Branson Celebrates Freedom with Fireworks and Family Fun

July 2010

Branson Celebrates Freedom with Fireworks and Family Fun

Branson is red, white and blue every day, but our nation's Independence Day takes on special importance, and several of the region's longest-running patriotic celebrations can be found here.

The July 4th weekend is packed with activities for your special group, including a number of concerts and fireworks displays. Saturday night, July 3, at 8 p.m. at the Branson Landing Fountains, the celebration continues with a free concert from Chain Reaction – A Tribute to Journey. Following the concert – Branson Landing’s 3rd Annual Liberty Light Up – An amazing choreogrpahed Fireworks Display Show produced by Gateway Fireworks Displays.And after dark on July 4, pull up a lawn chair and enjoy one of the more than half-dozen professional fireworks displays in the Branson/Lakes Area. See below for a list of fun family events and fireworks displays scheduled July 4th Weekend in and around Branson!

Events in the Branson/Lakes Area Fourth of July Weekend

June 5 - Aug 8: National KidsFest at Silver Dollar City
June 12 - Sept 6: Splash’s Family Luau at Ride The Ducks
June 28 - July 2: Branson Gospel Music Convention at the Branson Convention Center
July 1 - July 31: Rachel Wilson’s Horse Sculpture Event at The Titanic Museum Attraction
July 2 - July 10: Night Water at White Water
July 2 - July 5: July 4th Summer Sales at Factory Merchants Branson
July 2 - July 5: July 4th Weekend Activities and Fireworks display at the Chateau on the Lake Resort

Saturday, July 3

Branson Landing's 3rd Annual Liberty Light Up Concert & Fireworks Starring Chain Reaction - A Tribute to Journey at The Branson Landing
Foreigner, Styx, and Kansas, Black Oak Mountain Amphitheater, 1728 State Highway H, Lampe

Sunday, July 4

Patriotic Picnic and Fireworks, Big Cedar Lodge, Swimmin' Hole Lawn
Cape Fair Fireworks Display at the Cape Fair Marina
Chateau on the Lake Resort Fireworks Display
25th Annual Fireburst,at the Harter House Parking Lot; Kimberling City
Shepherd of the Hills Fireworks Celebration, Shepherd of the Hills Homestead
34th Annual Fire & Thunder Fireworks Display, Shell Knob, MO
4th of July Fireworks Spectacular at Rockaway Beach Park
57th Annual Hollister 4th of July Celebration, Historic Downtown Hollister
Special Engagement – The Hoppers – The Mansion Theatre

For a complete list of Branson-area activities and the dozens of shows on the July 4th weekend, visit www.explorebranson.com

Chun Yi - The Legend of Kung Fu Opens at White House Theatre

The highly anticipated Chinese production, Chun Yi - The Legend of Kung Fu, opened this week in the completely renovated White House Theatre in Branson.

The show debuted in China in 2004 and was designated as the main show of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Legend of Kung Fu has wowed and amazed audiences with its unique combination of traditional martial arts skill, aerial ballet, dance and music and has been performed more than 3000 times worldwide and has been seen by more than 2 million people.

With a cast of 65 performers, it is one of the largest theatrical productions in Branson, immersing audiences in magnificent scenery, lighting, sound and special effects as the tale unfolds. The Legend of Kung Fu's story revolves around a young man's journey to reach enlightenment by overcoming obstacles in his life.

The show is a production of China Heaven Creation, founded in 1999 with the backing of the China Travel Service and approval from the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China as a national model for cultural export. More information is available at www.KungFuBranson.com

"DIANA — The People’s Princess" to Open at the New Branson Exhibition Center

Already experienced by adoring audiences around the world, this blockbuster exhibition opens Thursday, July 1, 2010 – just in time to commemorate Princess Diana’s 49th birthday. Centrally located at the former Roy Rogers Museum on Green Mountain Drive, the exhibition at the new Branson Exhibition Center will give area visitors and residents alike an opportunity to experience an in-depth look into one of the world’s most intriguing personalities — as told through the images and objects which help reveal her fascinating story.

The exhibition features a broad array of artifacts and images from signature periods throughout her life, and begins in the exhibition center’s 300-seat theater with a 15 minute video developed with the guidance of the Smithsonian Institute to give attendees a dramatic introduction to the rest of the exhibition. The self-guided tour takes guests through a series of zones, each dedicated to a different time in Princess Diana’s life, featuring state-of-the-art videos throughout the exhibit.

One of the main highlights of the exhibition is the display of more than a half dozen of Princess Diana’s actual gowns from various times of her life—giving visitors an intimate, up-close look at her own distinct sense of style. Visit www.princessdianabranson.com

Summer Production Features Songs from Hit TV Show GLEE

Branson Variety Theater proudly announces a gleeful tribute "DON'T STOP BELIEVIN'!" A new summer production featuring the songs from the hit TV show GLEE.

The Broadway singers and dancers will take you on a gleeful musical journey featuring the songs you love- songs from the Golden Globe award winning TV Show. If you are fan of the TV show, then you will want to see this limited production, now through August 14th. Featured songs in the show include "Don't Stop Believin'", "You're the One That I Want", "Defying Gravity", "Maybe This Time", "Proud Mary" and many, many more. For more information visit www.bransonvarietytheatre.com

First Time in Branson - 3 Redneck Tenors – A New Musical Adventure

It’s their first appearance in Branson and for a limited time only – At The Oak Ridge Boys Theatre July 6 through August 15th. The 3 Redneck Tenors tell a story about three classical backwoods cousins journey from modest beginnings in Paris, Texas, as they cornball and slapstick it all the way to their triumphant debut at New York’s Carnegie Hall! It’s a foot stompin,’ knee slappin,’ uproariously funny redneck musical romp with tunes from Elvis to Puccini, soul to pop, and country to opera, with astounding vocals you have to hear to believe! Visit www.3rednecktenors.com

Cool Summer Fun at Night Water

Back by popular demand, it’s Night Water at White Water. From July 2 to 10, guests can play all day and into the night with a one-day ticket or season pass, or come after 5 p.m. for five hours of fun for just $20 per person. The whole family has the chance to play the night away at White Water until 10 p.m. every night.

