Branson Courier

Month: February 2006

  • Branson Hot Winter Fun Events

    Special events for Hot Winter Fun in Branson run throughout the season and will include:



    Hot Winter Fun Museum March – Many museums are open year-round for the Hot Winter Fun adventure of your choosing.The wide variety of museum choices in Branson allows visitors to see Roy Roger’s Trigger, the car from the Beverly Hillbillies show, life-size wax figures of favorite entertainers or follow in the steps of Presidents.Special promotions are available on Fridays and Saturdays, beginning Jan. 27th and continuing throughout February. Check with participating museums upon arrival for details.



    Chateau on the Lake – Murder Mystery Theatre on selected Fridays and Saturdays.Visit their website at www.Chateauonthelake.com.



    Tri-Lakes Community Theatre – What do people in Branson do in their spare time? One answer is the Tri-Lakes Community Theatre. Three plays are presented each year during January and February. The remaining play is Cheaper by the Dozen – Feb. 24 – 26, March 3 – 5.


    For more details, call 417-335-4241.



    Hot Winter Fun Big Show – see many of the entertainers of Hot Winter Fun on one stage for one night only – Monday, February 13, 7:00 pm at the Jim Stafford Theatre. It’s always a sellout!Call early for tickets – 417-335-8080.



    The Vacation Channel Home Show at Chateau on the Lake – Feb. 10 – 12



    NAIA Hoops Fest 2006 – Don’t miss the excitement of the NAIA Division II National Men’s Basketball Tournament, as College of the Ozarks and Branson welcomes 32 teams from across the country. March 8-14, 2006. For more details and ticket information, call 417-334-6411.



    IMAX Film Festival – Always a favorite in March and April, don’t miss the 13th Annual Film Festival. Complete dates and movies will be announced early in 2006. Call 800-419-4832 or visit their website at www.bransonimax.com.

  • A Branson tale, Bobblin Hood and his merry men

    It was a horrible dream the Ole Seagull was having. Bobblin Hood and his merry band were running the Branson City government. It was kind of surreal because the merry band and their leader, Bobblin Hood, were at a meeting that, if were not a dream, could have been mistaken for a Branson Board of Aldermen meeting.



    They were talking about some Ole Seagull who had sat on the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Commission with them. They were not pleased that he had not only voted against the TIF but had gone back to the Taney County Commission that he represented and recommended, in an open and public meeting, that they consider filing a lawsuit against Bobblin Hood and his merry men.



    Friar Tuck, one of the merry men, reminded the merry band that the Ole Seagull said that he voted against it because he did not believe that the land covered by the TIF was blighted, that the expenditure of about $49 million in taxpayer funds to “big box” stores that would be locating within the county anyway made sense, or that the ratio of taxpayer funds reimbursed to the developer, as compared to the developers cost, was appropriate.



    At that time Maid Marion spoke up and asked, “Didn’t he also say that he believed that there is something inherently wrong with the City of Branson using taxpayer funds, and the future tax revenues of other taxing entities, without their approval, to constantly feed its own economic growth at the expense of its neighbors and the orderly and efficient development elsewhere in the county? Then, to everyone’s surprise, Friar Tuck said, “He just might have a point, if the City of Branson wants to obligate its own future tax revenues that’s one thing, but when it does so at the expense of other taxing entities, without their consent, that is something else.”



    Bobblin Hood came out of his seat incensed and pointed out that the City didn’t even have enough money to make sure that the access to the city’s only emergency room was maintained as they built their new $400 million dollar plus project in down town Branson. He asked, “How else are we going to get enough money to keep neighboring communities, and the county itself, from developing and having economic independence from the City of Branson if we don’t confiscate the county’s future tax revenues and use them for our own benefit?



    Little Jon, who in stature is not little at all, got all red faced as he agreed and said, “If we don’t do this those businesses will go to Hollister and we can’t have that.” With Bobblin Hood bobbing his head in agreement, Little Jon went on to point out that if that happened there was the potential that revenue, businesses, and opportunities for economic growth might trickle down to other areas of Taney County besides Branson. He then asked, “If that happened, Branson would no longer be able to tell everyone else in the county how dependent they were on Branson?”



    Bobblin Hood chimed in and asked, “Besides, how could the county and the rest of the area govern itself without the omnipotent overseeing of this merry band and, of course, its very humble leader? What would the masses do without us? It’s for their own good that we must confiscate their future tax revenues.”


