Wow, great start to the first of the year. We've grabbed over 1,000 regular readers. This isn't as impressive to me as who reads this publication. Traffic from several major publication and Jefferson City were noted today..hmmmmm
Branson Has Some New Things Coming This Season - Here's the Lowdown from the Chamber as is:
• Andy Williams and Glen Campbell perform together again at The Moon River Theatre.
• The Welk Resort Theater hosts B.B. King, The King of the Blues, February 18-19; Ronnie McDowell, March 4-5; Ray Price, April 5-6; The Welk Reunion Show, Sept. 5-9; and Crystal Gayle and Lee Greenwood together in November and December.
• The musical The Promise returns to Branson and can be seen during the 3 pm time slot at Mansion America Theatre.
• The Branson Variety Theater presents “I Can’t Stop Loving You, The Music of Ray Charles Lives On” (April – Oct.); Debbie Reynolds (Sept.19-Sept. 22); Frankie Avalon and Brenda Lee together (Sept. 26 – 29 & Oct. 3 – 6); Neil Sedaka (Oct. 17 – 20); and Bobby Vinton Christmas Concert (Nov. 1– Dec. 8)
• Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater Complex presents Rock Legends of the 50s and 60s. Grammy Award-winning and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers, Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Comets, Fabian, Bobby Vee, The Chiffons, Brian Hyland, Chris Montez, Gary Lewis and The Playboys and others will perform. The complex will house The Patch Collection in a 32,000 square foot exhibit that takes visitors on a walk down memory lane through lifestyle displays that recreate the mood and spirit of 1957, including a museum-quality collection of classic cars, all vintage 1957. The complex will also include a 12,000 square foot Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Grill.
• The Grand Palace presents Martina McBride with special guest The Warren Brothers (March 10); Merle Haggard (March 11); Regis Philbin (April 7); and George Jones (June 17).
• The nationally-known touring bluegrass band, Goldwing Express, is moving to the Hughes Brothers Celebrity Theatre for Bluegrass and BBQ with Goldwing Express at 5pm.
• “Liverpool Legends” open at the Caravelle Theatre. They are the only Beatles Tribute Band endorsed by Louise Harrison, sister of George Harrison.
• Bart Rockett, illusionist, ventriloquist, magician and musician, returns to Branson and can be seen at Hwy. 76 at The Bart Rockett Theater. He’ll be joined by #1 Hits of the 60’s
• The Kirby Van Burch magic/variety show moves to the theater at 2353 State Hwy 248.
Attractions
• In the tradition of the magnificent expositions showcasing the technological wonders of the late 19th Century, Silver Dollar City presents an all-new development for 2006 – the Grand Exposition! An $8 million expansion in a new region of the theme park, the Grand Exposition recreates the pageantry of a triumphant American tour of discovery, including 10 new family rides that soar, whirl and fly.
• Celebration City partners with leaders in kids’ entertainment to present new family adventures for 2006, from interactive movie fun from Movie Magic to the extreme sport of Mountain Boarding. A whole new section of the park is added to accommodate the big-air outdoor Mountain Boards show, showcasing the freestyle athletics of this sport combining the movements of skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing and mountain biking in an exciting, high-flying extreme stunt show. Also new, movie fun takes center stage with Movie Magic: Lights, Camera, Action and YOU! – the live show that lets kids star in great movies like “The Pink Panther”, “Legally Blonde”, “Agent Cody Banks” and “Rocky.” America’s favorite vegetables Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber and all their Veggie friends star when VeggieTales premiers two new movies at Celebration City. Kids can meet Bob and Larry after the movie, and also build LEGO structures from castles to race cars in a new LEGO activity area.
• Silver Dollar City adds a 6th dynamic festival, Southern Gospel Picnic (Aug. 31 – Sept. 10), to its world-class events throughout the year. Southern Gospel Picnic features the sweet sounds of Southern Gospel music and a golden fried chicken spread with all the fixin’s.
• Silver Dollar City’s World-Fest (April 6 – May 7) presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view the highly-acclaimed Moscow Circus.
