Branson's 61st Adoration Parade Set For Sunday

The tradition continues Sunday, Dec. 6, at 5 p.m. with Branson’s 61st lighted nighttime parade with its non-commercial “Keeping Christ In Christmas” theme. Thousands of spectators come from across the country to see the parade, and often comment on how important it is to remember “the reason for the season.”

The parade begins just after the lighting of that scene with some figures as tall as 28 feet. To kick off the event, the LeCroix Sisters will sing the National Anthem, and Rev. Bob Hubbard will present the invocation.

Sunday’s weather forecast promises a sunny afternoon and 40 degrees for members of the 15 bands and 40 floats and walking units who will wind their way through historic downtown Branson and Branson Landing on the Taneycomo lakefront.

There’s quite a variety of entrants. The Branson High School Pride Band features 96 members while the Wheaton Bulldogs Band from Barry County has 12 members. One of Wheaton’s planned numbers is “Grandma Got Runover By A Reindeer.” The Riverton High School Band from Kansas returns with 49 members. And two drill teams from Kansas City will be here: With 52 members, CJ Jaushlin’s The Infamous Marchin’ White Tigers, and with 16 members, Willie Arthur Smith’s Marching Cobras.

Among the floats, there will be several new entrants including the Hillbilly Youth Bowling League from Lampe. The Christian band “New Anointing” will ride the “Jesus Take The Wheel” float. And Morning Star Reindeer Productions from Donnellson, Ill., will bring a reindeer.

Awards in various categories will be presented at 7:30 p.m. at the Branson Landing fountains. For a complete list of entrants and a parade map, go to www.ExploreBranson.com

In addition to Commercial Street in downtown Branson, there are some great locations to watch the parade, said Kathleen Bullock, director of tourism development for the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.

In the Branson Landing area, the parade travels on the street between the shopping center and the lake. The area north of the Belk parking lot has recently been graded and would be a good viewing location. Other spots include the lawn at the northeast side of the shopping center, the sidewalk along Lake Taneycomo and the Landing fountain area.

Haygoods' Christmas TV Special to Air Regionally

The Haygoods, one of Branson's longest-running family shows, are extremely excited to announce the exclusive airing of an all new Christmas television special in select cities in the Midwest! The 30-minute show is a combination of holiday music, antics, and fun ... Haygood style!

"We have always wanted to show potential visitors to Branson the new, exciting things happening in this town!" said Timothy Haygood. "This show is the perfect vehicle to let folks all over the Midwest know that Branson is cool and fun, especially during the Christmas Season! Even better, the performance can also be viewed worldwide at HaygoodTV.com when the site and show launch on Dec. 13th, 2009!"

In the Springfield/Branson area, the special will air on the CW Network at 1 p.m. on Dec. 5, Dec. 12, Dec. 19 and at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 20. It will air at noon on Dec. 6 on KSPR-ABC and at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 10 and Dec. 17 on KSFX-FOX. In the St. Joseph area, the special will air on KQTV-ABC at 10:35 p.m. on Dec. 6, at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 10, at 4 p.m. on Dec. 12 and at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 17. In the Joplin area, the special will air on KODE-ABC at 4 p.m. on Dec. 13, and on KSN-NBC at 2 p.m. on Dec. 20.

The Haygoods have performed in Branson for 18 years and for more than 5 million people. The live version of the all new Haygood Family Christmas Show runs through Jan. 2nd at the New Americana Theatre in Branson. You can get more information or order tickets at www.TheHaygoods.com or by calling (417) 339-4663.

Duttons Plan an Early Start for 2010

The Dutton family will be getting an early start in 2010 with two special shows at Branson’s Dutton Family Theater on January 1st and 2nd. Although the family will pack up after the last Christmas show on December 8th and head for their winter season in Arizona, a late December tour is enabling them to be back in Branson at the first of the year.

“We’re really excited about being in Branson to welcome the new year,” said family matriarch Sheila Dutton. “I can’t think of a better way to start 2010 than to be performing for our friends and fans in Branson. We’re elated that our schedule is enabling us to be here.”

The Dutton’s Arizona show schedule starts on December 11th and continues through the month of March, including occasional touring to other areas of the country. The two shows in Branson on January 1st and 2nd will both be 8 PM evening shows – and promise to give fans a glimpse of what might be coming for the 2010 season.

Aside from January, the Dutton Family Theater will be operational for much of the winter this year. George Dyer, an instant Branson hit in 2009, will be opening his 2010 season on February 11th. Then the Redhead Express returns for a new season, beginning on March 9th. Immediately thereafter, Branson’s newest show – the nationally acclaimed Cat’s Pajamas vocal band – opens up on Saturday March 13th and the ever-popular Dutton Family returns for their full season on April 13th. Additionally the popular Island Fire Polynesian show will be back in the summer for their fourth season.

