branson
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Known as the “Live Music Show
Capital of the World,” Branson
has been welcoming guests to the
Ozarks for 100 years. With more
than 50 live performance theaters,
three pristine lakes, 12 champi-
onship golf courses, a theme park,
dozens of attractions and museums,
and a historic downtown district, plus
shopping, dining and hotels for every
budget, it is a long-time favorite with tour
groups. This year marks Branson’s
100th birthday and in celebration, 100
Days with 100 Ways to Celebrate will
take place April through July to show
groups a good time and ignite spirit and
hope for the next century.
Highlights of the Early Years
Early settlers were lured by the
beauty of the Ozarks and outdoor recre-
ational activities. Branson was incorpo-
rated as a town on April 1, 1912, but the
history goes back more than a half cen-
tury before that. The first family attraction
to draw visitors was Marvel Cave, de-
scribed by geologists in the 1860s and
explored in the 1880s by adventurers
who lowered themselves on ropes 200
feet into the main chamber.
Near the turn of the century, minister
Harold Bell Wright traveled to the
Ozarks for health reasons. He
stayed at the homestead of John
and Anna Ross, who became the
characters Old Matt and Aunt Mol-
lie in his best-selling novel The
Shepherd of the Hills, published in
1907.
When Ozark Beach Dam (also called
Powersite Dam) was built in 1913, Lake
Taneycomo was created, and the area
became popular with outdoor enthusi-
asts who came to fish, boat, swim, hunt
and enjoy the rugged beauty of the
Ozark Mountains. In 1959 the comple-
tion of Table Rock Dam created Table
Rock Lake, also renowned for bass fish-
ing and water sports.
The area first gained national atten-
tion in the entertainment industry in 1954
18 February 2012
on location: midwest � sue arko
BRANSONAT THE CENTURY MARK
The Branson Landing Fountains, on the Taneycomo lakefront in historic downtown Branson, feature sound, light, fire cannons and 120-foot geysers.
This Missouri group favorite celebrates its 100th year in 2012
This vintage scene from the 1940s, looking
west onto Main Street and downtown Branson,
shows the old bridge over Lake Taneycomo.
Phot
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when legendary country singer Red
Foley moved to Springfield, Mo. from
Nashville, Tenn. to host Ozark Jubilee,
one of the first successful network tele-
vision shows. Shortly thereafter in 1959,
the Mabe brothers began performing
popular country music and Ozark moun-
tain music along with a dash of comedy
twice a week in downtown Branson. In
1969 they became known as the Bald-
knobbers and built a theater on Highway
76, making their act the longest continu-
ously running show in Branson today.
The Shepherd of the Hills, an out-
door pageant based on the novel, began
in 1959 and has grown into one of the
nation’s most popular outdoor historical
dramas. It boasts a cast of more than 80
actors, dozens of animals, pyrotechnical
displays, and authentic props and sets.
The Sons of the Pioneers perform in a
chuckwagon dinner show on the Home-
stead grounds.
In 1960 Silver Dollar City began op-
erations as a small, old-time Ozarks vil-
lage atop Marvel Cave, offering an
1880s steam train ride, demonstrating
craftsmen, themed shops and music. By
1963 Silver Dollar City was Missouri’s
top tourist attraction and in 1967 re-
ceived national exposure when the pop-
ular Beverly Hillbillies television show
filmed five episodes at the park.
100 Years Later
In addition to Branson’s centennial,
2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the
sinking of the RMS Titanic. On the night
of April 14, a century ago, a lookout in
the crow’s nest shouted, “Iceberg right
ahead,” and the famous ship sank
early on April 15. The Titanic Museum
Attraction in Branson will honor the
2,208 passengers and crew members
with an ongoing series of special events,
activities and ceremonies throughout the
year. On April 14 and 15, a two-day trib-
ute ceremony will include a candlelight
service and the lighting of an eternal
flame that will burn year-round to remind
every museum visitor of those people
who were onboard the ill-fated liner.
