Branson eConnection Newsletter

'Totally Free' Downtown Branson Fiddle Festival Aug. 28-30

August 2009

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'Totally Free' Downtown Branson Fiddle Festival Aug. 28-30

The 21st Annual Downtown Branson Fiddle Festival & Mid-American Fiddlers Championship is coming to the banks of Lake Taneycomo this month.

Fiddlin’, according to event producer Bill Lennon, is an integral part of the fabric of the Ozarks. “The Ozarks and Fiddlin’ should be like New Orleans and Jazz,” Lennon said, and this event has brought together the best in Ozarks fiddlers for the last two decades.

The weekend kicks off Friday night, August 28, with a concert by Springfield third generation family bluegrass legends Big Smith in front of the fountains at Branson Landing. Free and open to the public, Big Smith’s concert is only the beginning of a weekend packed with the best fiddle performances anywhere

On Saturday, August 29, the competition will begin with preliminary heats, running from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Then following a gospel service at 10 a.m. on Sunday, August 30, the finals will get underway at noon and run until 5 p.m.

More than $5000 in cash prizes will be awarded to winners, who will compete in six divisions: Pee Wee (ages 9 and younger,) Junior (10-16,) Senior (60 and older,) Cross Tuning, Seconding (guitar/bass accompaniment) and Open. All division winners, with the exception of Cross Tuning and Seconding, will also compete Sunday afternoon for the Grand Prize title.

In addition to the competition, there will be seminars held in the Ozarks Music and Culture tent up the hill from The Landing in Branson’s Historic Downtown area. Street performances and sidewalk sales will also be part of the happenings in Historic Downtown, and throughout the weekend, Branson musicians and entertainers will be making special guest appearances.

The best part of the event is that it’s totally free — free to watch and free to enter, sponsored by The Downtown Branson Main Street Association, The Historic Downtown Branson Business Owners, The Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, The Branson Landing and the City of Branson.

As Branson’s reputation has grown, the fiddle festival’s reputation has grown along with it, and Lennon thinks the sky’s the limit. “There’s no reason why this event can’t be an event of national importance,” he said.

To enter the Downtown Branson Fiddle Festival or for more information, call 417-334-1548 or visit www.ExploreBranson.com/fiddle.

Comfort Inn & Suites in Branson Captures Inn of the Year Award

Left to right: Bruce Haase-EVP of Global Brand Operations, Todd Winkler-Choice Hotel Owner Council President, Chris Myer-VP of Marketing Myer Hotels, Janice Myer-Myer Hotels, Carroll Myer-Myer Hotels, Gail Myer-VP of Operations Myer Hotels, Sonja Myer – Myer Hotels, Steve Graber-General Manager of Comfort Inn & Suites, Steve Joyce-President and CEO of Choice Hotels International

The Comfort Inn & Suites in Branson Meadows offers spectacular views of Ozark Mountains, but the hotel staff has another accolade to brag about -- being named Inn of the Year by the Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), franchisor of the Comfort Inn brand. The coveted award was announced during the company’s 55th annual convention in Washington, D.C.

"Being selected as the best of the best from the over 1,995-strong Comfort Inn brand shows that Comfort Inn & Suites in Branson is an exceptional performer," said Bruce Haase, executive vice president, global brand operations. “When it comes to operational excellence and guest satisfaction, this hotel stands out among its peers as the best – which is quite an accomplishment.”

The best of each Choice Hotels brand is selected by reviewing the property’s guest satisfaction scores, the quality assurance scores and unannounced on-site inspections. Choice Hotels presents the awards for properties that best demonstrate lodging excellence by offering services and guest experiences that set the standards for the entire industry.

“We are deeply honored to receive this award and it reaffirms our commitment to providing guests with an optimal experience,” said General Manager Steve Graber, who celebrated the award with Owners Carroll and Janice Myer, Chris and Sonja Myer, and Gail Myer, of Myer Hotels. "Our staff is very committed to making sure our guests have the best experience each and every time they visit us. This award shows that the hard work of the staff has been appreciated.”

Myer Hotels is no stranger to having top ranked hotels. It has been a past finalist for “Comfort Inn of the Year” five times. This year, the Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills, also in Branson and owned by Myer Hotels, was a top-five finalists for the award. "To have two properties in the same town in the top five is incredible," said Chris Myer, VP of Marketing.

