on location: midwest ❖
sue arko
BRANSON AT THE CENTURY MARK This Missouri group favorite celebrates its 100th year in 2012 The Branson Landing Fountains, on the Taneycomo lakefront in historic downtown Branson, feature sound, light, fire cannons and 120-foot geysers.
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nown as the “Live Music Show
Near the turn of the century, minister
Capital of the World,” Branson
Harold Bell Wright traveled to the
has been welcoming guests to the
Ozarks for health reasons. He
Ozarks for 100 years. With more
stayed at the homestead of John
than 50 live performance theaters,
and Anna Ross, who became the
three pristine lakes, 12 champi-
characters Old Matt and Aunt Mol-
onship golf courses, a theme park,
lie in his best-selling novel The
dozens of attractions and museums,
Shepherd of the Hills, published in
and a historic downtown district, plus shopping, dining and hotels for every
When Ozark Beach Dam (also called
This vintage scene from the 1940s, looking west onto Main Street and downtown Branson, shows the old bridge over Lake Taneycomo.
Powersite Dam) was built in 1913, Lake
100th birthday and in celebration, 100
ational activities. Branson was incorpo-
became popular with outdoor enthusi-
Days with 100 Ways to Celebrate will
rated as a town on April 1, 1912, but the
asts who came to fish, boat, swim, hunt
take place April through July to show
history goes back more than a half cen-
and enjoy the rugged beauty of the
groups a good time and ignite spirit and
tury before that. The first family attraction
Ozark Mountains. In 1959 the comple-
hope for the next century.
to draw visitors was Marvel Cave, de-
tion of Table Rock Dam created Table
scribed by geologists in the 1860s and
Rock Lake, also renowned for bass fish-
explored in the 1880s by adventurers
ing and water sports.
budget, it is a long-time favorite with tour groups. This year marks Branson’s
Photos Courtesy of Branson/Lakes Area CVB
1907.
Highlights of the Early Years Early settlers were lured by the beauty of the Ozarks and outdoor recre18 February 2012
who lowered themselves on ropes 200 feet into the main chamber.
Taneycomo was created, and the area
The area first gained national attention in the entertainment industry in 1954
when legendary country singer Red
service and the lighting of an eternal
Foley moved to Springfield, Mo. from
flame that will burn year-round to remind
Nashville, Tenn. to host Ozark Jubilee,
every museum visitor of those people
one of the first successful network tele-
who were onboard the ill-fated liner.
vision shows. Shortly thereafter in 1959,
As the whole world remembers, the
the Mabe brothers began performing
Titanic Museum Attraction allows visitors
popular country music and Ozark moun-
to experience what it was like to walk the
tain music along with a dash of comedy twice a week in downtown Branson. In 1969 they became known as the Baldknobbers and built a theater on Highway 76, making their act the longest continuAn 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.
ously running show in Branson today. The Shepherd of the Hills, an outdoor 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
hallways, parlors, cabins and Grand
chuckwagon dinner show on the Home-
Staircase of the Titanic while surrounded
stead grounds.
by more than 400 artifacts from the ship
In 1960 Silver Dollar City began op-
and its passengers. They can touch a
erations as a small, old-time Ozarks vil-
real iceberg, walk the Grand Staircase
lage atop Marvel Cave, offering an
and third class hallways, stick their
1880s steam train ride, demonstrating
hands into 28-degree water and try to
craftsmen, themed shops and music. By
stand on the sloping decks.
1963 Silver Dollar City was Missouri’s
Another anniversary taking place in
top tourist attraction and in 1967 re-
2012 is Andy Williams’ 75th year of en-
the world. It is a perfect fit for Branson,
ceived national exposure when the pop-
tertaining. The Moon River Theatre will
which already has such entertainers as
ular Beverly Hillbillies television show
feature guest stars Dick Van Dyke, Jack
the Acrobats of China, Twelve Irish
filmed five episodes at the park.
Jones, Pat and Debby Boone, and many
Tenors, Shoji Tabuchi, the Liverpool Leg-
more.
ends and Yakov Smirnoff. During the
100 Years Later In addition to Branson’s centennial,
festival, other Branson venues will highSpecial Events Rule in Branson
light their own cultural origins or a culture
2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the
See the World in Branson, the an-
sinking of the RMS Titanic. On the night
nual month-long Ozark Mountain spring
A highlight of See the World in Bran-
of April 14, a century ago, a lookout in
event, highlights the vast amount of in-
son is MusicFest at the Welk Resort on
the crow’s nest shouted, “Iceberg right
ternationally inspired entertainment, at-
April 25-26, 2012. A Marketplace Tent
ahead,” and the famous ship sank
tractions, and cuisine available to
features over 40 booths representing 30
early on April 15. The Titanic Museum
groups. Guests enjoy cultural experi-
countries. Guests receive passports and
Attraction in Branson will honor the
ences without having to travel abroad.
get them stamped inside the Market-
they find interesting.
2,208 passengers and crew members
Produced by the Branson Area Re-
place throughout the two-day event. See
with an ongoing series of special events,
ceptive Association, the event will take
the World Music Showcase includes
activities and ceremonies throughout the
place April 1-May 6, 2012, with theaters,
over 20 Branson entertainers performing
year. On April 14 and 15, a two-day trib-
hotels, restaurants and retail venues
in two music showcases. Guests meet
ute ceremony will include a candlelight
representing countries from all around
the entertainers, take up-close photo-
LeisureGroupTravel.com
February 2012 19
on location: midwest ❖
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: See the articles on Missouri Civil War attractions at http://leisuregrouptravel.com/p?=26290 and St. Louis historical sites at http://leisuregrouptravel.com/p?=26217.
•
graphs and get autographs.
Kenyan Sarakasi Acrobats, world-
See the World in Branson coincides
renowned acrobats from Nairobi, Kenya
with Silver Dollar City’s WorldFest,
• Russian Academic Band • Ireland’s premier harpist, Dearbhail
billed as “America’s Largest International
Finnegan
Festival,” which takes place April 12-May
Branson is also known for America’s
6. Entertainment will include:
• La Bella Musica in Red Gold Her-
largest Veterans Day celebration. Veter-
itage Hall showcases classically trained
ans Homecoming Week salutes veter-
operatic tenor Aaron Caruso, who
ans and active-duty Armed Forces from
recently performed at Carnegie Hall. The
Nov. 5-11 every year. This seven-day
show also features soprano Melanie Go-
tribute includes many special events that
erlitz and World Accordion Champion Cory Pesaturo
honor our military’s service, commitment Electro Spin is one of many rides at Silver Dollar City theme park in Branson, Mo.
and ultimate sacrifice. While this event
comes to life with Italian flag throwers,
members from Mexico, Cuba, Samoa,
duty personnel are appreciated in Bran-
living vines and statues, stilt walkers and
Argentina, Colombia, Honduras and
son every day of the year.
a colorful costume parade.
more.
• Viva Italia - Red Gold’s Courtyard
lasts only a week, veterans and active-
This same warm hospitality and VIP
• Mariachi Divas, a Grammy Award-
• Traditional Hawaiian Country Music
service awaits tour groups. Branson
winning, all-female music ensemble with
Show starring four-time Grammy winner
continues to roll out the red carpet and
George Kahumoku
offer new and exciting performances, at-
Obtain Missouri visitor guides and itineraries and contact group-friendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info
20 February 2012
•
Peruvian Yawar Chicchi Sissor
Dancers.
tractions and events. Plan now to join the celebrations in Branson in 2012. LGT
LeisureGroupTravel.com