    Friar Tuck asked Bobblin Hood, “But doesn’t the City of Hollister, Taney County, the Branson School Board, and other taxing entities have leadership that is capable to deciding what is best for them and how to manage their own businesses and finances?” Unfortunately, at that time, with one final snore the Ole Seagull woke up. Wow, thank God it was but a dream

  • Branson illusionist Kirby VanBurch in new theatre for 2006

    In its own way it’s almost magical, but for Branson’s 2006 season, Kirby VanBurch, will “reappear” in a theatre that he “disappeared” from after the 1998 season. Obviously, a lot has transpired in the meantime not the least of which the theatre has undergone a couple of ownership and name changes. In 1998 it was the “Palace of Mystery” since then it has been the “Magical Palace” where Bart Rockett performed, and most recently, for the 2004 and 2005 season, it was known as “The Musical Palace” where the “#1 Hits of the 60’s Show,” which will be performing at the “Branson Showcase Theatre” in the Branson Mall in 2006, performed.



    Located on Highway 248 just west of the Shepherd of the Hills Expressway and Highway 248 Junction, the theatre was recently acquired by Wirestream Media, Inc., who also acquired the “Gaslighter/Showtown Theatre,” located just north of the junction of Gretna Road and Highway 76 in 2005. The theatre will now be called the “Kirby VanBurch Theatre.”



    Wayne Hicks, CEO of Wirestream, said , “Our intent is to … refurbish, and redecorate both properties so that they are real homes for the first class entertainment we have planned.” In explaining Wirestreams’s intent and commitment for its Branson properties Hicks continued, “Our intent as a producer of fine live entertainment is to consistently bring the Branson audiences first class production, great facilities, and the opportunity to experience the vast entertainment value in our line up.”



    A recent press release said, “Plans for renovation of the new Kirby VanBurch Theatre include a lobby facility for displaying and Housing live exotic animals, as well as revision of the back stage animal compound that would allow ticket holders the opportunity to visit directly with Kirby and Bambi VanBurch and see the animals close up and personal.



    VanBurch, the Prince of Magic and International Award-Winning Magician, celebrates another magical season with never-before-seen illusions. Kirban, the endangered white tiger, leopards, lions and other exotic animals will perform amazing feats to make this show great family entertainment!



    Audiences will see Kirby and his wife, Bambi, as they make a helicopter disappear at the World’s Largest Magic Show.Millions have been amazed!”



    VanBurch said, “Bambi and I are very blessed and excited about this opportunity. We have wanted to bring back our Christmas Spectacular to the Branson audiences, expand our animal family, and allow our public to view our pet family members in an intimate setting. The opportunities that Wirestream has provided for us meet all those desires.”



    Performances started in the new theatre on Feb. 15.

  • Is Branson changing too much?


    Why is it that a town that was made so popular because of its old fashioned charm,wonderful music, old fashioned look & feeling of Silver Dollar City, & the country atmosphere of the lake area, has to try & change all of that & become a big city atmosphere with all the lake landing area being developed & all the development of business after business. All, I might add, with the same old same old items to sell. All made in China or Japan.



    For years ( about 30 years ) my family has been drawn to your area for all this old fashioned peaceful country charm & all the unique handmade things to buy .All the great craftsmanship. For the last 5 to 10 years, each visit gets more & more disappointing. Give us the old fashioned way of life for a few weeks a year of the old downtown Branson. Keep the old downtown area the way it was, that’s what has kept us coming back for so many years. Other vacation spot choices are starting to look better & better.



    Miss the old Branson. Gloria, Houson Texas.

  • Honestly, can there be honor without honesty?



    In terms of daily living, the word “honor” does not come up much and yet, in one form or another, it influences just about every aspect of daily life. As an example, what would happen if people did not honor traffic laws, traffic lights, and stop signs? Wouldn’t that make the drive to work or school a little more exciting than it should be? What happens to people, families, and businesses when they fail to honor their commitments and obligations? Generally, not much that is positive.



    Each of those situations represents a different definition of “honor.” The case of the stop sign illustrates the “respect for” definition. Honesty doesn’t play a big part in why people stop at stop signs or obey traffic laws; rather it is the respect for, among other things, the law, personal safety, and potential fines and penalties that influences their decision.



    The failure to honor commitments and obligations relates to the “personal integrity” definition of honor. Honesty, being truthful in what you say and do, is an integral and necessary component of this type of honor, in fact, without honesty there is no personal integrity or honor.



