Unique Christmas Sweepstakes blesses winner and local Branson charity

Two “Winners,” Onyinye Elochukwu,” who won the $500 Grand Prize and the American Red Cross of Southern Missouri, who was designated by her to receive an additional $500 from the Branson Tourism Center.

When Mrs. Onyinye Elochukwu, of Sacramento, California, went to open her email on the morning of December 12, she certainly didn’t expect to find out that she had won Branson Tourism Center’s 2016 Ozark Mountain Christmas Sweepstakes. She said, “When I opened my email and found out that I had won I was so excited! I read it twice before I even grasped that I had won.”

Onyinye, a stay at home mom taking care of a two-and-a-half-year-old son, entered the contest through Facebook and really didn’t think she had a chance to win. Now that she’s won, she said, “I’m so grateful. It couldn’t have come at a better time; what a wonderful Christmas gift!”

“To us at the Branson Tourism Center, Christmas is all about giving, so in keeping with that spirit, we decided to have a special Christmas Sweepstake centered around the joy and spirit of Christmas giving,” said Tammy Johnson, the Vice President | General Manager of the Branson Tourism Center. “We offer our congratulations to Mrs. Elochukwu and share her excitement.”

Johnson also points out that another important element of the Sweepstake was that the Winner was empowered to brighten the Christmas of a local Branson charity by designating it, from those listed, to receive a gift of $500.00 from the Branson Tourism Center. Onyinye, who has never visited Branson, but hopes to do so someday, selected the American Red Cross of Southern Missouri because she is more familiar with the Red Cross saying,” I see what they do on TV, on-line, and in social media and I like what they do to help people in times of need.”

Stacy Burks, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Southern Missouri said, “We’re so grateful to Mrs. Elochukwu and the Branson Tourism Center for thinking of the American Red Cross during this season of giving. Our volunteers are ready to go when disaster strikes whether home fire, flood, or tornado and this donation will help provide relief and help to community members during their time of need.”

9th Annual Branson.Com Honors Purple Heart Recipients April 20 – 22

Purple Heart Recipients at weigh in for Trout Tournament astScotty's Tout Dock

Purple Heart Recipients at weigh-in for Trout Tournament at Scotty’s Trout Dock on Lake Taneycomo.

Purple Heart Recipients from all around the country will gather in Branson, Missouri for the 9^th Annual Branson.Com Honors Purple Heart Recipients, April 20 – 22, 2017. Annette Wood, the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center, the parent company of Branson.Com said, “This event is unique and special in that it is dedicated solely to honoring, remembering, serving, and entertaining those who have received the ‘Purple Heart’ for combat wounds received while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It has been our privilege and honor to have hosted and sponsored this event since its inception.” she added.

Wood points, out that with the active support and assistance of the “Military Order of the Purple Heart” (MOPH), the event started about nine years ago, and has steadily grown in attendance since. The three-day event is a variety of activities, all free to the Purple Heart Attendees, designed to share the excitement and entertainment that Branson offers, while providing plenty of opportunity for them to enjoy and interact with their fellow Veterans. Here’s the preliminary list of scheduled activities as of December 9, 2016.^*:

DAY 1
Thursday, April 20, 2017

10:00 Motorcycle Run:
16:30 Starlite Dinner for Food & Beverages
17:30 Opening Ceremony, Starlite Theatre
19:30 The Texas Tenors Show, Starlite Theatre

DAY 2
Friday, April 21, 2017

08:30 Fishing Tournament, Scotty’s Trout Dock
09:00 Event for Non Fishermen, Sightseeing cruise on the Main Street Lake Cruises
18:00 Dinner & Dancing, Radisson Hotel

DAY 3
Saturday, April 22, 2017

11:30 Purple Heart Closing Ceremony, Starlite Theatre
14:00 Raiding the Country Vault, Starlite Theatre

* This schedule will be revised. For the most current and complete schedule of activities please go to:
http://veterans.branson.com/events/info/branson-com-honors-purple-heart-recipients.

Although early registration is encouraged, Wood points out that there is no closing time for the registration of Purple Hear Recipients. “If you are a Purple Heart Recipient, this is your event and we want you there whenever you register,” she said. For further information on the 9th Annual Branson.Com Honors Purple Heart Recipients please call 1-800-268-4014 or go to the Branson.Com Honors Purple Heart Recipients website.

