Category Archives: Featured

Fish Fry and “Hillbilly Motorcycle Run” added to Branson Purple Heart Event

The vocal group SIX, one of Branson's hottest shows, performing for the Purple Heart Recipients at the Hand in Hand Entertinment Show during the 2009 event.

The inaugural two day “Hand in Hand Branson Honors Purple Heart Recipients (Hand in Hand)” event held in 2009 was so successful that it is being expanded to a three day event this year. It will be held in Branson, Missouri April 22 through 24. Hand in Hand is an extension of Branson’s passion and commitment to America’s active duty military, Veterans and their families and is made possible through the efforts of many Branson volunteers, including the overwhelming support of its entertainers, and the sponsorship of Branson.Com.

Hand in Hand is a unique event in many respects. It is the only event specifically intended to remember and honor those who have received the Purple Heart for combat wounds received while serving in America’s Armed Forces and has received the active support of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH.) Hand in Hand is sponsored by Branson.Com, a sister company of the Branson Tourism Center and is co-owned by Larry and Lianne Milton. At a recent press conference regarding the event Larry said, “The city of Branson honors Veterans all year long. It is our treat and honor, even if only in a small way, to be able to honor the Purple Heart Recipients for the sacrifices they have made on behalf of our country.”

At that same press conference Marlyce Stockinger, Director of Advertising and Public Relations for Branson.Com, went over each of the activities that will be a part of Hand in Hand explaining that it would incorporate many of last year’s activities while adding exciting new activities designed to entertain and honor the Purple Heart Recipients and their families. Click here for a complete list of the events activities.

New this year, at the request of those attending last year, will be a Fish Fry on April 23. Jim Thompson, the owner the Central Pro-Am Bass Association is the coordinator for the fish fry. He said it would be held on the soccer field of the Branson Hills RecPlex under big tents starting at 5:30 p.m. It is open to everyone, not just Purple Heart Recipients and Thompson encourages everyone to attend and honor the Purple Heart Recipients. There will be no charge to Purple Heart Recipients, but there will be a minimal $10.00 charge to all others.

Simultaneously with the Fishing Tournament, which will be held at the State Park Marina on Table Rock Lake from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on April 23 there will be a special new event for the spouses. The Dress Barn VIP Shopping Extravaganza for women, with hors d’oeuvres, tea, coffee and a 15% discount on all purchases, will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

On the afternoon of April 24 the first “Hillbilly Posse Motorcycle Run” will be held in honor of the Purple Heart Recipients. Taney County Sheriff Jimmy Russell, himself a motorcycle enthusiast, is coordinating the “Hillbilly Posse” and said it would run from Ozark to the fountains at Branson Landing. He encourages maximum rider participation in the run and said it is open to all motorcycle riders, Veterans and nonveterans, who want to participate and honor the Purple Heart Recipients. Russell said it will be a wonderful event to witness and ride in.

The “Posse Motorcycle Run” will take place rain or shine and will start at the Wal-Mart Parking Lot in Ozark with registration at 2:00 p.m. The run will depart for Branson at 4:00 p.m. and will proceed to Branson via U.S. Highway 65 where it will exit onto State Highway 76 and proceed east straight down Main Street to Branson Landing. It will then converge on the Branson Landing Fountains via the Branson Landing Promenade with an anticipated arrival time of about 4:45 p.m.

Stockinger suggests that the public can help honor the Purple Heart Recipients by lining the U.S. Highway 65 overpasses at Bee Creek Road, State Highway 248, and State Highway 76 as well as the Posse’s route down Main Street to the Branson Landing Fountains. She encourages the public to attend Hand in Hand’s inspiring “Purple Majesty Twilight Ceremony,” honoring the Purple Heart Recipients, at the Branson Landing Fountains starting at 5:30 p.m. and as many other activities as they can. There is a complete schedule of activities, registration forms and other information on Hand in Hand available on line through Branson.Com or the Branson Tourism Center. Telephone assistance can be obtained by calling 1-800-785-1550.

Grand Plaza Hotel is a grand Branson lodging experience

Grand Plaza Hotel from Branson Strip

Paul Miller, General Manager of the Branson Tourism Center was spot on when he said, “It makes no difference what the destination is, the choice of lodging will dramatically impact on the quality of the travel experience.” Miller explained that even in Branson, with all its attractions, shows, shopping, live entertainment and a myriad of other activities, it still applies.

Miller points out that the “Official Branson.Com Quick Find Accommodations List,” powered by the Branson Tourism Center, list dozens of quality lodging choices of every variety and price including the centrally located “Grand Plaza Hotel.” Recently, Kaely McNeely, Front Office Manager of the Grand Plaza Hotel said, “It’s a great choice for visitors coming to Branson because of the hotel’s location, value, family friendly amenities and the variety of accommodations offered.”

She points out that if “location, location, location” applies to any hotel in Branson it has to be the Grand Plaza. The 200 room suite hotel is located about a block north of the famed “Branson Strip” and provides the best of both worlds, quick access to the strip when desired and the peace and quiet of not being directly on the strip. It is also convenient to Branson’s “Blue” and “Red” Routes providing alternate routes to help avoid the traffic congestion on Highway 76. This can be particularly helpful when going to places like Silver Dollar City, Branson Landing, or coming into or leaving Branson.

The hotel is also located within walking distance of one of Branson’s largest and most popular discount factory outlet malls the “Tanger Outlet Center.” McNeely also points out that the hotel is within easy walking distance of the Horn family’s “Circle B Supper Club” and the “Branson Variety Theatre” home to some of Branson’s best shows such as the “Twelve Irish Tenors,” “Broadway, the Star Spangled Celebration,” “Spirit of the Dance,” “Spirit of Christmas” and Branson’s newest show “Shake Rattle and Roll.”

The Grand Plaza’s “Plaza View Restaurant” is managed by Jack Hamilton. It is noted for its Prime Rib and the spectacular view from its ninth floor location.

McNeely said that the hotel is completely nonsmoking and has a choice of accommodations to meet the needs of just about any Branson visitor. With “Family Units” having two bedrooms and bathrooms, “Honey Moon/ Executive Suites” with a separate closed off sitting area, and their “Standard Queen Room,” with two queen sized beds the Grand Plaza has accommodations to meet just about every lodging need.

When talking about value and amenities she said that they include a game room, indoor pool, sauna, fitness room and hot tub. In addition, the hotel offers a full hot buffet breakfast every morning including cereal, fruit, waffles, breads, rolls, eggs, ham or sausage, and biscuits and gravy.

McNeely said that the Grand Plaza has a number of different sized meeting rooms from those big enough to accommodate a group of 175 to those for smaller groups or breakout rooms. In talking about the experience her groups have had at the Grand Plaza Annette Wood, Director of Group Sales, Branson Tourism Center said, “We love the location and the overall experience our groups receive.”