    Now here’s the tricky part, except for the one person who taught us the meaning of honesty when He said, “Let your ‘yes’ be yes and your ‘no’ be no,” all have been dishonest. At one time or another, for good reason or bad, to protect themselves or someone else, or for the convenience of the moment, all have, to some degree, lied or failed to do that which they said they would do.



    Does that make them a dishonest person? Absolutely not, any more than committing an occasional honest act makes a dishonest person an honest person. It’s not the fact that a person has done something dishonest or honest, it’s how they do it that determines whether or not they are an honest person.



    That is determined by what they honor, have respect for, in the living of their daily life. Do they have a respect for the truth and keeping their commitments? Do those that know them say, that’s a person that can be trusted and depended on? Or, are they a person who has little or no respect for truth and keeping their commitments? The type of person that people say can’t be trusted or depended on?



    Most would have no trouble equating the term honor with honesty while they might find it a bit like an oxymoron if used in connection with dishonesty. Yet, that doesn’t change the basic fact that it is what a person honors, has respect for, that determines whether or not they are honorable. In the final analysis there is a certain symmetry to the principle that what a person honors ultimately determines whether or not that person is honorable.



    No one is born with personal integrity and honesty and it’s not an absolute or perfection thing. It’s a commitment to a way of life that can be summed up in a paraphrase of the first line of the Boy Scout Oath, “On my honor I will do my best to be honorable.” An honest person is one who, in spite of an occasional misstep, does their best to honor that which is honorable and to make sure that their “yes” means yes and their “no” means no.


  • Editorial Cartoon – Of course you can trust us with your ports

  • Just how much can Branson “fool” public sentiment?

    An argument could be made that the ill fated attempt of Branson city officials to involuntarily annex 1024 acres of land north of Branson is a perfect illustration of what Abraham Lincoln meant when he said, “Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed.”



    If voting is an indication of public sentiment, the results speak for themselves. There was 70 percent of the total vote against the annexation. This included about 66 percent from within the City of Branson itself against the annexation as well as 93 percent from within the area sought to be annexed.



    If sentiment is defined as “an attitude, thought, or judgment prompted by feeling,” the question then becomes one of does the vote indicate a public “gut reaction” that goes beyond the annexation issue? Something that caused the public, both within and without Branson, enough concern to vote the way they did?



    There are many reasons people locate outside of city limits and very few, if any, are because they want to get involved with the type of situation that the “new Branson” represents. One can only wonder how those whom the city sought to involuntarily annex felt when they first heard that the “new Branson Juggernaut” wanted to take them into the fold.



    On second thought, maybe it doesn’t take too much wonderment. The 93 percent vote against the annexation by those the city wanted to annex really doesn’t leave too much to wonder about.



    How are public attitudes and judgments influenced when Branson’s City Administrator, appears before the Branson school board and tells them that they will, for the first time, have to pay building fees because it would cost the city money that it could not spare? How much does that sentiment change and in what direction when, shortly thereafter, the city has an epiphany and substantially reverses its position? Is this the type of action that inspires feelings of either trust or confidence?



    Is it even possible that public feelings toward Branson city officials could be influenced by the priority that they have given to the fountains in Branson Landing as compared to insuring that access to the areas only emergency room was not impeded by the city’s routing of Branson Landing traffic? Comparatively speaking, how much has the city spent on fountains? On maintaining ready access to the emergency room?



    Is there any impact on public sentiment when the city administrator and board of aldermen vote to take millions of dollars from other taxing entities just to make sure that big box stores come to Branson rather than to a neighboring community in the county? What would be the attitude of the property owners within Taney County, including those living within the city limits of Branson, if the county had to start collecting real estate taxes to make up for the loss in revenues caused by Branson’s indiscriminate abuse of Tax Increment Financing?



    At this point, one can only wonder about the sentiment of Branson’s existing stakeholders as they watch millions of taxpayer dollars being spent to develop the very competition that will compete against them for the visitors that their efforts and funding developed. What is the public sentiment of the city’s existing retail base as to its ability to withstand a 20 percent “hit” over the next two years?



    Perhaps the lesson to be learned from the election is in a warning attributed to Abraham Lincoln. He said, “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.”