Branson Entertainers Unite to Create a “Showstopping” Mannequin Challenge

BTC Videographer, Chris Canote, “shooting” Shoji Tabuchi during Mannequin Challenge.

Over 40 entertainers from some of Branson’s most popular and iconic live shows gathered at the Yakov Theater to create a truly showstopping Mannequin Challenge video that embodies the immense talent that graces the Branson stage on a daily basis.

The Mannequin Challenge is a viral internet trend that attempts to mimic the dynamic sequences in movies like “The Matrix” with individuals frozen in place throughout the entire filming process.

“Branson’s filled with unparalleled performers,” says Tammy Johnson, Vice President and General Manager of Branson Tourism Center. “We have world-class dancers, aerial acrobats, comedians, beautiful costuming, the greatest musicians and attractions…what could possibly make a more engaging video?”

Entertainers from Branson shows, attractions, and theaters participating in the Mannequin Challenge included Shoji Tabuchi, The Baldknobbers, The Acrobats of China at the Yakov Theater, “it” starring The Hughes Brothers, Branson Zipline, The Duttons, Patsy Cline Remembered at the Americana Theatre, Down Home Country at Grand Country, Dublin’s Irish Tenors & Celtic Ladies at King’s Castle Theatre, Parakeet Pete’s Steampunk Balloon, Legends in Concert and The Bretts at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater, and The Petersen’s at the Little Opry Theatre.

Branson’s Showstopping Mannequin Challenge, created by Branson Tourism Center and the Branson Show League, can be found on:

FACEBOOK

YOUTUBE

Is this Branson’s most “Legendary” 2017 show schedule?

Prince, Michael Jackson, Elvis, and "Menopause the Musical" are just a few of the acts appearing at Branson's Legends of Concert in 2017.

Prince, Michael Jackson, Elvis, and “Menopause the Musical” are just a few of the legendary highlights happening at Branson’s Legends of Concert in 2017.

“WOW, where else in Branson can a person go to be entertained by the likes of ‘Adele’ and ‘The Temptations,’ in one exciting show?” asked Annette Wood, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center. The rhetorical question was, of course, referring to the Legends in Concert show, known for the quality, variety, and excitement of its productions, and was in reference to the “legendary” stars scheduled to perform in its recently announced 2017 schedule which includes:

SPRING: Feb. 3-May 16

Feb. 3-Mar. 31: Dusty Springfield
Feb. 3-May 11: The Temptations
Feb. 3-May 16: George Strait
Feb. 3-May 16: The Blues Brothers™
Feb. 3-May 16: Elvis
Feb. 16-Mar. 21: SPECIAL GUEST- Prince
Apr.1-May 16: Adele
May 12-May 16: Michael Jackson

MAY 18-21 Menopause The Musical

SUMMER: May 22-Sept 5

May 18-Sep. 5: Céline Dion
May 18-Sep. 5: Brooks and Dunn
May 22-Sep. 5: Michael Jackson
May 18-Sep. 5: The Blues Brothers™
May 18-Sep. 5: Elvis
June-July Only: SPECIAL GUEST- Bruno Mars

FALL: Sep.7-Oct 31

Sep.7-Oct 31: Frank Sinatra
Sep.7-Oct 31: Aretha Franklin
Sep.7-Oct 31: Johnny Cash
Sep.7-Oct 31: The Blues Brothers™
Sep.7-Oct 31: Elvis

CHRISTMAS: Nov.2-Dec. 31

Nov.2-Dec. 31: Michael Jackson
Nov.2-Dec. 30: Barbra Streisand
Nov.2-Dec. 31: Alan Jackson
Nov.2-Dec. 31: The Blues Brothers™
Nov.2-Dec. 31: Elvis
Dec. 31: Cher SPECIAL GUEST-NEW YEARS EVE

Legends in Concert’s General Manager, Jeannie Horton said, “Being a part of the Legends in Concert family, we have access to wonderful cast of “legends” from which to pick acts for our show. We are really excited about our 2017 schedule and the opportunity it gives us to be able to present Branson audiences with a variety of high quality legendary entertainment designed to entertain and appeal to the audiences we believe will be in Branson during a particular time of the year”

In addition, she said that they are really excited about the limited engagement performance of Menopause The Musical, May 18-21 as part of their national tour. “Set in a department store, four women with seemingly nothing in common, come to find they have more to share than ever imagined. The cast makes fun of their woeful hot flashes, forgetfulness, mood swings, wrinkles, night sweats and chocolate binges. A sisterhood is created between these diverse women as they realize that menopause is no longer The Silent Passage, but a stage in every woman’s life that is perfectly normal!”

