Branson’s infamous Highway 76 will be “America‘s Funnest Traffic Jam” again this August as Cruisin’ Branson Lights makes it way into town. The four-day automotive festival, scheduled for Aug. 12-15, has been dealing with the increasing problem of burnouts and drinking by unregistered outsiders during the annual “midnight cruise,” creating a danger to drivers and spectators lining Highway 76. <\/FONT><\/P> <\/FONT><\/P> City officials considered canceling the <\/FONT><\/P> Last year one officer was slightly injured and police had to brandish nightsticks to control the crowd. The Missouri State Highway Patrol will not allow any of its eight officers at the event to be on foot. They will, however, send two-man cars to respond to incidents.<\/FONT><\/P> Branson Assistant Police Chief Caroll McCullough said 50 officers were assigned to the event last year and 82 citations were issued. McCullough said the Taney County Sheriff’s Office has agreed to supply officers for Friday night and the Saturday night cruise. “We will maintain (the crowd) as much as we can, but hopefully we will be able to try some different things this year,” he said.<\/FONT><\/P> <\/FONT><\/P> Cruisin’ Branson Lights began in 1995 with 287 street rods, customs, motorcycles, race cars, muscle cars and classic cars and trucks. The festival was held at Mutton Hollow Park, now occupied by Celebration City. Each year since, Cruisin’ Branson Lights, in its 10th year, increases its size and has now grown to more than 1,000 vehicles with an estimated 70,000 spectators watching the <\/FONT><\/P> Onlookers pack sidewalks all along the road and parking lots to catch a glimpse of the vehicles. Some watch the ongoing parade from hotel balconies. Dody said there were still some details to work out with Cruisin’ Branson Lights founder Jerry Titus before the special event permit is approved, but felt confident they would be taken care of.<\/FONT><\/P>
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