaning of “Bless Their Hearts.”

    The Jim Owen Show will not only treat you to some of the most insane humor ever, but it will also treat you to some of the finest music anywhere. You not only will hear a special segment dedicated to Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys but songs like, Elijah, Love Sick Blues, There’ll Be No Teardrops Tonight, I’ll Pretend, and many more that will tug at your memory, with flashbacks to the grass roots of country music. This is a whale of a show that takes you back to the origins of country music and contains wacky comedy beyond your wildest imagination.

    For show information and tickets, toll free, call Ozark Ticket and Travel at 1-888-493-1222.

  • Grand Ladies of Country: How Sweet It Is!

    The “Grand Ladies of Country,” appearing at the 76 Mall Theatre, is one of Branson’s best kept secrets. A review of the show earlier in the year found the show had more music, ounce for ounce and pound for pound, than nearly any other show in Branson. That has not changed.

    I had reviewed Mary Lou Turner earlier in the year as well and she just keeps getting better and better. Mary Lou won Vocalist Duo of the Year with Bill Anderson, two years running, 1976 and 1977. This Hazard, Ky. native has also appeared on the Grand Old Opry. Mary Lou sounded better than ever and this time she joined Leona Williams, another grand star, to turn out entertainment that takes a back seat to no one. The duo, singing singles as well as duets, teamed with Beverly Cotton Dillard, a banjo player and singer, to create some of the finest music this side of Toad Hollow.

    Beverly Cotton Dillard is married to Rodney Dillard, one of the ‘Darlings’ on the Andy Griffith Show. Beverly has appeared on Hee Haw and can stand up to anyone alive on the banjo. Beverly acts as emcee and does a couple of skits with members of the “Ladies Men Band.” One stage lithograph of American life tells the tide of events in the mountains, another is based on the Andy Griffith Show, and the last is a vocal panorama taken straight from O Brother Where Art Thou. All these scenes of Americana are a lot of fun to watch and hear because Beverly and the boys take so much delight doing them.

    Leona Williams, Vienna, Missouri’s favorite daughter, was striking as she and Mary Lou Turner sang song after song during the show. These gals have a lot of stamina, energy and enjoy what they do.

    It has been quoted of Picasso that if his oils were taken from him he would go to watercolors. If his watercolors were to be taken from him, he would pick up a pencil. If the pencil were to be taken from him, he would wet his finger and make outlines on a dry surface. Mary Lou Turner, Beverly Dillard and Leona Williams are exactly like that. They all love to entertain and if you were to take first the stage, then the theater, plus street corners, cafes, nightclubs and so on, away from them, I would imagine they would most likely be in a park somewhere, playing, singing and smiling for whom-ever they could find.

    Editor’s Note: The Grand Ladies of Country are currently appearing at the 76 Mall Theatre, Monday through Saturday at 3:30 and 8:00 PM. Starting in 2003 they will be appearing at the Jim Stafford Theatre in a “new” show entitled “Us Girls! For show information and tickets, toll free, call Ozark Ticket and Travel at 1-888-493-1222.