Andy Williams grand marshal of Holiday Promenade of Stars

Third annual parade Nov. 7 at 10:30 a.m. on Highway 76

BRANSON, Mo. -- “Mr. Christmas” Andy Williams will usher in Ozark Mountain Christmas as the grand marshal for the Third Annual Holiday Promenade of Stars on the world famous Highway 76 at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 7.

Branson celebrities, marching bands and floats will follow the 1.4 mile-long parade route beginning at White Water and ending at the Grand Village with a few pauses for stars to perform on stage in front of the Titanic Museum.

“When Ronald Reagan was president he declared that Andy Williams’ voice a national treasure. Here in Branson, we agree that he is not only our national treasure, but also our ‘Mr. Christmas’ in recognition of his traditional Christmas television specials, holiday albums and his annual Christmas show at the beautiful Moon River Theatre,” said Gary Bartlett of Midwest Concerts and Events and parade organizer.

Williams will be returning to Branson to launch his Christmas show and serve as grand marshal for the parade from a national tour promoting his autobiography, “Moon River and Me” and a concert in London.

In addition to Williams, celebrity performances include Cathy Rigby as Peter Pan, the Lennon Sisters, the Osmonds, Tony Orlando, the Spirit of Christmas Dancers, the cast of “A Dickens’ Christmas Carol’ from Silver Dollar City and an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Debby Boone and Jimmy Osmond are hosts for the television special and extensive media coverage. The Saturday parade, which officially ushers in the holiday season for the entertainment town, has been labeled the “Macy’s of the Midwest” and will be featured on local and national television broadcasts. The television special will be broadcast Thanksgiving Day and rebroadcast Christmas Day to an estimated 102 million plus households across the nation. In the Springfield/Branson area the parade special will be televised on KSFX Ozarks FOX and Vacation Channel. National broadcasts are on RFD TV and Retro Television Network (RTN). RFD TV is carried on several satellite and cable providers including over 625 independent cable operators to 42 million households and RTN is seen in 17 of the top 25 markets to more than 60 million households on nearly 100 stations in cities such as Pittsburg, Atlanta, Seattle, Orlando, St. Louis and Boston, according to Nielsen ratings.

In Branson KOMC‐FM will present an uninterrupted live broadcast 10:30 a.m. to noon. Eric Marshall will be the host of the radio broadcast.

Press Release Crafted by Linda Ward
Event organized by Gary Bartlett of Midwest Concerts and Events 417-336-075

Branson Shows Performing During Christmas Week

The Branson Chamber of Commerce published a list today of Branson Shows open during the week of Christmas.

Dec. 20 - Dec. 25

• Acrobats of China / New Shanghai Circus (Dec. 20 - 23rd, 8 p.m.)
• Allen Family Simply Christmas at the Circle B Chuckwagon Theatre (Dec. 20-24)
• Amazing Pets at Grand Country (Dec. 24-25, 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.)
• American Presidents Museum (Dec. 20, 23rd)
• Big Smith at Waxy O'Shea's (Dec. 20, 9 p.m.)
• Christmas on the Trail at Shepherd of the Hills (5:30 p.m.)
• Circle B Supper Show (Dec. 20th – 5 Pm)
• Dixie Stampede (Dec. 20-23rd)
• Kirby & Bambi VanBurch (Dec. 20-23rd - 8 p.m.)
• Legends in Concert Christmas Show (Dec. 20, 3 p.m. & 8 p.m.)
• Noah The Musical (Dec. 20th)
• Owens Theatre (Every Day)
• Pierce Arrow (Dec. 20th Show)
• Red Head Express at the Circle B Chuckwagon Theatre (Dec. 20th)
• Showboat Branson Belle (Dec. 20th Show)
• Silver Dollar City (Open thru Dec. 23rd; Re-open Dec. 26-30th)
• Twelve Irish Tenors (Dec. 20th, 3 p.m. & 8 p.m.)
• White House Theatre (No show Dec. 24, Dec. 25)
• Wissman Family Christmas (Dec. 20, 10 a.m.)
• Branson Area Festival of Lights Display
• Branson Landing Cruises
• Butterfly Palace and Rainforest (Dec. 20-24, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
• Cosmic Caverns (Dec. 20-24)
• Dinosaur Museum/Haunted House
• Enchanted Forest Light Display at Indian Point
• Fantastic Caverns (Dec. 20-23, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
• Imax Entertainment Complex (Dec. 20-23, Dec. 25 open at 12:30 p.m.)
• Ripley's Believe It or Not!
• Shepherd of the Hills Trail of Lights
• Stone Hill Winery (Dec. 20, 22, 23: 8:30 am-6:30 pm; Dec. 21: 10 am-6 pm; Dec. 24: 8:30 am-5 pm)
• Titanic Museum Attraction (9-5 through Dec. 23; 9-4 on Dec. 24)
• Veterans Memorial Museum
• Tanger Outlets (Dec. 20, 22, 23: 9am - 9pm; Dec. 21: 10am - 7pm., Dec. 24: 9am - 6pm)
• Shopping

