Branson’s Ozark Mountain Spring Festival covers over 40 different events. Some of those events such as “Branson’s Great American Pie Show,” sponsored by the Branson Lakes Area CVB and the “Hand-in-Hand Branson Honors Purple Heart Recipients,” sponsored by Branson.Com are new events. Others like Historic Downtown Branson’s “Plumb Nellie Days,” being celebrated May 15-17, are an ingrained part of Branson’s history and heritage.
This year’s celebration is the 36th Annual Plumb Nellie Days, a traditional springtime event organized by the the Downtown Branson Main Street Association (DBMA). Prior to leaving her position as DBMA’s Executive Director recently, Dawn Erickson said, “When I was growing up in Branson, we looked forward to this festival all year long. We dressed up in pioneer costumes, the men had beard-growing contests, and the kids competed in greased pig and other old-fashioned competitions, and everyone came to watch the parade. A carnival was set up near the railroad tracks, and cakewalks and other games were held on Commercial Street.
“I’ve always heard that the name is derived from an old-fashioned surveyor’s term “plumb” which means exactly, and ‘nellie’ is a colloquial expression for ‘nearly.” We think the word spring was also part of the original name. So Plumb Nellie probably means ‘exactly nearly spring.’ It makes no sense, but it’s such a fun name for a springtime festival.”
Information received from DBMA indicates there will be over 100 artists, crafters and food vendors. Most of the craft booths will be under tents that will be located in the Awbery parking lot at Commercial and Pacific Streets in historic downtown Branson, just behind Dick’s Old-Fashioned 5 & 10. The Plumb Nellie Days location is easy to fine, just go to the center of Historic Downtown Branson, the corner of Main and Commercial Street, turn north and “You can’t miss it.” Commercial Street is closed to traffic for one block, from Main Street north to Atlantic for the event.
The arts and crafts festival will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, May 15-16, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 17. There is no charge for admission and all the arts and crafts and entertainment are free. Live music, including blue grass, gospel, and rock and roll, will be presented by “Elvis,” Bob Mabe, The American Kids, Red Head Express and others.
“The Outrageous Dog Show,” one of “Plumb Nellie Days” most popular events, will take place on Saturday, May 16 with registration starting at 9 a.m. This is a fun event with the dogs competing in categories such as “cutest, ugliest, most spots, look alike, and best dressed.”
For additional information on “Plumb Nellie Days” call the DBMA at 417-334-1548. For information on Branson lodging, shows, attractions or other assistance with Branson travel needs please feel free to contact the Branson Tourism Center at 1-800-785-1550 or online at their web site.
