From a Titanic “times square” like count down into 2007 to a cruise on an actual working Showboat, comedy, dancing, dining, and shows and music of every type Branson will be bringing in the New Year as only it can.. In addition to all the activity and entertainment, most of Branson’s fine dining establishment are having special New Years Eve celebrations and should be called individually for information and to make reservations. Click here for a list of major events.
Welk-Sullivan Productions announced today the cancellation of the March 31 and April 1, 2007 James Brown concerts at the Welk Resort Theatre due to the sudden passing of Mr. Brown on December 25. The concerts were announced just last week as part of the 2007 installment of the “Living Legends” concerts at the Welk Resort Theatre in Branson. Full refunds or exchanges will be provided for ticket holders.
“Welk-Sullivan Productions is bringing Living Legends from pop, rock and country music to perform in Branson while they are still touring,” said Joe Sullivan, executive producer of Welk-Sullivan Productions. “In 2006, we presented Living Legends B.B. King and Ray Price. The concerts announced last week with Chuck Berry on February 16th & 17th and James Brown on March 31st and April 1st would have brought these two “Living Legends” to the Ozarks for their first-ever appearances in Branson,” he said. \
“We mourn the loss of James Brown and extend heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fans,” said Sullivan. “Our Living Legends concerts will continue with Chuck Berry and special guests Otis Day & The Knights in February. The entertainer for the March 31, April 1 concerts will be announced,” he said.
“Grandfather Bear Heart,” Marcellus Williams, 88, a multi-tribal spiritual leader of the Muskogee Nation-Creek Tribe, will do a traditional New Year blessing for all peoples at the Roy Rogers Museum, in Branson, Missouri at 1 p.m., Saturday Dec.30. Anyone needing any extra blessing from Grandfather Bear Heart may just show up and ask him for a special blessing for any reason.
Grandfather Bear Heart, is the author of THE WIND IS MY MOTHER, is one of the last “traditionally trained medicine persons,” speaks in 13 native languages, is an American Baptist Minister, holds an honorary PhD in humanities, and is a medicine man and respected elder of his tribe. He served for seven years as a member of the advisory board for the Institute of Public Health- Native American and Alaskan Natives at Johns Hopkin’s School of Medicine.
Bear Heart is a roadman of the Native American Church. He shares a lifetime of training that includes ceremonies conducted in the sweat lodge and the Native American Church, chanting, and smoking the sacred pipe to teach us how to walk the Spirit Road.
For further information contact the Roy Rogers Museum at 417-339-1900.
An article in the Branson Courier on Dec. 21, entitled “Titanic will light the way and rocket Branson into 2007!” states that the World’s Largest Titanic Museum Attraction will launch a new family tradition as it hosts its first live New Year’s Eve Countdown with a twist on New York City’s famed ball drop in Times Square. The free outdoor event will feature a spectacular display of lights circling their way to the top of Titanic’s 100-foot mast as the clock counts down. At precisely midnight, a series of rocket blasts will signal the start of the New Year. Click here for complete article.
Precious Moments Park is giving a gift to the community this year with a free week after Christmas. The free week will run Tues., Dec. 26 through Sun., Dec. 31. All Attractions will be free of charge.
A regular Attraction Pass cost is $12 for adults and covers admission to see two entirely different Fountain of Angels performances and the Wedding Island tour. All guests who visit during the free week will be able to enjoy these free of charge.
“This has become a tradition at Precious Moments,” said Shelby Bates, Media Coordinator for the Park. “It’s a gift to our guests at Christmas.”
This is the perfect time to bring your family and friends out to enjoy the Park and celebrate the season. The park is located at 4105 Chapel Rd., Carthage, MO 64836. For more information call (800) 543-7975. (Editors Note: We know this is technically not in “Branson” but it is something that some locals and visitors have an interest in.)
Silver Dollar City, with is four million lights, holiday foods, shows, and 100 Christmas trees, will be open Tuesday thru Saturday, December 26 thru December 30, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., except Saturday, when it will be open Noon to 10 p.m. The popular production “A Dickens Christmas Carol,” craft demonstration, and, weather permitting, the rides will be available along with special merchandise sales throughout the park.
The Showboat Branson Belle will sailing for a dinner cruise from Tuesday through Sunday, December 26 thru December 31 with a 4 p.m. dinner cruise and an additional special New Years Even dinner cruise at 8 p.m. on New Years Eve, December 31. The Show Stoppers show features a Christmas flavor with Christmas songs and music including “White Christmas” and other traditional favorites.
A trip to Branson, in Southwest Missouri, during January, February and March provides the perfect cure for the winter blues. This season, known as “Hot Winter Fun“, offers spectacular shows, amazing attractions, fabulous food, super shopping, luxurious lodging, and superb special events. Throughout the winter months, visitors can heat up to sizzling performances from some of Branson’s outstanding shows and get down with the great rates available around the city. Visitors can always enjoy the quality entertainment they expect from America’s hometown - Branson, Missouri.
The Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce has put together a video that it’s sharing on the web via YouTube. They had over 8 1/2 hours of video that they edited down into right around 3 1/2 minutes. The catchy little song used in the video was written by Jim Stafford.
As I’ve watched it I started out trying to see which shows and attractions are featured in the video, but truth be told, it would probably be a much shorter list if I just looked for those that weren’t included. It’s a neat little video that they put a lot of effort into, so check it out.
Grand Country Square announced today the addition of Amazing Pets, which will debut on December 18th, 2006 at 10 am. This ALL-NEW show features Ringleader, Sean Paul, and his trusty side-kick and trained monkey, Frankie, as well as a troupe of skilled dogs, trained housecats and exotic birds. Amazing Pets will perform December 18th through December 31st at 10 am with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day performances at 2 pm and 7 pm.
On Thursday, Dec. 7, the Branson Veterans Task Force will commemorate National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day with a ceremony at 11 a.m. on the Lake Taneycomo lakefront, downtown Branson.
A wreath will be placed on the water in memory of the Americans killed on Dec. 7, 1941, and in honor of those who have served the nation. The ceremony will also include the toll of the bell, according to Tom Goldsworthy, vice chairman of the Branson Veterans Task Force and event organizer. The eight bells signify the time, 8 a.m., when Japanese planes attacked the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Territory killing more than 2,400 Americans and wounding another 1,100. The following day President Franklin Roosevelt addressing a joint session of Congress called Dec. 7 ‘a date which will live in infamy.’ Declaring war against Japan, Congress ushered the United States of America into World War II.
Goldsworthy said members of the Pearl Harbor Association in Springfield have been invited as special guests. The Korean War Veterans Association will provide the color guard and bugle.
“We encourage the public to attend this ceremony to show gratitude for the greatest generation’s service and sacrifice to defeat tyranny,” Goldsworthy said.
To get to the lakefront near Scotty’s Trout Dock where the ceremony will be held take Business 65 South in downtown Branson to East Long St. and follow the signs under one bridge and just before the railroad bridge to the dock.
By Presidential decree, the flag of the United States of America should be flown at half-staff on Dec. 7 in honor of those who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor. (Source: Press Release)