Restaurants Open Christmas Day

• Chateau Grille, 417-334-1161
• Devils Pool, 417-335-2777
• Golden Corral, 417-336-6297
• Grand Country, 417-335-2434
• Liberty Tavern, 417-336-1112
• McFarlain's Restaurant, 417-336-4680
• Outback Steak & Oyster Bar, 417-334-6306
• Trofi Restaurant & Lounge, 417-336-5400

Dec. 26 - Dec. 31 (see below for New Year's Eve events)

• #1 Hits Of 60’s (Dec. 26-30 at 2 pm)
• 50's At The Hop (Dec. 26-30 at 8pm)
• Acrobats of China / New Shanghai Circus (Dec. 26-30 at 8pm and 3pm on Dec. 27th & 28th)
• Allen Family Simply Christmas at the Circle B Chuckwagon Theatre
• Amazing Pets at Grand Country (Dec. 26, 10 a.m. & 2 p.m.; Dec. 27-31, 10 a.m.)
• American Presidents Museum (Dec. 26-27, 30)
• Circle B Supper Show (Dec. 27–30, 5 p.m.)
• Christmas on the Trail at Shepherd of the Hills (5:30 p.m.)
• Comedy Jamboree at Grand Country (2 p.m.)
• Dixie Stampede (Dec. 26-27)
• Grand Jubilee at Grand Country (8 p.m.)
• Hughes Brothers (Dec. 29 & 30 - 8 p.m.; Dec. 31 - 9 p.m.)
• Jim Stafford (Dec. 27-31, 8pm)
• Kirby & Bambi VanBurch (Dec. 26, 28, 29, 30 at 8 p.m.; 2 p.m. On Dec. 27)
• Legends In Concert (Dec. 26-Dec. 30 at 3 p.m. & 8 p.m.; Dec. 31 at 3 p.m & 9:30pm)
• Magnificent 7 (Dec 26, 27, 29, 30 at 7pm; Dec. 31 at 9pm)
• Owens Theatre
• Pierce Arrow (Dec. 26, 27, 29, 30 at 8 pm; Dec. 31 at 9 pm)
• Roy Rogers, Jr. at the Happy Trails Theater (Dec. 29, 30 and 31 at 10 a.m.)
• American Presidents Museum (Dec. 31)
• Branson Area Festival of Lights Display
• Branson Landing Cruises
• Butterfly Palace and Rainforest (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
• Cosmic Caverns
• Dinosaur Museum/Haunted House
• Enchanted Forest Light Display at Indian Point
• Fantastic Caverns (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
• Ghost and Haunt Tours (7 p.m.)
• Imax Entertainment Complex
• Ripley's Believe It or Not!
• Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum Attraction (Dec. 29, 30, and 31: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. )
• Shepherd of the Hills Trail of Lights
• Showboat Branson Belle (Daily 4 p.m.; 4 p.m. & 8 p.m. Dec. 31)
• Silver Dollar City (Dec. 26-30th)
• Titanic Museum Attraction (9 a.m. - 8 p.m., Dec. 27-31)
• Veterans Memorial Museum
• Tanger Outlets (Dec. 26, 27, 29, 30: 9am - 9pm; Dec. 28: 10am - 7pm.; Dec. 31: 9am - 6pm)
• Shopping

New Year's Day (Jan. 1)

• 50's At The Hop (January 1-3 at 8pm)
• Amazing Pets at Grand Country (2 p.m.)
• Comedy Jamboree At Grand Country (8 p.m.)
• Dixie Stampede (through Jan 3rd)
• Hughes Brothers (8 p.m.)
• Owens Theatre
• The Club At Lodge Of The Ozarks
• Fantastic Caverns (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
• Imax Entertainment Complex
• Titanic Museum Attraction (9 a.m.- 5 p.m.)
• Branson Landing Cruises
• Butterfly Palace and Rainforest (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
• Cosmic Caverns
• Ghost and Haunt Tours (7 p.m.)
• Ripley's Believe It or Not!
• Veterans Memorial Museum
• Dinosaur Museum/Haunted House
• Tanger Outlets (9am - 6pm)
• Shopping

Branson Adoration Parade Winners

The 60th Annual Adoration Celebration drew record crowds, according to a news release.