The Branson premier gives Branson audiences, albeit for short time, a chance to “see what millions of women worldwide have been laughing about for 14 years” in this “groundbreaking, hilarious celebration of women who are on the brink of, in the middle of, or have survived “The Change!”

For additional information or tickets on the Legends in Concert, Menopause The Musical, or tickets for any of Branson’s shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please feel free to contact the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services by calling 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Final 2016 Curtain call for some popular Branson shows!

The last 2016 performance of the first show on the Branson Strip, Presleys' Country Jubilee, is Dec. 27.

The last 2016 performance of the first show on the Branson Strip, Presleys’ Country Jubilee, is Dec. 17.

“Although the clear majority of Branson attractions and shopping remains open year-round and many of our most popular shows will be open, albeit on a winter schedule, till the end of the year, a substantial number of shows will be concluding their 2016 season within the next three weeks,” said Preston Garrison, Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. Here is a list of the last date in 2016 that some of Branson’s most popular shows will be performing, sorted chronologically by date, starting on Dec.1 and ending on Dec. 31. It is followed by a list of some of Branson’s shows most popular New Year’s Eve celebrations:

Dec. 7: Duttons
Dec. 8: New South Gospel
Dec. 9: Andy Williams Christmas Extravaganza
Dec. 9: Down Home Country
Dec. 9: Shoji Tabuchi
Dec. 10: George Dyer
Dec. 10:The Lettermen
Dec. 11: Sunday Gospel Jubilee
Dec. 11: Ozark Mountain Jubilee
Dec. 16: Branson Country USA
Dec. 17: Christmas Wonderland
Dec. 17: Presleys’ Country Jubilee
Dec. 17: SIX
Dec. 18: New Jersey Nights
Dec. 18: Puttin’ on the Ritz
Dec. 23: Dublin’s Irish Tenors and The Celtic Ladies
Dec. 29: The Haygoods^*Dec. 30: Clay Cooper’s Country Express^*Dec. 30: Hughes Brothers Christmas Show^*Dec. 31: Acrobats of China
Dec. 31: Amazing Pets
Dec. 31: Comedy Jamboree
Dec. 31: Grand Jubilee^*Dec. 31: Hamners’ Unbelievable Variety Show^*
Dec. 31: Legends in Concert^*Dec. 31: Million Dollar Quartet
Dec. 31: Moses
Dec. 31: Pierce Arrow^*

BRANSON’S MOST POPULAR NEW YEARS EVE PARTIES

Clay-Goods Jambor-Eve (Clay Cooper and Haygoods joint celebration)
Grand Jubilee
Hughes Brothers New Years Eve
Legends in Concert
Main Street Lake Cruises Landing Princess
Million Dollar Quartet
Hamners’ Unbelievable Variety Show^*
Pierce Arrow

^*Has New Year’s Eve celebration. Clay Cooper &Haygoods are celebrating jointly

Branson Tourism Center’s Garrison points out that weather, abbreviated Christmas show schedules, and availability are excellent reasons to, not only check the schedule for the show(s) you are interested in, but to make advanced reservations. He suggests calling 1-800-785-1550 and talking with one of BTC’s Branson based Travel Planners where, “one call takes care of it all.” They will be delighted to answer any questions you might have about Branson, its shows, hotels, or attractions and assist you with reservations to help ensure that you obtain the best available seating at shows and the lodging accommodations you desire. There is no charge for this service and they are available daily, except Christmas Day, from 8:00 AM to 9:30 PM. BTC may also be contacted through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com

From its improbable start Million Dollar Quartet celebrates 60th Anniversary

How about celebrating New Year's Eve with the Miilion Dollar Quartet?

The Million Dollar Quartet, a special entertainment experience, based on the most unique Rock n’ Roll jam session of all time!

“For the past two years, Branson audiences have had the thrill of experiencing the hit musical Million Dollar Quartet, joining the ranks of the millions throughout the world who have enjoyed it since its creation in 2007, by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott,” said Annette Wood, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center. “Prior to hearing about the Million Dollar Quartet show, most are not even aware of the event that the show was based on and, even after seeing it, many do not realize how improbable it was that we would be celebrating the 60^th anniversary of that event,” she added.

