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| Jim Stafford will be performing during Branson’s Hot Winter Fun. |
The simple fact of the matter is that a trip to Branson, Missouri in January is not the same as a trip in August. Most people coming in January are aware of the weather differences and would not expect full slate of water and other outdoor activities more suitable for summer weather. What a lot of first time visitors don’t know, or fully appreciate, is that the show schedule for Branson’s “Winter Season,” is drastically reduced from that available during the “Season,” the rest of the year. Branson’s "Winter Season" runs from approximately the second or third Saturday in Dec. to until about mid March when Silver Dollar City opens and more shows start to open for the season.
The Branson area has a promotion called “Hot Winter Fun,” which covers roughly the time period of mid December through March 31. It should be remembered when looking at a Hot Winter Fun promotional piece or their web site that, in the majority, the only establishments they are showing are those that are part of the promotion. There are many additional restaurants, shows, retail establishments, etc. that will be open during all or a portion of Branson’s Winter Season that are not part of the Hot Winter Fun promotion. In terms of shows particularly, it should be remembered that just because a show is listed doesn’t mean that it will be open all during the period covered by Hot Winter Fun or that one not listed will not be open for at least a portion of the same period.
Just a glance at the Hot Winter Fun Show Schedule for the period January 11 through 17, 2007 illustrates the general point. It shows only eight or nine theatres open during that period none of which are Shoji Tabuchi, Andy Williams, Legends in Concert, Darin Romeo, Cirque, Duttons, The Preleys’ Country Jubilee, Shepherd of the Hills, Gatlin Brothers, Oak Ridge Boys, Doug Gabriel, Jim Stafford, or many of the other Branson shows that people coming to Branson might normally expect to see.
The thing to remember however is there are still plenty of excellent shows open that will entertain “your socks off” and that the schedule of shows opening is constantly changing from now until the “Season” opens. As but one example, although Jim Stafford is not open during the period January 11 through 17 he will be opening on Thursdays through Saturdays with a gradually expanding schedule starting on January 26.
Obviously, those wanting to see a particular show should check to make sure the show they want to see will be open while they are in town. As was pointed out above, particularly as the Winter Season moves closer to its end there will be shows such as, but not limited to, Shoji Tabuchi, Presleys’ Country Jubilee, etc. that will be opening who are not listed as part of the Hot Winter Fun promotion.
If the Ole Seagull wanted to see what shows were available on a given date, he would go to the site of a major reputable on line ticket agent such as Reserve Branson.com, enter the dates he was going to be in Branson and scroll through the alphabetical listing looking for shows that will be open on the dates that he indicated. Such a search would show that if he wanted to see the Shoji Tabuchi Show on January 24 he’d best get over it because “There is currently nothing available ” on that date. The same search for March 24 shows that there is a show at 7:30 p.m.
Obviously, another way to do it would be to go to contact the individual theatres directly either by phone or through their web sites. Either way, a little pre planning can help avoid disappointment and help make your trip to Branson a pleasant experience you won’t ever forget and one that will bring you back to see us again.
Originally Published In the Branson Courier on Jan. 13, 2007.