  • 2006 Grammy Winner, B.B. King to perform in Branson for two performances

    2006 Grammy winner ,and one of the most famous blues singer/guitarist in the world today, B.B. King, is coming to Branson for two performances on Feb. 18 and 19. Welk-Sullivan Productions announced today that King, The King of the Blues, will perform on Saturday, February 18th at 8 p.m. and Sunday February 19th at 3 p.m. at the Welk Resort Theatre in Branson.


    For more than half a century, B.B. King has defined the blues for a worldwide audience.The winner of 13 Grammy Awards and 22 W.C. Handy (Blues Foundation) Awards has released over 50 albums including four Gold albums, two Platinum albums and one Multi-Platinum album. His R&B Chart-topping hits include “Three O’Clock Blues,” “You Don’t Know Me,” “Please Love Me,” “You Upset Me Baby,” “Sweet Sixteen, Part I,” and “Don’t Answer The Door, Part I.”His most popular crossover hit, “The Thrill Is Gone,” reached #15 on the Top-40 Chart in 1970.


    Tickets for the two B.B. King concerts in February 2006 go on sale Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005.Tickets may be purchased at the Welk Resort Theatre Box Office, by phone at (800)-734-5515 or (417)-337-7469, on the internet at www.sullivanshows.com or at select Branson area ticket outlets. Ticket prices including all taxes range from $69.50 (Gold Seating) to $59.50 (Silver) and $39.50 (Bronze).


    B.B. mixes traditional blues, jazz, swing, mainstream pop and jump into his own unique sound. Over the years, B.B. has developed one of the world’s most identifiable guitar styles featuring delicate single string runs punctuated by loud chords, subtle vibratos and “bent” notes.The technique of rock guitar playing is – to a large degree – derived from B.B.’s playing.


    B.B. has been inducted into Halls of Fame (Blues Foundation, Rock & Roll, Performance Magazine and N.A.A.C.P. Image Awards); received numerous Lifetime Achievement Awards (Grammy Awards, Songwriters’ Hall of Fame, Orville H. Gibson/Gibson Guitar, Blues Foundation, MOBO Awards {London} and Congress of Racial Equality {CORE)}; and is featured on several Walks of Fame (Rock Walk, Amsterdam {Holland} Walk of Fame and Hollywood Walk of Fame).He has many film and TV appearances to his credit along with radio and TV commercials, soundtrack albums and even an MTV Video Music Award for “Best Video >From a Film” in 1988/89.


    This year B.B. King has released two CDs.”B.B. King Ultimate Collection” in March with 21 of B.B.’s legendary hits and signature songs between 1951 and 2000.In September, he released “80” which brings B.B. King together with Eric Clapton, Elton John and others for new duets in an album of blues standards to celebrate B.B.’s 80th birthday. With his many honors, extensive tour schedule and recently released albums, B.B. King is more popular, more cherished and more relevant than ever to the audiences he entertains night-after-night, around the world.


    The Welk Resort and Theatre are located 3 miles south of Highway 76 on State Highway 165.The destination resort complex opened in 1994 and includes a 160-room hotel, the Stage Door Restaurant & Lounge, a miniature golf course, swimming pool, game room and other amenities.The 2,245-seat theatre near Table Rock Lake has been home to The Lawrence Welk Show since 1994.A new alliance announced in October 2003 united the Welk Resort Group and SullivanShows in a venture designed to bring a vast array of new shows to Branson.Welk-Sullivan Productions has operated, managed and marketed the Welk Resort Theatre in Branson since January 1, 2004.

  • Not enamored with Branson’s building codes and permits departments

    Just a note to advise that not all “Bransonites” are enamored with the building codes and permits departments. As for working “WITH” or “FOR” citizens in the city limits…that is the joke of the century. The referenced departments are so overwhelmed with the Branson Landing project that ordinary citizens who are trying to remodel or enhance their humble living facilities are falling through the cracks, BIG TIME! We know because it has just happened to our family.



    Our house was partially dismantled by our contractor in anticipation of a small addition only to have a moratorium slapped on the whole subdivision/resort effectively halting any construction.Top personnel in the permits department had advised contractor to proceed with “prep” work prior to permit issuance, then issued a “Cease and Desist” moratorium after house was partially dismantled. Now we have paid contractor one-third of contract price up front and will now have to pay to get house reconstructed.



    It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that we, along with many others, have been “had” by the City of Branson who touts on their offical website that they are comitted to their citizens and will work as a team to maintain and promote the growth of the city, as well as provide professional, courteous service to all through fair and open communication. A farce of this magnitude deserves to be dealt with by those whose legal expertise exceeds “Mr. John Q. Branson Citizen”.