With the majestic Ozark Mountains nearby, the 102-room Comfort Inn & Suites in Branson Meadows, with its mountain lodge theme, is conveniently located near Mansion America Theatre, Sight and Sounds Theaters, the Tri-Lakes Center multi-purpose complex and the Yakov Smirnoff Theatre.

Located at 5150 Gretna Road, the hotel offers guests amenities which include free breakfast, high-speed Internet access, an indoor heated pool, hot tub and sauna as well as an on-site exercise room, game room and sundeck. Guests will always enjoy the “million-dollar” views of both the Ozarks Mountains and Branson area.

Special "Last Blast of Summer" opportunities at Silver Dollar City Attractions

Moonlight Madness, July 27 – August 9 (Silver Dollar City)

Throughout Moonlight Madness, Silver Dollar City will be open all day and into the night. July 27 – August 9, the park will be open from 9:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. for summer night thrills on the thirty themed rides and attractions from high-speed coasters such as the explosive-launch coaster PowderKeg, to the mega-splashing American Plunge.

Enjoy KidsFest all day and stay all night with your day pass or season pass
-OR-
Come after 5 p.m. for only $20 for night ride thrills

Summer Ride Days, August 17-20 (Silver Dollar City)

For those still not back to school, the dates August 17-20 have been added to the Silver Dollar City calendar. Open 10-6 p.m., these days are dedicated to the rides, from the multi-looping roller coaster WildFire to the 10 family rides at the Grand Exposition. Select merchandise and food venues will be open as well.

Night Water, August 17, 19, 21 (White Water)

Open only at night August 17, 19 and 21, White Water hosts Night Water with the largest selection of water rides and attractions in the Ozarks. For only $20 from 4-10 p.m. guests can enjoy their favorite water thrills in a new way, from catching a wave in Surfquake Wave Pool to racing on the region’s largest high-speed water ride, Kalani Towers, under the stars. The Hawaiian theme will include a nighttime luau, offering tropical treats.

Savor Southern Gospel Music and Home Cooking at Silver Dollar City's Southern Gospel Picnic

Silver Dollar City's Southern Gospel Picnic presents the top performers in gospel music along with hearty home-cooking served up picnic-style. The festival features 12 days of soul-stirring songs from Dove Award winners, Hall of Famers, top recording artists and up-and-coming groups, with over 300 performances during the festival, Aug. 27 - Sept. 7.

“The Southern Gospel genre has changed from being exclusively quartet-focused to including family groups, trios and even bluegrass and country groups, and we’ve got the favorites in all categories,” says SDC festival coordinator, D.A. Callaway. “The common thread is that it’s all uplifting – praise music from the heart, guaranteed to lift your spirits, make you tap your feet and clap along.”

Featured traditional artists include multiple Dove Award winners The Kingsmen, Gold City, Brian Free & Assurance and The Booth Brothers, plus phenomenally popular groups and Dove Award winners Jeff & Sheri Easter, Karen Peck and New River and Mike & Kelly Bowling. Contemporary artists include 2008 Dove winners The Isaacs and Austins Bridge. Another crowd favorite, Callaway says, is the Reggie Saddler Family, led by former R&B artist Reggie Saddler who performed with artists from Jerry Lee Lewis to the Drifters before entering the gospel music ministry. Performances throughout the day are followed by Southern Gospel Nights concerts each evening in the park's 4,000-seat amphitheater.

New this year, worship services on Sunday, Sept. 6 will feature The Lesters and minister/humorist Dr. Dennis Swanberg. Swanberg’s humor is also showcased in several performances, and comedic performers include Aaron Wilburn, Tim Lovelace and Roy Webb.

Nothing pairs with Southern Gospel music better than favorite picnic foods. The House of Chicken and Fixin's and The Picnic Wagon on the Square feature double-battered southern fried chicken, slow-roasted apple-glazed chicken and smoked barbecue chicken, with favorite “fixin's” from au gratin potatoes and coleslaw to Silver Dollar City’s signature cakes.

Throughout the festival, the park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Sept. 5-6, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.). Information, schedules and tickets are at 800-831-4FUN or www.silverdollarcity.com.