Wood points out that it’s obvious we are not celebrating the 60^th anniversary of the Million Dollar Quartet show. What’s being celebrated is the 60^th anniversary of the greatest Rock n’ Roll jam session of all time; a onetime impromptu event, involving four young performers, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis, in the early stages of their careers. It happened in Memphis, TN inside the storefront recording studio of Sun Records on December 4, 1956.

Carl Perkins, Sun recording artist, was in the studio along with his brother Jay on bass, and drummer, WS “Fluke” Holland, and Sun recording artist Jerry Lee Lewis, who was there to play piano for the Perkins’ recording session of “Matchbox.” Sun recording artist, Johnny Cash, came in to observe the recording session and talk with Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Records. Still later, Elvis Presley, RCA and ex-Sun Recording artist, dropped by with a girl he was seeing at the time, Marilyn Evans.

As musicians have done since time in memoriam, they just started “jamming.” When Phillips saw the improbable session taking place he called Bob Johnson, the entertainment editor of the “Memphis Press-Scimitar,” and invited him over. He came and brought a photographer with him. The next day Phillips wrote a story on the jam session calling them the “Million Dollar Quartet” which was accompanied by a photograph of the four around the piano.

The impromptu jam session would not have been recorded, but for the efforts of sound technician Jack Clement, who was there to record the Perkins session. As the informal jam session got underway, Clement decided that he would be remiss if he did not record it so, without anyone’s knowledge, he did.

Probably because no one knew that Clement had recorded the session, and despite “The Million Dollar Quartet” news story, the recording went unnoticed, into the Sun Records “library,” where it remained for decades until discovered by a new owner of Sun Records as they worked through the contents of the library. It was recorded and released in Europe in 1981, in the United States in 1990, and became the basis for the hit musical Million Dollar Quartet in 2007.

In celebration of the 60th anniversary of this historic event, on December 4th, 2016, some of Branson’s biggest stars will join the cast of the Million Dollar Quartet in paying a musical tribute to the four legends and “to express their gratitude for the inspirational music they have given. “One of the highlights of the Million Dollar Quartet show is the finale that re-creates just how special that jam session was,” said Dathan Atchison, General Manager of the Welk Resort Branson.

“We are so honored to have these incredible guests join us in celebrating that historic night, and the four men who have inspired generations of performers,” Atchison continued. “The influence of the four members of the “Million Dollar Quartet” is certainly felt in Branson, and we are so thankful that Jim Stafford, Billy Dean, New South and David Brooks have been gracious enough to not only come and sing, but to share stories of how that influence changed their lives. It is going to be a rockin’ good time and a fitting tribute to four of the greatest entertainers in history,” he added.

Running through December 31, 2016, the Million Dollar Quartet tells the story and captures the high energy spirit and rockin’ sounds of a unique moment when four of music’s most extraordinary talents, all in their creative prime, came together for one of the most memorable nights in music history” and features the greatest rock ‘n’ roll, gospel, R&B and country hits from these music legends, including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Walk The Line,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Hound Dog,” “Whole Lotta’ Shakin’ Goin’ On,” and so many more.

For more information and tickets for the Million Dollar Quartet or other great Branson shows or lodging, please contact the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services and sellers of almost 5 million Branson show and attraction tickets by calling 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Six awesome reasons why you don’t want to miss Branson’s Christmas Week!

Silver Dollar City’s Old Time Christmas, New Year’s Eve with Legends in Concert, the Amazing Pets Show ,and Tanger Outlets are just a few of the almost infinite choices awaiting Branson visitors during Branson’s Christmas Week.

“Branson’s Christmas Week, the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, offers Branson visitors the same world class shopping and entertainment experience that makes Branson one of the premier vacation destinations in America,” said Preston Garrison, Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “From tigers and butterflies, to acrobats, drive through Christmas lighting displays, museums, world class shopping, New Year’s Eve celebrations second to none, and so much more; if you’re looking for fun, entertainment, excitement and adventure as part of your Christmas vacation then Branson’s Christmas Week in Branson is the place for you!” he added.

Here’s a list of six reasons why:

1.Silver Dollar City’s Old Time Christmas Festival: Silver Dollar City’s Old Time Christmas Festival is one of the Nation’s top Christmas events. Its spectacular display of five million Christmas lights throughout the park, entertainment, parade, Broadway style shows, and much more has been recognized and featured nationally by USA Today, CNN Travel, The Travel Channel, Good Morning America and many others.