    If happy citizens are the city’s best allies, then unhappy ones must be their worst adversaries. This household does not fall into the first category.



    Elroy and Janell, Branson, MO

  • A slogan for the new Branson – “Millions, millions for the new Branson, nor a dollar for Branson”

    In Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” a sailor surrounded by salt water that he couldn’t drink said, “Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink.” Paraphrased that could become the slogan for the new Branson, “Millions, millions for the new Branson, nor a dollar for Branson.”



    What is the difference between the “new Branson” and “Branson?” In a word it’s “character.” Economically, “Branson” was built by families who literally invested their lives and fortunes to build it. As they did so they enhanced Branson while preserving its character and essence.



    Perhaps as important as what they built was the way they built it, with commitment, respect for each other, their neighbors, and by taking, upon themselves, the personal responsibility to pay for what they were building. Along with building Branson economically, they demonstrated the type of citizenship that provided the schools, infrastructure, and environment that made Branson the type of place that people would not only enjoy visiting but want live.



    The “new Branson” is being built by developers and “Wally-World” big box stores who want to invest as little of their money as possible. Its very success appears to be not only built on the backs of those who built Branson and Branson’s current businesses, but in changing the character and essence of Branson. Didn’t a national magazine recently report that a major mover and shaker involved with the new Branson indicated that one of the goals for the “new Branson” is to physically shift “Branson’s center of gravity towards” the the new Branson?



    It seems that the major commitment of the new Branson is to get the City of Branson to give them millions upon millions of dollars so that it can build stores, restaurants, lodging and entertainment facilities that will compete directly with Branson’s existing similar facilities. And, it seems, over the last few years, that the new Branson has found a money “honey hole” in the Branson Board of Aldermen and Branson’s current City Administrator.



    Millions upon millions of dollars has been and is being spent to develop the new Branson while how many millions is being spent to help the Branson upon whose backs the new Branson is being built? For example, how many dollars has the city allocated over the past five years, or the next ten years, to solve the problem of getting pedestrians safely from one side of the Branson Strip to the other?



    How much respect does the building of the new Branson show to Branson’s existing “stakeholders” and businesses while it uses taxpayer funds to finance and reimburse it for the cost of developing the new Branson that will compete against them? How respectful is it to obligate the future tax revenues of Taney County, the Branson School District, and the Branson/Lakes Area Tourism Community Enhancement District without not only their consent but against their expressed wishes?



    Of course, the respect shown to Branson’s neighbors by the new Branson, as it spends millions of taxpayer dollars just to keep stores from going elsewhere, besides the new Branson, speaks for itself. It speaks not only in terms of greed but in the actual cost to all who live in Branson and Taney County. How many millions of dollars are the residents of Taney County, including those living within the city limits of Branson, going to pay so that stores like “Wally – World” will be located in the new Branson instead of elsewhere in the county?



    Where would Branson be today if those who built it only took on the personal responsibility of paying for it only when taxpayer funds were used to reimburse them for 35 percent of the cost of what it was they were building? Exactly what is the percentage of the total cost of the Branson Hills redevelopment project that the developer is being reimbursed for with taxpayer funded TIF funds?



    In the new Branson, the City of Branson conveys information to its school district indicating that it will be charging the district about $85,000 in building fees for current and near term building projects; something that Branson has not done before. What is the rationale for the change? According to published reports, Terry Dody, Branson City Administrator, indicated that it was because it would cost the city money that it could not spare. Ah yes, “Millions, millions for the new Branson, nor a dollar for Branson” or evidently, its schools. Welcome to the “new Branson.”

  • Ronnie McDowell at Welk Theatre in Branson on March 4 – 5

    Ronnie McDowell will perform at the Welk Resort Theatre in Branson on Saturday, March 4 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 5 at 3 p.m.



    McDowell has more than a dozen Top-10, Top-5 and #1 hits including Older Women, You’re Going To Ruin My Bad Reputation, Wandering Eyes, You Made A Wanted Man Of Me and Watchin’ Girls Go By.His distinguished career in country music includes the release of 37 albums and more than 20 singles.


    McDowell also wrote and recorded The King Is Gone, a tribute to Elvis Presley that sold more than 3 million copies and reached #13 on both the Country and Pop Billboard music charts.



