Silver Dollar City celebrate 50 years of helping to "Create Memories Worth Repeating." (Photo courtesy of Silver Dollar City)
Silver Dollar City, Branson’s oldest and most popular paid attraction, is celebrating 50 years of helping people “Create Memories Worth Repeating” throughout its 2010 season. Paul Miller, General Manager of the Branson Tourism Center points out however, that the weekend of May 1 will be a major highlight of the celebration as Silver Dollar City holds its 50th Birthday Party with special events and extended hours.
Silver Dollar City and all its rides will remain open until 10:00 pm on Friday, April 30 and on Saturday May 1, 1960. Miller says, “And that’s just the beginning; there is a whole weekend of special events planned in addition to World-Fest, the nation’s largest international festival and all the rides, entertainment and craftsmen for which Silver Dollar City is famous.
There will be two special concerts by the “Ozark Mountain Daredevils” on Friday, April 30. The concerts will be held in the Echo Hollow Amphitheatre at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and will require the purchase of a separate $5.00 event ticket. At 9:00 p.m. on both days, there will be a “Street Dance” on Main Street that will be lead by Silver Dollar City’s street characters as everyone dances “the night away with such family classics as the Macarena, the Hokey Pokey, and the ever-popular Chicken Dance.”
The official premiere of the new “Great American Country Nights” show in Echo Hollow will be presented at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 1st “with a special appearance by GAC show host Storme Warren, and a fireworks finale.” On Sunday, May 2nd the Birthday events will conclude with the 200 voice James River Assembly and Second Baptist Church choirs presenting a special “Night of Praise” at 6:00 p.m. in the Echo Hollow Amphitheatre.
Miller said, “May 1st is a very special day for Silver Dollar City and the entire Branson area because it will be 50 years from the day that Silver Dollar City first opened.” Special celebratory events marking that occasion will involve a special opening ceremony as the park opens at 9:00 a.m. on May 1st, just as it did 50 years ago and one of the biggest Birthday parties southwest Missouri has ever seen.
Silver Dollar City’s 50th Birthday Party will be held at 12:00 p.m. in the Echo Hollow Amphitheatre. Various dignitaries will be present and there will be special performances by the Baldknobbers, Haygoods, Lennon Sisters, and the Blues Brothers. Even the Birthday Cake will be special. It was baked from a recipe selected from recipes submitted by people from all over the country in a “Taste Of Home” contest specifically to select the “Official Birthday Cake.” The cake and winner will be revealed during the party and, of course, there will be birthday cake for everyone.
Miller points out that the May 1 weekend will be a very busy weekend in Branson, particularly for hotel and lodging. He suggests making reservations prior to traveling to Branson. For additional information on Silver Dollar City, the 50th Birthday events over the May 1st weekend, or for any of Branson’s other shows, attractions and activities or for hotels or lodging he suggests contacting the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.