Although the award winning 1880s styled theme park, lit with over 5 million sparkling Christmas lights, is filled with shows; crafts; unique shopping; food; weather permitting, dozens of exciting rides and demonstrating craftsmen; and other activities, something special begins to happen each evening at dusk, in the Square on Main Street. First, the 5-Story Special Effects Christmas Tree comes to life, with its 350,000 colorful sparkling LED lights, choreographed to Christmas music, and making over 100 light changes per second. In its glow, “the most famous reindeer of all” leads Rudolph’s Holly Jolly™ Christmas Light Parade with its nine musical floats, illuminated with 200,000 ultra-bright LED lights; 33 colorful costumed characters, including Bumble the Abominable Snowman, 14-foot moose characters, 12-foot tall elves and 10-foot candy canes, plus penguins, elves and a troupe of marching wooden soldiers.”

2. Branson Shows: Although many of Branson’s shows are closed for the season, some of its most popular shows will be open during Branson’s Christmas Week presenting the live entertainment for which Branson is noted. This includes, in alphabetical order, The Acrobats of China, Amazing Pets, Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express, Comedy Jamboree, Dixie Stampede, Grand Jubilee, Hamner’s Unbelievable Variety, The Haygoods, Hughes Brothers Christmas Show, Legends in Concert, Million Dollar Quartet, Moses, Pierce Arrow and the Showboat Branson Belle along with many more.

3. Branson Attractions: In addition to Silver Dollar City, the majority of Branson’s other attractions will be open offering visitors a range of exciting adventures and activities. How about an up close encounter with the tigers and other big cats at the National Tiger Sanctuary; a ziplining adventure on Branson Zip Lines, or an entertaining interactive experience aboard Branson’s Titanic Museum attraction. In addition to everything else the Titanic offers its passengers on a daily basis, it’s celebrating its spectacular Christmas and Winter Celebration, as magically, inside and out, the ship “hails the sights, sounds, and joy of the season” and is aglow with glittering lights, festive decorations, and the spirit of the Holidays.

And that’s just the beginning! With museums as varied at the Branson Dinosaur Museum and the World Largest Toy Museum, the unique “White Flight” exhibit at the Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure; the Promised Land Zoo, hiking on one of our beautiful Ozark trails, golf, fishing, and so much more, it’s hard to imagine a travel destination, anywhere near Branson’s size that could offer more.

4. Spectacular Christmas Lighting Displays: Although Christmas Day is past, all the major drive through Christmas lighting displays will remain open through December 31. This includes the Shepherd of the Hills Trail of Lights, Ozark Mountain Christmas Lights & Village, Branson’s Gift of Lights and the giant 30 foot nativity scene on top of Mount Branson overlooking Lake Taneycomo and historic downtown Branson.

5. Branson Shopping: Shopping is an important part of the Branson experience and Branson’s Christmas Week is no exception. From the quaint specialty shops offering arts and crafts and one of a kind items; to the shops of Historic Downtown Branson, featuring “Dicks 5 & 10,” the unique “Branson Landing,” with its 100 retail stores, and outlet malls such as “Tanger Outlets” and “The Meadows,” Branson’s Christmas Week shopping will satisfy the most avid shopper.

6. New Year’s Eve: From the midnight fireworks at the Chateau on the Lake to a New Year’s Eve party while cruising Lake Taneycomo aboard Main Street Lake Cruises Landing Princess, a 100 foot luxury yacht, or one of the unique celebrations by one of Branson’s shows, both 2016 and Branson’s Christmas Week fade away and 2017 emerges as only Branson can do it. It’s hard to imagine a more unique, entertaining or exciting New Year’s Eve than one spent with some of Branson’s most popular shows as they welcome in 2017 with their unique New Year’s Eve celebrations including:

Clay-Goods Jambor-Eve (Clay Cooper and Haygoods joint celebration)
Grand Jubilee
Hamners’ Unbelievable Variety Show
Hughes Brothers New Year’s Eve Show
Legends in Concert
Million Dollar Quartet
Pierce Arrow

Branson Tourism Center’s Garrison advises advanced planning and reservations for any trip to Branson during the Christmas Season because of the off season scheduling of shows, limited seating, and the fact that some Branson lodging facilities are closed. He suggests that an easy way to avoid problems, save time and, in many cases, money, is by simply calling the Branson Tourism Center, toll free at 1-800-785-1550 and talking with one of their Branson based Travel Planners who will be delighted to answer any questions and assist in making any show or lodging reservations. There is absolutely no charge for this service.