    “Ronnie McDowell has an amazing string of hit songs, riveting stage presence and significant fan base,” said Joe Sullivan, Executive Producer of Welk-Sullivan Productions.”These factors, along with his genuine warmth and audience appeal, make him a perfect fit for Branson and the Welk Resort Theatre’s 2006 lineup of world class entertainment.”



    McDowell performed in Branson in 2003 and 2004, thrilling audiences with The Elvis Presley Story starring Ronnie McDowell.The celebration of Elvis’ life and music featured Elvis’ former backup singers and band members The Jordanaires, guitarist Scotty Moore, drummer D.J. Fontana and soprano Millie Kirkham. McDowell’s voice bears an uncanny resemblance to Presley’s and producers of movies have turned to McDowell time and again motion picture soundtracks.His ability to sound exactly like


    the King has been showcased on the soundtracks of highly rated movies and TV specials since 1979.



    “On March 4 and 5, McDowell will sing his own chart-topping hits and, most likely, a few select Elvis songs,” said Sullivan.McDowell will be backed by his band, The Rhythm Kings, comprised of Ronnie McDowell, Jr. on drums, Frank Michels on guitar/fiddle/banjo/background vocals, Kevin Woods on lead guitar and Wade Bernard on bass guitar/background vocals.



    Branson is a primier travel and vacation detination. To purchase tickets for Ronnie McDowell, other shows and attractions, or make Branson lodging arrangements click here. Tickets are also available at at The Welk Resort Theatre Box Office, by phone at 417-337-7469.

  • What’s New in Branson in 2006? Lots!

    Guests visiting the area in 2006 can expect to see new shows, attractions, special events, festivals, restaurants, lodging amenities, retail shops, outdoor recreational activities and more as the Branson/Lakes Area continues to grow and expand its wealth of vacation opportunities.



    This year marks a record in new development for the Branson/Lakes Area with the addition of the $420 million Branson Landing in historic downtown Branson, the Grand Exposition at Silver Dollar City theme park, and Titanic: The World’s Largest Titanic Museum Attraction. Plus, Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater and Grill will present the music, the rock legends, the cars, and the lifestyle of the fabulous 1950s and 1960s.



    For Branson entertainment updates throughout the year, to purchase tickets or make lodging reservations, or for an active on line forum on Branson visit 1Branson.com.



    Attractions



    • Titanic: The World’s Largest Titanic Museum Attraction, on Hwy. 76 across from Legends Family Theater, opens March 8 and will feature re-creations of first class staterooms, third class austere accommodations, the Grand Staircase, plus an interactive area for passengers to experience the touch of an iceberg. Visitors can view over 400 priceless artifacts and will be able to share the personal, heroic and tragic stories of its passengers. Regis Philbin will make a special appearance in Branson on April 7 to christen the ship



    • The Track Family Amusement Center opens a new location on Green Mountain Drive behind The Grand Palace featuring Andy’s Frozen Custard and a 10,000 square foot arcade.



    • Grand Exposition at Silver Dollar City – In the tradition of the magnificent expositions showcasing the technological wonders of the late 19th Century, Silver Dollar City presents an all-new development for 2006 – the Grand Exposition! An $8 million expansion in a new region of the theme park, the Grand Exposition recreates the pageantry of a triumphant American tour of discovery, including 10 new family rides that soar, whirl and fly.



    • Celebration City partners with leaders in kids’ entertainment to present new family adventures for 2006, from interactive movie fun from Movie Magic to the extreme sport of Mountain Boarding. A whole new section of the park is added to accommodate the big-air outdoor Mountain Boards show, showcasing the freestyle athletics of this sport combining the movements of skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing and mountain biking in an exciting, high-flying extreme stunt show. Also new, movie fun takes center stage with Movie Magic: Lights, Camera, Action and YOU! – the live show that lets kids star in great movies like “The Pink Panther”, “Legally Blonde”, “Agent Cody Banks” and “Rocky.” America’s favorite vegetables Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber and all their Veggie friends star when VeggieTales premiers two new movies at Celebration City Kids can meet Bob and Larry after the movie, and also build LEGO structures from castles to race cars in a new LEGO activity area.



    • Silver Dollar City adds a 6th dynamic festival, Southern Gospel Picnic (Aug. 31 – Sept. 10), to its world-class events throughout the year. Southern Gospel Picnic features the sweet sounds of Southern Gospel music and a golden fried chicken spread with all the fixin’s.