Marketing manager Judith Dutton put it this way, “We have been blessed with an unbelievable lineup of talent for our 2010 schedule at the Dutton Family Theater. There’s something for everyone at the Duttons!”

To reserve seats for the shows on January 1st and 2nd, and for information and scheduling for all of the 2010 shows at the Dutton Family Theater, as well as their Arizona winter schedule, visit www.theduttons.com or call (417) 332-2772 or (888) 388-8661.

Chateau On The Lake Resort & Spa Hosting “Little Big Christmas Party” on Dec. 11th

Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa in Branson is hosting an event that could solve the holiday party dilemma for small companies and organizations in the area, as well as for church groups and families that wish to enjoy a festive gathering. The resort will host the “Little Big Christmas Party” on Friday, December 11, 2009, which is being conducted so that smaller companies’ employees, and groups, can enjoy big party festivities. Perfect for groups with 4 – 50 people, the party will feature a reception with hors d’oeuvres, a bountiful holiday dinner buffet, live music, dancing, and a cash bar throughout the evening. The party is being held from 7 p.m.-midnight in the resort’s Great Hall, which will be beautifully decorated with holiday décor.

The reception will run from 7 – 8 p.m. and will feature hot hors d’oeuvres, vegetable crudité with dip, and assorted cheeses and crackers. The dinner buffet will be 8-9 p.m. and will boast several salads, Carved Prime Rib, Roasted Turkey with Cornbread Sage Stuffing, Buttermilk Whipped Potatoes with Giblet Gravy, Au Gratin Potatoes, Honey Glazed Carrots, Green Bean Casserole, Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding with Brandy Cream Anglaise, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Pecan Pie, and other holiday favorites. Iced tea and coffee are also included. The party is $40 per person, which includes all service charges and tax.

“It will be a very fun party that will enable smaller businesses to reward their employees for a job well done, as well as a great way for families and friends to celebrate the holidays,” said Stephen Marshall, vice president and general manager of Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa.

For reservations or more information, contact Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa’s catering department at (417) 243-1732, and ask for Lisa.

As a tie-in with the party, the resort is offering a special “Little Big Christmas Party Room Rate” to party attendees, with rates starting at just $89 per room, per night, plus tax. For reservations, call (417) 334-1161.

Standing on a beautiful Ozark mountaintop overlooking scenic Table Rock Lake, the 301-room resort features an array of offerings, which includes the impressive 14,000-square-foot Spa Chateau, the full-service Chateau on the Lake Marina, a 24-hour fitness center, two lighted tennis courts, a year-round indoor pool, an outdoor (seasonal) pool, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, nature and biking trails, the 54-seat Sassafras Movie Theater, Crawdaddies Kids Club, and full-service concierge.

"Titanic" Movie Exhibit Ending Two-Year Run In Branson

You’ll have to move quickly to experience Titanic Branson’s exclusive tribute to James Cameron’s movie masterpiece "Titanic." After a successful two-year run, the extraordinary one-of-a-kind exhibit will close January 1, 2010, announced Titanic Museum Attraction owner John Joslyn.

“More than a million visitors have toured our special Titanic Movie Gallery. If you’re not already among that group — and even if you are — make plans to tour over the holidays before it’s too late,” says Joslyn. “This is the movie that swept the Academy Awards in 1997. It secured an unprecedented niche in Hollywood history after winning 11 Oscars.”

The Titanic Movie Gallery offers a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes for a glimpse of the film’s hand-crafted props and set pieces and its beautiful costumes, including the famous red-beaded “jump” dress Rose was wearing when Jack kept her from jumping ship early in the film. There’s also the pink “sinking” coat Rose wore while rescuing Jack from the sinking ship, and the magnificent heart-shaped diamond and sapphire necklace that stole the show. Valued at more than $250,000, it boasts 325 diamonds totaling 16 carats that circle a stunning 155-carat sapphire. In addition, visitors are privy to behind-the-scenes videos, photos, provocative on-location stories and the actual shooting script Cameron used.

“During the holidays, we’ll be coming down to the wire as this great exhibit comes to a close. Be sure you catch this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” invites Joslyn, also the expedition leader of the first private exploration dive to Titanic’s wreck site.

The World’s Largest Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson has been in operation for 3½ years and has welcomed aboard almost 2 million guests. The 17,000 square-foot ship-shaped structure is built half-scale to the original Titanic and towers more than 100 feet above its anchored position on Highway 76. A 90-minute self-guided or optional audio tour covers 20 galleries on two decks displaying more than 400 priceless artifacts that once belonged to Titanic passengers or crew.