The Best of Branson Insider Highlights for December 2016

The Titanic Museum’s “Christmas and Winter Celebration” is just one of the many inspirational and entertaining events in Branson during December.

“From the stages of its famous live shows, to the magnificently lit Silver Dollar City, and its Adoration Parade, December in Branson is filled with the special spirit of celebrating the traditional American Christmas,” said Preston Garrison, Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “Then, during the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, Branson is abuzz with fun and excitement leading up to a celebration of New Year’s Eve as only Branson can do it,” he added.

Here’s our Featured Show, Event, and Limited Engagement of the Month, along with a list of the major, special limited engagement performances and events you can enjoy in Branson during December, 2016:

Featured Show: The Grand Jubilee Christmas show has it all, including amazing vocals by Branson’s award winning quartet, New South and Female Vocalist of the Year Jackie Brown; hilarious comedy with Jamie Haage, a.k.a. “Jim Dandy,” and his sidekick Mike Patrick, who is also the show’s emcee and producer; and the “Grand Band,” one of the best bands in Branson. From the preshow to the final curtain, this awesome production will entertain and inspire you with “grand” music, comedy, and the spirit of a traditional American Christmas.

“I love the show for the fact that Christmas is built on tradition and that we sing the traditional favorite Christmas songs that people sing every year,” said Mike Patrick, the shows emcee and producer. “To me our show is like taking out your favorite Christmas ornament each year and hanging it on the tree.” When asked what his personal favorite part of the show was he said, without hesitation, “When we get to read the Christmas story from the Bible and see how it resonates with our audience.” His two favorite numbers in the show are New South’s rendition of a Gatlin Brothers’ song “Santa Are You Going To Atlanta” and Jackie Brown’s beautiful performance of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”

Featured Limited Engagement of the Month: No doubt about it, there’s not a more “Limited Engagement” than the spectacular unique ways available in Branson to ring in the New Year. How about cruising Lake Taneycomo aboard Main Street Lake Cruises Landing Princess, a 100 foot luxury yacht, while enjoying a live DJ, dancing, games, prizes, party favors, full-service cash bar, hors d’oeuvres, a dessert bar, and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight? Cruising not your thing, how about an entertaining and exciting evening with some of Branson’s most popular shows as they welcome in 2017 with unique awesome New Year’s Eve celebrations including:

Clay-Goods Jambor-Eve (Clay Cooper and Haygoods joint celebration)
Grand Jubilee
Legends in Concert
Million Dollar Quartet
Hamners’ Unbelievable Variety Show
Pierce Arrow

Featured Event of the Month: The Branson Titanic Museum Attraction closes out its tenth year in Branson with its beautiful Christmas and Winter Celebration as magically, inside and out, she hails the sights, sounds and joy of the season. In addition to everything else the ship offers daily, it will be aglow with glittering lights, festive decorations, and the spirit of the Holidays, including free public access to hundreds of unique Titanic Christmas gift ideas and collectibles.

LIMITED ENGAGEMENT PERFORMANCES (Sorted by starting date)

Dec. 1: The Urban Cowboy Reunion
Dec 1-3: Boot Daddy Presents Gene Watson
Dec 31: NEW YEAR’S EVE BRANSON Style

SPECIAL EVENT HIGHLIGHTS (Sorted by starting date.)

Dec 1-30: An Old Time Christmas Festival at Silver Dollar City
Dec 4: Carols on the Belle aboard the Showboat Branson Belle
Dec 4: 68th Annual Adoration Parade and Lighting Ceremony
Dec 10: Breakfast with Santa – Branson RecPlex
Dec 11: Carols on the Belle aboard the Showboat Branson Belle
Dec 11: Tanger Club Member Exclusive Event at Tanger Mall
Dec 18: Carols on the Belle aboard the Showboat Branson Belle
Dec 18: Chateau on the Lake Breakfast with Santa
Dec 25: MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Dec 25: Christmas Day Champagne Brunch at Chateau on the Lake
Dec 31: New Years Eve Celebration at Keeter Center
Dec 31: Grand Jubilee New Years Eve Show
Dec 31: Clay-Goods Jambor-Eve New Year’s Eve Show
Dec 31: Million Dollar Quartet New Year’s Eve
Dec 31: Hamners Unbelievable Variety New Years Eve Fiesta
Dec 31: Legends in Concert New Year’s Eve Show
Dec 31: New Year’s Eve Cruise Aboard the Landing Princess
Dec 31-Jan 1, 2017: HAPPY NEW YEAR!