    Live Shows






    Terry Sanders, a.k.a. “Homer Lee,” Branson’s comedian of the year for 2005, will be joining with Jimmy Ponder and the Branson Brothers in the all new “Branson Brothers Show” at the the Bart Rockett Theater starting Feb. 17.



    • Andy Williams and Glen Campbell perform together again at The Moon River TheatreMay 5- Jun. 10. Andy will be appearing with Petula Clark again in 2006 from Sep. 8 through Oct. 26.



    • The Welk Resort Theater hosts B.B. King, The King of the Blues, February 18-19; Ray Price, April 5-6; The Welk Reunion Show, Sept. 5-9; and Crystal Gayle and Lee Greenwood together in November and December.



    • The Promise, a musical, returns to Branson and can be seen during the 3 pm time slot at Mansion America Theatre.



    • The Branson Variety Theater presents “I Can’t Stop Loving You, The Music of Ray Charles Lives On” (April – Oct.); Debbie Reynolds (Sept.19-Sept. 22); Frankie Avalon and Brenda Lee together (Sept. 26 – 29 & Oct. 3 – 6); Neil Sedaka (Oct. 17 – 20); and Bobby Vinton Christmas Concert (Nov. 1– Dec. 8)



    • Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater Complex presents Rock Legends of the 50s and 60s. Grammy Award-winning and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers, Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Comets, Fabian, Bobby Vee, The Chiffons, Brian Hyland, Chris Montez, Gary Lewis and The Playboys and others will perform. The complex will house The Patch Collection in a 32,000 square foot exhibit that takes visitors on a walk down memory lane through lifestyle displays that recreate the mood and spirit of 1957, including a museum-quality collection of classic cars, all vintage 1957. The complex will also include a 12,000 square foot Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Grill.



    • The Grand Palace presents Martina McBride with special guest The Warren Brothers (March 10); Merle Haggard (March 11); Regis Philbin (April 7); and George Jones (June 17).



    • Gold Wing Express is moving. The nationally-known touring bluegrass band, Goldwing Express, is moving to the Hughes Brothers Celebrity Theatre for Bluegrass and BBQ with Goldwing Express at 5pm.



    • “Liverpool Legends” open at the Caravelle Theatre. They are the only Beatles Tribute Band endorsed by Louise Harrison, sister of George Harrison


    .


    • Bart Rockett, illusionist, ventriloquist, magician and musician, returns to Branson and can be seen at Hwy. 76 at The Bart Rockett Theater.



    • The Kirby Van Burch magic/variety show moves to the theater at 2353 State Hwy 248.




    Developments


    • Opening in 2006, Branson Landing will offer 95 acres of exciting shopping, dining, a luxurious Hilton hotel, condominiums, active marinas and a new town square. At the heart of the Landing is a town square large enough to accommodate 5,000 guests for festivals and music events and featuring a $7.5 million spectacular attraction that synchronizes water, light, sound and fire, created by Wet Design, the producers of world-class shows for Downtown Disney Marketplace in Orlando, Universal City Walk in California and the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Branson Landing will also feature a scenic boardwalk along the 1.5-mile Taneycomo lakefront. In addition, in 2007, the all-new Branson Convention Center and Hilton Convention Center Hotel, both managed by Hilton Hotels, will provide the Midwest’s newest and most entertaining business gathering destination.



    • The Branson Hills subdivision, under construction in 2006, will offer 1,995 homes, condominiums and apartments. The development will feature a 63,000-square-foot shopping center.



    • The newest addition to Branson’s golf courses is The Tribute, an 18-hole Bobby Clampett signature course designed to honor the late Payne Stewart. Located in the new Branson Hills subdivision, the course will open in spring 2007.



    • Chateau on the Lake Resort and Conference Center opens the Spa Chateau, an 18,000 square foot, $5.5 million addition to their AAA four-diamond property on Table Rock Lake. Features include 11 treatment rooms, lounges, locker rooms, saunas, steam rooms, six pedicure stations, eight manicure stations, a yoga studio, a two-story waterfall in the lobby, an outdoor patio with co-ed Jacuzzi, and much more


    .


    Dining


    • Branson’s IMAX® and McFarlain’s Restaurant present the first Montana Mike’s Steakhouse in Missouri at the intersection of Hwy. 76 and Gretna Road



    • Branson Landing’s new waterfront dining options will range from gourmet restaurants to themed restaurants to intimate cafes.