As the whole world remembers, the
Titanic Museum Attraction allows visitors
to experience what it was like to walk the
hallways, parlors, cabins and Grand
Staircase of the Titanic while surrounded
by more than 400 artifacts from the ship
and its passengers. They can touch a
real iceberg, walk the Grand Staircase
and third class hallways, stick their
hands into 28-degree water and try to
stand on the sloping decks.
Another anniversary taking place in
2012 is Andy Williams’ 75th year of en-
tertaining. The Moon River Theatre will
feature guest stars Dick Van Dyke, Jack
Jones, Pat and Debby Boone, and many
more.
Special Events Rule in Branson
See the World in Branson, the an-
nual month-long Ozark Mountain spring
event, highlights the vast amount of in-
ternationally inspired entertainment, at-
tractions, and cuisine available to
groups. Guests enjoy cultural experi-
ences without having to travel abroad.
Produced by the Branson Area Re-
ceptive Association, the event will take
place April 1-May 6, 2012, with theaters,
hotels, restaurants and retail venues
representing countries from all around
the world. It is a perfect fit for Branson,
which already has such entertainers as
the Acrobats of China, Twelve Irish
Tenors, Shoji Tabuchi, the Liverpool Leg-
ends and Yakov Smirnoff. During the
festival, other Branson venues will high-
light their own cultural origins or a culture
they find interesting.
A highlight of See the World in Bran-
son is MusicFest at the Welk Resort on
April 25-26, 2012. A Marketplace Tent
features over 40 booths representing 30
countries. Guests receive passports and
get them stamped inside the Market-
place throughout the two-day event. See
the World Music Showcase includes
over 20 Branson entertainers performing
in two music showcases. Guests meet
the entertainers, take up-close photo-
LeisureGroupTravel.com February 2012 19
An international element flavors
Branson’s varied entertainment
scene, from Russian comedian
Yakov Smirnoff to the Acrobats
of China and the Liverpool Legends,
a rousing tribute to the Beatles
and their music.
graphs and get autographs.
See the World in Branson coincides
with Silver Dollar City’s WorldFest,
billed as “America’s Largest International
Festival,” which takes place April 12-May
6. Entertainment will include:
• La Bella Musica in Red Gold Her-
itage Hall showcases classically trained
operatic tenor Aaron Caruso, who
recently performed at Carnegie Hall. The
show also features soprano Melanie Go-
erlitz and World Accordion Champion
Cory Pesaturo
• Viva Italia - Red Gold’s Courtyard
comes to life with Italian flag throwers,
living vines and statues, stilt walkers and
a colorful costume parade.
• Mariachi Divas, a Grammy Award-
winning, all-female music ensemble with
members from Mexico, Cuba, Samoa,
Argentina, Colombia, Honduras and
more.
• Traditional Hawaiian Country Music
Show starring four-time Grammy winner
George Kahumoku
• Peruvian Yawar Chicchi Sissor
Dancers.
• Kenyan Sarakasi Acrobats, world-
renowned acrobats from Nairobi, Kenya
• Russian Academic Band
• Ireland’s premier harpist, Dearbhail
Finnegan
Branson is also known for America’s
largest Veterans Day celebration. Veter-
ans Homecoming Week salutes veter-
ans and active-duty Armed Forces from
Nov. 5-11 every year. This seven-day
tribute includes many special events that
honor our military’s service, commitment
and ultimate sacrifice. While this event
lasts only a week, veterans and active-
duty personnel are appreciated in Bran-
son every day of the year.
This same warm hospitality and VIP
service awaits tour groups. Branson
continues to roll out the red carpet and
offer new and exciting performances, at-
tractions and events. Plan now to join the
celebrations in Branson in 2012. LGT
on location: midwest �
20 February 2012 LeisureGroupTravel.com
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: See the articles on Missouri Civil War attractions at http://leisuregroup-travel.com/p?=26290 and St. Louis historical sites at http://leisuregrouptravel.com/p?=26217.
Electro Spin is one of many rides at Silver
Dollar City theme park in Branson, Mo.
Obtain Missouri visitor guides and itineraries and contact group-friendly suppliers directly
at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info
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