White Water is two million gallons of water fun and excitment for the whole family.
“Every weekend in Branson is special, but there’s just something about Memorial Day Weekend in Branson,” says Paul Miller, General Manager of the Branson Tourism Center. “Perhaps it’s because that’s the long weekend many people associate with the “unofficial” beginning of summer, but one thing is for certain, there is a synergy in the air in Branson that just seems to shout, ‘Let the summer fun begin.’”
What better place than Branson, Missouri for that to happen? Pristine lakes, great fishing, boating, golfing, hiking and access to the natural beauty of the Ozarks, coupled with its live shows, attractions, shopping and activities, make Branson the most unique and one of the most fun filled destinations in the world. Factor in the it’s a long holiday weekend and some of the other exciting things happening that weekend and why would anyone want to be anywhere else but in Branson over Memorial Day Weekend?
While the vast majority of Branson attractions are already open, its biggest water park, “White Water,” opens over Memorial Day Weekend. Featuring “Kalani Towers,” a 7- story, 6- slide, thrill ride, the 12 acre attraction has more than a dozen rides, and 7,000 feet of water slides all set in a tropical theme. From play areas for toddlers to the towering “Kalani Towers” White Water offers more than two million gallons of water excitement and fun for Branson visitors and is a wonderful adventure for all ages and families.
Silver Dollar City, celebrating its 50th Anniversary this season, will be hosting its “Bluegrass and BBQ Festival” featuring succulent BBQ served with a choice of over 100 sauces and great Bluegrass music. The festival includes over 50 Bluegrass bands and groups that will be presenting hundreds of performances of both traditional and contemporary Bluegrass music throughout the park. Over 15 of these groups will be appearing over the Memorial Day Weekend including the last day of “The Grascals,” 2010 SPBGMA Bluegrass Band of the Year, on May 28 and IBMA Hall of Fame Inductee Bobby Osborne and the Rocky Top X-press on May 31.
The father and son team of Herkimer and Cecil provide some of their unique action filled comedy at "Presleys' Country Jubilee."
The Bluegrass and BBQ Festival is in addition to everything else that the 1880s Ozarks theme park is famous for. Its 100 craftsmen demonstrating glass blowing, basket weaving, blacksmithing, pottery, candy making, candle making, and many other crafts; over 30 rides and attractions; 60 unique shops; restaurants and the award winning friendliness of its staff have been “Creating memories worth remembering” for over 50 years.
Miller points out that Branson’s full schedule of live shows features a wide variety of live entertainment for every taste. From the amazing skill and agility of the “Acrobats of China,” to the magic, comedy and ventriloquism of “Hamner and Barber” and the spectacular biblical production “NOAH the Musical,” the majority of Branson’s most popular shows, such as “Jim Stafford,” “Presleys’ Country Jubilee,” “Pierce Arrow,” “SIX,” “Liver Pool Legends,” “Twelve Irish Tenors,” “Broadway the Star Spangled Celebration,” The Spirit of the Dance,” “The “Showboat Branson Belle,” “Duttons,” “Rankin Brothers”, “Haygoods,” “Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express,” “Hughes Brothers, ” “Dixie Stampede,” “The Platters,” “Legends in Concert” and “The Righteous Brother Bill Medley,” will be performing.
“And those are just some of the dozens of regular Branson shows that will be open over the Memorial Day Weekend,” said Miller. He points out that in addition “The Oak Ridge Boys” and “Ronnie Reno and the Cumberland Highlanders” will be performing limited engagement appearances that weekend and that Branson’s unique Polynesian show “Island Fire,” starts its season on May 28.
From lakes, to water parks, Bluegrass, BBQ, attractions, live entertainment and fun for everyone in the family, Branson is the place to spend your Memorial Day Weekend. Miller advises advance reservations for lodging and shows to ensure availability and the best accommodations and seating. For additional information or tickets for any of the shows or attractions mentioned in this article or any of Branson’s other shows, attractions and activities or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services. It can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.