    • The Majestic Steakhouse, at the corner of Gretna Road and Roark Valley Road, treats guests to fine center-cut steaks and seafood.



    • Traditional Italian recipes and authentic dishes at Tony Z’s Ristorante are served in an elegant and romantic setting on Hwy. 165 near the Welk Resort.



    Shops


    • The 65,000 square foot Branson Mill Craft Village on Gretna Rd. near Factory Shoppes at Branson Meadows includes anchor tenant Mountain Man Nut and Fruit, 150 craft exhibits, and on-site working craftsmen.



    • Bass Pro Shops at Branson Landing will feature a 65,000 square foot retail store, operating marina and lakefront restaurant.



    • Belk Department Store at Branson Landing will offer 68,000 square feet of ready-to-wear apparel, accessories, shoes, cosmetics, gifts, home furnishings and more.



    • Branson Landing will offer a total of more than 400,000 square feet of national brand name shops, galleries and specialty gift shops.



    • Branson Hills Plaza shopping center includes Target, TJ Maxx, Home Depot and other retail shops and restaurants.


  • Bransonfest 2006 – Apr.4 – 8, Welk Resort, Branson, Mo.


    Editors Note: The Ozarks in the Spring, a convenient way to preview a lot of the Branson Shows all at once in the Branson Fest Concerts, and the opening of most of Branson’s theatres and attractions.If you are a Branson fan this is the event for you. We will publish the list of the shows appearing in the specific Branson Fest Concerts as they become available.



    Branson Fest – Branson’s Premier Festival for Entertainment, Food and Fun!



    What: BransonFest 2006, features performing, visual, and culinary artists,transforming the Welk Resort Theatre into an exciting festival of sights, sounds and flavors for Branson fans. BransonFest was established in 1993 and has grown to be the largest event of Branson’s spring season. This award-winning, five-day festival offers a preview of area shows and attractions, kicking off an exciting new Spring season of entertainment in Branson.



    When: Tuesday, April 4th through Saturday, April 8th



    Branson Fest Concerts – Main Stage – Welk Resort Theatre


    Purchased tickets required


    Tuesday – 7:00 pm., Wednesday – Saturday – 2:00 pm daily



    Taste of Branson Food Tent: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.(Wednesday – Saturday)


    Food purchase available 12 noon – 6 pm Tuesday



    Hospitality, Business and Arts Expo: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.(Wednesday – Saturday)


    12 noon – 6 pm Tuesday



    Real American Entertainment Tent: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Wednesday – Saturday)


    12 noon – 6 pm Tuesday



    Location: The Welk Resort Theatre


    1984 State Hwy 165, Branson, Missouri 65616


    Phone:(417) 337-7469 or 800-734-5515


    Fax: (417) 334-7744



    Indoor Concerts: Daily concerts will take place inside the Welk Resort Theatre and will feature some of Branson’s most popular performers and represent the wide array of entertainment choices available in Branson. Tickets required.



    Hospitality &


    Business Expo: A visit to the Hospitality and Business Expo gives fans a chance to chat one-on-one


    with their favorite Branson stars as they participate in special autograph sessions. Other


    featured area businesses include attractions, retail and civic organizations.Enter to win prizes from favorite Branson businesses and check out what’s new this year.



    Arts, Culture & The Arts, Culture & Heritage area showcases Ozark Mountain art, culture and


    Heritage: history presented by local artists.Sponsored by the Branson Arts Council.


    See daily featured artists as they demonstrate their unique craftsmanship.



    Outdoor Activities: The “Real American Entertainment” Tent features the stage where visitors will see a variety of performers from Branson’s shows and organizations.



    In the Taste of Branson Food Tent visitors will get the opportunity to sample a variety of local dishes.The Food Tent Stage will feature special presentations highlighting food and entertainment.



    “Streetmosphere” will be featured throughout Branson Fest in the Courtyard area outside the Tents. Dance troupes, magic acts, special demonstrations, and costumed characters will be sure to entertain visitors during the warm spring days of Branson Fest.Saturday features children’s activities.




    Reservations: For individual reservations to the Main Stage shows, call 417-337-7469 or 800-734-5515


    For group reservations, call, 417-337-9200 or 866-337-5454.



    Ticket Prices: Main Show:$29.50 (+ tax) for individuals • $27 for groups


    Tents and Outdoor Activities are free.



    General Contacts: For more information, contact the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce at


    1-800-214-3661.