For additional information on these events, or any of Branson’s shows and attractions, or for lodging arrangements, please contact the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services by calling 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com

One of a kind legendary million dollar Branson New Year’s Eve celebration

Is this a New Year’s Eve celebration of legendary proportions or what?

“Things will really be jumping on New Year’s Eve in Branson,” said Preston Garrison, Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “With a wonderful variety of ways to bring in the New Year including a party aboard Main Street Marina’s 100-foot luxury yacht Landing Princess, major fireworks displays, celebrations at hotels and other venues, and of course the famed Branson Show’s New Year’s Eve Celebrations, it’s hard to imagine a better way to welcome in the New Year than by celebrating its arrival in Branson,” he added.

He points out that it’s the titles of two of those shows, Legends in Concert and the Million Dollar Quartet, that provides Branson New Year’s Eve revelers with the opportunity to participate in a “legendary million dollar New Year’s Eve Celebration.” While having to pick one of the two, because they are both presented at the same time, each is a unique, extremely entertaining, and exciting way to celebrate the end of 2016 and the ringing in of 2017.

Where else would one expect the “legendary” celebration to come from, but Legends in Concert “We are so excited about our New Year’s Eve Celebration,” said Jeannie Horton, the General Manager for Branson’s Legends in Concert. “What could be a better way of ringing out the old year and ringing in the New Year than an exciting entertaining New Year’s Eve party at the iconic Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theatre in Branson with the legendary ‘Frank Sinatra,’ ‘Adele,’ ‘George Strait,’ ‘The Blues Brothers, ‘Elvis Presley,’ and special guest ‘Cher,’” she added.

The festivities start as the doors to the auditorium open at 8:30 PM and revelers receive a celebration package with party favors, hats, noise makers, beads, and more, along with a deluxe box lunch consisting of a delicious croissant sandwich, potato salad, dessert and beverage. As they enter the auditorium they may pose, decked out in their full New Year’s Eve regalia, with the stars of the show. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase and may be taken into the auditorium to enjoy.

At 9:30 PM the party continues with a performance of the of the amazing Legends in Concert show including performances by Legends in Concert’s Frank Sinatra, Adele, George Strait, The Blues Brothers, Elvis Presley, special guest Cher, and the Legends in Concert Dancers and Band. As millions have discovered, the result is a one of a kind awesome musical production that is, in and of itself, a truly legendary entertainment experience!

The mid-night countdown, welcoming in the New Year is a spectacular event done as only Legends in Concert can do it. The show’s cast will come out on stage and countdown to the New Year with the audience amid an awesome celebration of streamers, confetti, celebratory noise makers, and join in the singing of the traditional “Auld Lang Syne.” Horton promises that it will be a wonderful memorable evening from beginning to end, and is absolutely a great way to start 2017.

How about celebrating New Year’s Eve with the Miilion Dollar Quartet?

Although the actual 60^th anniversary of the actual jam session that started it all will be celebrated on December 4^th, Susan Smith, the Director of Sales & Marketing for Welk Resorts, said that the Million Dollar Quartet’s New Year’s Eve Celebration will be an entertaining, exciting, and memorable end to the 60^th year of that famous jam session. She said that the evening starts off at 8:30 PM with heavy hors d’oeuvres including sliders and variety of hot dishes. Alcoholic beverages will be available for sale from the lounge and are permitted in the theatre for both the show and the midnight celebration.

At 9:45 PM the popular Million Dollar Quartet show will be presented. The show is based on the most famous impromptu jam session of all time that took place in the Memphis studios of Sun Records on December, 4, 1956. It included Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and, but for a recording that remained forgotten in the library of Sun Records for decades, would have been forgotten. The recordings were discovered by a new owner of Sun Records and released in 1981. The stage musical Million Dollar Quartet, written by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott, based on that music and what transpired at the original “Million Dollar Quartet” jam session, premiered in 2007. Since then, this smash hit musical, has played in Chicago, Broadway, Las Vegas, toured extensively in the US and internationally, and has a production in Branson, Missouri, at the Welk Resort Theatre.

