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| Mary Kellogg presenting introduction to Ozark Mountain Spring . |
A standing room only audience, that one speaker described as, “The heartbeat of Branson,” gathered in the Branson Convention Center, in Branson, Missouri on the morning of Jan. 16, for the formal announcement of a new Branson event called “Ozark Mountain Spring.” In her introductory remarks, Mary Kellogg, the co-owner of the “Titanic – Worlds Largest Museum Attraction” and one of the community leaders championing Ozark Mountain Spring, described the event as a way of “refreshing our guest’s experience” and “giving them added value.”
In referring to “BransonFest,” an event that has helped open Branson’s spring season for many years and is not part of Ozark Mountain Spring, Kellogg simply explained, “Without a doubt, BransonFest served the community very well, but it got tired, that just happens and that’s OK.” She used an experience from her career involving the changing of a ride that had been in place at Disney for 20 years.
She said there was great reluctance to make the changes, but they were made and resulted in a ride that presented the opportunity to market something new, kept the basic marketing concept safe and gave the guests added value. Kellogg asserted Branson has that same opportunity with Ozark Mountain Spring.
She pointed out that Ozark Mountain Spring would be an extension of the “Ozark Mountain” brand that Branson “owns” and has proven so successful in the marketing of “Ozark Mountain Christmas,” Ozark Mountain Spring will run from March 1 through Memorial Day and will incorporate over 40 separate events. The events, most of which have been held separately in prior years, also include a number of new events such as the Great American Pie Show and a cooking school presented by “Taste of Home” magazine, the Hand in Hand Purple Heart Veteran’s Event presented by Branson.Com and the Branson Air Show presented by the Branson Airport.
Kellogg announced that the “1st Annual “Great American Pie Show” will be held at the Branson Convention Center on Apr. 24 and Apr. 25 with the First Place Winner receiving a prize of $2,500.00 plus a 4 day – 3 night stay in Branson. She said that NBC’s Al Roker will be a celebrity judge for the final pie judging on Saturday and will also be available for a book signing and question and answer session
Concurrent with the pie show Taste of Home will also present a Cooking School. There will be two sessions, one on April 24 and the other on April 25.
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| Marlyce Stockinger presenting the "Hand in Hand" Purple Hearts Recipient’s Event. |
Marlyce Stockinger, Director of Advertising and Public Relations, Branson.Com announced the “Hand in Hand Purple Heart Veterans Event” on Apr. 24 and Apr. 25 sponsored by Branson.Com. The event honors Purple Heart Recipients and all its activities are absolutely free to Purple Heart Recipients.
Stockinger said the two day event will include many exciting and inspirational activities including the opening ceremony at the Hamner Barber Theatre on April 24 and a fishing tournament on Table Rock Lake, a special “Hand in Hand” show at the Hamner Barber Theatre on April 25. The event will conclude with an inspiring “Purple Mountain Majesty Twilight Ceremony” at the Branson Landing on April 25.
Gene Conrad, Deputy Director of Marketing & Air Service Development for the Branson Airport said the 1st Annual Branson Air Show will be held on May 8 through May 10. The air show will help celebrate the opening the airport to commercial service on May 11, will have static displays of aircraft, a concert, and feature some of the country’s top air show performers, including the USAF Thunderbirds many other national known air show performers.