The parade adheres to a non-commercial policy with each of the 39 floats free of advertising and identified only with the name of the organization. There were 16 bands.

The extent of the Christmas celebration in Branson—with special shows in the theaters, special events and lighting at Silver Dollar City and the three area Christmas light drive-throughs—is one reason that Branson was included among seven destinations for the Travel Channel’s special, “Most Christmasy Places In America.”

The special airs on Dec. 10 at 7 and 11 p.m., Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. and Dec. 17 at 8 a.m. and 4 and 10 p.m.

Here are the 2008 Adoration Parade Float/Walking Unit Awards:

Non-Profit/Religious
1) Faith Life Church
2) Purdy First Freewill Church
3) First Baptist Church - Forsyth

Non-Profit/Non-Religious
1) Girl Scout Troop 294
2) Branson/Hollister Rotary
3) Kiwanis of Stone County

For-Profit/Religious
1) Sight & Sound Theater
2) Camp Little Paws
3) The Vacation Channel

For-Profit/Non-Religious
1) At Your Service Limousine
2) Taney County Tire

2008 Adoration Parade Band Awards

Red (Fewer Than 40 Students)
1) Blue Eye Marching Bulldogs
2) Spokane Marching Owls
3) Billings Wildcats

White (41-75 Students)
1) Riverton Fighting Rams, Riverton, Kan.
2) Strafford Flaming Arrows
3) Fair Grove Marching Eagles

Blue (More than 76 Students)
1) Joplin Eagle Pride

Drum & Bugle Corps
1) Hillcrest Highlanders

Branson's 60th Christmas Adoration Parade Route (Photo)

 

Branson's 60th Adoration Parade will ensue Sunday. Click image to see the parade route with a 3d model of the city rendered in Google Earth. From the Press Release:

More than 30,000 people are expected to see the 60th Annual Adoration Parade in Downtown Branson Sunday.

The parade, which starts at 5 p.m., will go on a 1.5-mile route beginning at Commercial and Long streets. It will go through downtown, then to Branson Landing.

According to the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, the route will feature 39 floats and 16 bands from area high schools as well as two from Kansas.

As always, the parade will kick off with the lighting of the Adoration Scene, a large nativity with figures as tall at 28 feet, that overlooks downtown Branson from a bluff along Lake Taneycomo. The figures were repainted this year by Branson High School art students.

Also on Sunday, at 2 p.m., area singers and musicians will present a free performance of Handel’s “Messiah” at the First Baptist Church in Branson. Performance will feature an orchestra and more than 50 singers.

Branson to Host Capitol Christmas Tree

BRANSON WELCOMES OUR NATION'S CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE (City of Branson Official Release)

For the first time, our nation’s official Christmas tree will make an appearance in Branson, arriving on Saturday, Nov. 15, for public viewing in front of the Grand Palace.
At 11 a.m., there will be a 30-minute, star-filled, patriotic and Christmas musical presentation. "Mr. Christmas” Andy Williams will emcee and The Spirit of Christmas dancers, The Lennon Sisters, Pierce Arrow, Bob Anderson, SIX and the cast of Celebrate America will perform.
The 138-year-old sub-Alpine Fir — or Rocky Mountain Fir — left Montana’s Bitterroot National Forest on Nov. 4. It was about 100 feet tall when felled, and 77 feet will be transported.
They rejected some more perfect tree specimens because of their environmentally sensitive positions along creek banks. An elder of the local Salish Indian tribe blessed the tree at a ceremony attended by more than 600 people.
According to US Forest Service representatives, the elder said the tree has a greater calling now, to bring joy to many people. On the 3,100-mile trip, the caravan will stop in 18 Montana cities and three in North Dakota before arriving in Branson, where it will be parked in front of the Grand Palace on Saturday, November 15.
The crew of 13 people who accompany the tree will stay in Branson on Sunday, visiting local attractions. The tree on its 95-foot trailer will be housed overnight inside the Branson Convention Center.
The tree is kept fresh with a rubber “vase” on the cut end with a ready supply of water. Asking a national forest to provide “the people’s tree,” as the Capitol Christmas Tree is often called, is a tradition that started in 1970. Each year since then, a different national forest, and the state in which the forest is located, is asked to provide the tree, and all of the trimmings, as a gift to our nation.
The tree will be officially lit in front of the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 2.

Branson Festival Of Lights to start in November

The Branson Chamber of Commerce issued a press release yesterday announcing the Branson Area Festival of Lights will begin in November this year. The drive through spectacle will open November 1st - December 31st.

Full Press Release