Smith said that after the show the audience will come out to the lobby where they will get their sparkling grape juice for the midnight toast, some neat party favors, including glow sticks, noise makers, hats, and everything else needed to celebrate the New Year. There will also be a photo station where they “can dress up and take photos.”

“Then we’ll go back in the theatre for the New Year’s countdown on our giant screen with a huge balloon drop at midnight,” she said. “But it’s not over yet; because at 12:01 AM, on January 1, 2017, the Million Dollar Quartet will come back out on stage to start the New Year off in spectacular fashion with an energetic and exciting 20 minute after party jam session,” she added.

For more information or tickets to either Legends in Concert or the Million Dollar Quartet New Year’s Eve celebration, please contact the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services and sellers of almost 5 million Branson show and attraction tickets by calling 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Five special ways for kids to visit with Santa Claus in Branson

Santa waiting to talk with children in Branson about what they want for Christmas.

When he’s not supervising his elves at the North Pole, Santa loves to spend time in Branson where he can not only rest and be entertained, prior to his long night’s journey and work on Christmas Eve, but do what he loves to do most. That’s meeting all the children who live in Branson and those visiting, during Ozark Mountain Christmas, to find out what they want him to bring them for Christmas. Here’s a list of five places and the times^* where kids can meet Santa Claus in Branson:

1. Branson Tourism Center: Give the kids a break, and help get them into the Christmas spirit, on Black Friday, November 25, 2016, with a visit to see Santa Claus at the Branson Tourism Center, one of his favorite places outside of the North Pole. After they visit with Santa, and have the chance to tell him what they would like him to bring them for Christmas, they will receive a complimentary souvenir photo of their visit. It’s all free and there are no photos to buy. It’s just the Branson Tourism Center’s way of saying, “Merry Christmas!”

2. Silver Dollar City’s Old Time Christmas: Santa will be in his workshop on Santa Claus Lane through Dec. 23, where he’ll be waiting for children to come and tell him what they are hoping he will bring them for Christmas this year. Santa and his elves will be there from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM on Thursday, Friday and Sunday; except for Thanksgiving Day where he will be there from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM; and Saturdays and November 25 when he will be in his shop from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM.

3. Branson Landing Town Square: Santa will be found in his “Christmas Tree House,” underneath the 50 foot Christmas Tree at the Town Square, from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM Sunday through Thursday, except for Thanksgiving Day and from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday and Saturday, except for Nov. 23 and Dec. 24 when the hours will be 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Santa takes a break from 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM each day to feed his reindeer.

4. Kringles Christmas Store: Until Dec. 23 Santa is scheduled to visit Kringles in the Grand Village Shops Wednesday through Sunday from at least 11:00 AM through 4:00 PM and later some days. Please call (417) 337-5426 if there are any questions.

5. Bass Pro Shops at Branson Landing: Santa will be at “Santa’s Wonderland,” filled with free games, crafts and activities, at Bass Pro Shops until December 24. He will be available weekdays from 5:00 PM to 8 PM through December 3 and from 10:AM to 8:00 PM December 4 through December 22. On weekends, he will be available from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM, on Saturday, and from Noon to 5:00 PM on Sundays. Thanksgiving Week he will be available from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM November 23; 10:00 AM to 5 PM Thanksgiving Day, 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on November 26 and 27; and from Noon to 5:00 PM on November 27. As he prepares to return to the North Pole Santa will be available from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on December 23, and from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on December 24. Each child will be given a free 4×6 studio quality portrait.

They are all free, except for Silver Dollar City where a visit with Santa is included in the price of admission as part of its “Old Time Christmas Festival.” Ho, Ho, Ho, and a Merry Christmas to all!

^*Schedules subject to change

Clay-Goods Jambor-Eve (Clay Cooper and Haygoods joint celebration) Grand Jubilee Hughes Brothers New Years Eve Legends in Concert Main Street Lake Cruises Landing Princess Million Dollar Quartet Hamners’ Unbelievable Variety Show* Pierce Arrow

Clay-Goods Jambor-Eve (Clay Cooper and Haygoods joint celebration)
Grand Jubilee
Hughes Brothers New Years Eve
Legends in Concert
Main Street Lake Cruises Landing Princess
Million Dollar Quartet
Hamners’ Unbelievable Variety Show^*
Pierce Arrow