• Silver Dollar City’s The Bluegrass & BBQ Festival (May 13 – June 4) features a special appearance by the legendary Ricky Skaggs.
• Silver Dollar City’s National Kids’ Fest, (June 9– Aug. 20) welcomes Jim Fowler and his exotic animals to the stage, along with Extreme Parrots and Purina’s K-9s.
• Titanic: The World’s Largest Titanic Museum Attraction, on Hwy. 76 across from Legends Family Theater, features re-creations of first class staterooms, third class austere accommodations, the Grand Staircase, plus an interactive area for passengers to experience the touch of an iceberg. Visitors can view over 400 priceless artifacts and will be able to share the personal, heroic and tragic stories of its passengers. Opening is set for March 8. Regis Philbin will christen the ship on April 7.
• The Track Family Amusement Center opens a new location on Green Mountain Drive behind The Grand Palace featuring Andy’s Frozen Custard and a 10,000 square foot arcade.
• Grand Country Square hosts the Grand Country Open Pro Mini-Golf Tournament on April 8.
Developments
• Opening in 2006, Branson Landing will offer 95 acres of exciting shopping, dining, a luxurious Hilton hotel, condominiums, active marinas and a new town square. At the heart of the Landing is a town square large enough to accommodate 5,000 guests for festivals and music events and featuring a $7.5 million spectacular attraction that synchronizes water, light, sound and fire, created by Wet Design, the producers of world-class shows for Downtown Disney Marketplace in Orlando, Universal City Walk in California and the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Branson Landing will also feature a scenic boardwalk along the 1.5-mile Taneycomo lakefront. In addition, in 2007, the all-new Branson Convention Center and Hilton Convention Center Hotel, both managed by Hilton Hotels, will provide the Midwest’s newest and most entertaining business gathering destination.
• The Branson Hills subdivision, under construction in 2006, will offer 1,995 homes, condominiums and apartments. The development will feature a 63,000-square-foot shopping center.
• The newest addition to Branson’s golf courses is The Tribute, an 18-hole Bobby Clampett signature course designed to honor the late Payne Stewart. Located in the new Branson Hills subdivision, the course will open in spring 2007.
• Chateau on the Lake Resort and Conference Center opens the Spa Chateau, an 18,000 square foot, $5.5 million addition to their AAA four-diamond property on Table Rock Lake. Features include 11 treatment rooms, lounges, locker rooms, saunas, steam rooms, six pedicure stations, eight manicure stations, a yoga studio, a two-story waterfall in the lobby, an outdoor patio with co-ed Jacuzzi, and much more.
Dining
• Branson’s IMAX® and McFarlain’s Restaurant present the first Montana Mike’s Steakhouse in Missouri at the intersection of Hwy. 76 and Gretna Road
• Branson Landing’s new waterfront dining options will range from gourmet restaurants to themed restaurants to intimate cafes.
• The Majestic Steakhouse, at the corner of Gretna Road and Roark Valley Road, treats guests to fine center-cut steaks and seafood.
• Traditional Italian recipes and authentic dishes at Tony Z’s Ristorante are served in an elegant and romantic setting on Hwy. 165 near the Welk Resort.
Shops
• The 65,000 square foot Branson Mill Craft Village on Gretna Rd. near Factory Shoppes at Branson Meadows includes anchor tenant Mountain Man Nut and Fruit, 150 craft exhibits, and on-site working craftsmen.
• Bass Pro Shops at Branson Landing will feature a 65,000 square foot retail store, operating marina and lakefront restaurant.
• Belk Department Store at Branson Landing will offer 68,000 square feet of ready-to-wear apparel, accessories, shoes, cosmetics, gifts, home furnishings and more.
• Branson Landing will offer a total of more than 400,000 square feet of national brand name shops, galleries and specialty gift shops.
• Branson Hills Plaza shopping center includes Target, TJ Maxx, Home Depot and other retail shops and restaurants.
Events
• “WELCOME HOME 2006” will be held June 11-18, 2006. The week-long celebration is designed to show respect and appreciation for America’s heroes by honoring our often forgotten Vietnam Veterans.
