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| Roman rider jumps his horses through the Hoops of Fire. |
Branson, Missouri is no stranger to either live shows or live entertainment, but, as Paul Miller, General Manager for the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services and sellers of Branson show and attraction tickets and lodging, said, “Even in Branson ‘Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction’ stands out.”
The fun starts as people walk from the parking lot to the main entrance and pass by the “real stars” of the show, the horses in their stalls. The fun and anticipation of what is to come continues to build during the "Pre Show” in the Carriage Room.
It is an exciting fast paced fun filled show presented by David Lucas, a very talented entertainer who keeps the comedy coming as he tells jokes, plays the banjo and juggles everything from hoops to silk scarves and machetes. His ability to weave his humor into his fabulous juggling routines not only keeps all ages of the audience entertained, but builds anticipation and excitement for what is to follow in the main auditorium. Tiger Woods is pretty good with a golf club and ball however, it is doubtful that even he can make them do what Lucas does on his last routine.
Right after the preshow the audience enters the main 85,000 square foot area where they go to their seats and have their first contact with the show, their server. At Dixie Stampede the server is an integral part of the show and does more than merely serve food. They provide a lot of the excitement that makes up the Dixie Stampede entertainment experience. From her pleasant greeting, great service, interaction with our group to her spirited participation during the competition, Jennifer, our server, did an outstanding job and added to the fun, spirit and enjoyment of the evening in a big way.
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| The grand finale provides a spectacular and patriotic end to a great evening of entertainment. and fun. |
The Master of Ceremonies comes out mounted on a beautiful black Friesian horse and, in an entertaining manner, explains that after dinner there will be friendly competition between the North and South, lets folks know what side they are on and then spends some time getting the sides excited and stirred up for the competition that is to come. As he introduces the armies the nonstop fun and excitement begins with marching armies and thundering Calvary.
After the introduction of the armies and some fast paced maneuvers by the Calvary of the North and South there is a wonderful show taking the audience back to the very early days of the early west. It starts with animals grazing on a surreal plain before there were any humans and evolves through a heard of a heard of long horn cattle and the settlers moving in with their wagons. In between there is a beautiful act involving the Native American culture, a medicine man and the “Spirit of the Bird, a spectacular aerialist who soars high above the arena, in a performance that is poignant, beautiful, exciting, and graceful that will be remembered by audience members of all ages for a long time.
As the settlers move in and set up camp the servers start serving the food and there is plenty of it. No one with a normal appetite should leave Dixie Stampede hungry. Dinner consists of a whole mouth watering chicken, delicious hickory smoked barbecued pork loin, Dixie Stampede’s Original Creamy Vegetable Soup, Scrumptious Homemade Biscuit, Hot Buttered Corn on the Cob, Tasty Herb Basted Potato, Dixie’s very own Specialty Dessert and unlimited Pepsi, tea, or coffee. There is a vegetarian menu available if requested when the reservations are made.
As dinner is being served the entertainment continues nonstop with some of the most beautiful horses and skilled riders performing some of the most amazing feats of horsemanship most people will ever see. From Roman Riding and jumps through fiery hoops to racing buck boards and trick riding of many different types, the show is amazing. This pesky guy “Skeeter” keeps showing up and when he does get ready for some surprises and laughter because Skeeter doesn’t do “serious.
After the show and meal the competition begins with a number of different events. Some are done between the competing North and South Calvary, others such as the chicken chase and toilet seat competitions involve participants from the audience and still others involve racing pigs and miniature horses, but all just add to the fun, excitement and adventure that is Dixie Stampede.
The competition between North and South came down to the last action packed event involving the entire audience. The excitement crackled throughout the audience almost to a fever pitch as they endeavored to get victory for their side but, alas, on this night where both North and South won in terms of fun and excitement, the North was victorious.
The finale is a spectacular red white and blue patriotic salute with fireworks, riders and horses with luminous costumes and the Flying Doves of Peace. It is all set and conducted to the a song “Color Me America” written by Dolly Parton. What an end to a great evening of fun, excitement, adventure and entertainment.
Walking back to the car right after the performance the words of Dolly Parton from her Dixie Stampede advertisements came to mind, “My Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction is the most fun place to eat in Branson.” Those might just be the truest words that have ever appeared in an advertisement.