Nighttime thrills abound at the region’s largest fun-filled tropical getaway. Guests can raft the challenging Ohana Falls or surf the 500,000 gallon wave pool at dusk, meander down the Lazy River under the stars, and maneuver Raging River Rapids and the Bermuda Triangle in the dark.

For the adventurous, the region’s largest high-speed water ride is the ultimate after-dark experience. Take in the panoramic view of the lights of B-town before plunging 75 feet on Kalani Towers, a multi-experience thrill ride with two 300-foot drop slides for freefall body sliding at speeds up to 40 mph, and four additional 312-foot slides for lane racing at speeds up to 25 miles per hour. “Kalani Towers is the ultimate splashdown thrill, and it’s even better after dark,” says White Water General Manager Jackie Smith. “The entire family can get in on the fun, whether plummeting down the huge drop flumes, or racing down the four-lane slides.”

Night Water at White Water is featured July 2-10. The park is open daily through August 15, and then weekends through Sept. 6. For information, call 800-831-4FUN (386) or visit www.bransonwhitewater.com.

Branson Airport Announces New Non Stop Service

The Branson Airport recently announced nonstop service to and from Chicago and Indianapolis marketed as public charter flights by Branson AirExpress and operated by ExpressJet Airlines, according to an airport news release.

The new service will begin Sept. 10, operating Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays to and from Chicago Midway Airport and Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays to and from Indianapolis International Airport.

Branson AirExpress also offers service to Austin, Texas (AUS), Houston (HOU), Des Moines (DSM), Shreveport (SHV) and Gulfport-Biloxi (GPT) and Nashville (BNA). Connecting flights are available to Austin and Houston from Chicago, Indianapolis, Des Moines, Gulfport-Biloxi, Nashville, and Shreveport. ExpressJet features a young fleet of fuel-efficient Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft configured with no middle seats, and cushioned leather seating. For more information visit, www.bransonairexpress.com

Don Williams “Un-Retires” for Major Show Oct. 9th

Don Williams, with hits including Good Ole Boys Like Me, I Believe In You, Love Is On A Roll, Some Broken Hearts Never Mend and Tulsa Time, has always had a knack for finding songs that speak directly to people’s hearts. All together he has 17 - #1 and 42 – Top 10 hits. Such a career has made Don Williams a 2010 inductee to The Country Music Hall of Fame. That honor, accompanied by an overwhelming demand by fans around the world, has prompted Williams to come out of retirement for a few select concerts this fall. One of those very special shows will be at Tri-Lakes Center in Branson on Saturday October 9 at 7:00pm.
When he retired four years ago Williams had no plans to take the stage again. It was time to enjoy the fruits of his labor, and when he felt like it he would still record new material. That changed this year with the announcement that Williams would be entering the Country Music Hall of Fame. His fans kept asking for the opportunity to hear his amazing voice live on stage one more time. As an artist who always appreciated the tremendous support of his fans, Williams decided to perform a handful of shows this fall to say “thank you” for his incredible career. Visit www.upcloseconcerts.com.

Compton Ridge to Host Fiddler’s Convention

The fiddle is the official state instrument of Missouri and scheduled Sept. 16 – 19 at Compton Ridge Campground is an annual event that draws hundreds of avid fiddle fans from around the country to experience the Bob Walsh Memorial Fiddler’s Convention -- three days of fiddles, food, fun and fellowship. Compton Ridge Resort has more than 200 RV site, 56 tent sites, 10 cabins, and 30 motel and lodge rooms. Compton ridge is even offering a special discount to convention attendees. For more information visit www.comptonridge.com

Smithsonian Exhibit To Open at Bonniebrook

The Smithsonian Institution has chosen Bonniebrook, the historic home and museum of artist and Kewpie creator Rose O’Neill, for the traveling exhibit “Journey Stories” from June 26 through Aug. 7. It illustrates the development and evolution of transportation inspired by the human drive for freedom.

The Bonniebrook Historical Society, the White River Historical Society and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum also have created journey stories specific to Southwest Missouri. Bonniebrook is eight miles north of Branson on U.S. 65. Visit, www.roseoneill.org

Furry Friends Allowed at Baymont

The recently remodeled Baymont Inn near the intersection of U.S. 65 and Mo. 76 is now “pet-friendly because more people are traveling with their furry friends, the hotel now allows pets of 30 pounds or less with a $25 non-refundable deposit. The high-rise hotel built in 1985 recently underwent months of extensive renovations, reopening under the Baymont trademark last October. Now, each of the 87 rooms have fridges, microwaves, jetted tubs, flat screen TVs, high-speed Internet, even in-room safes. Plus, there’s a beautiful indoor pool and fitness center.

Recently, officials with the Smithsonian Institution stayed at the Baymont while planning their upcoming exhibit at Bonniebrook. BaymontBranson.com

Janet Dailey’s Restaurant Opens

River Stone Restaurant in Ye Olde English Inn on Downing Street in Hollister is open for breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. serving American-style cuisine. Nationally acclaimed author of history and romance novels Janet Dailey bought the hotel in March. The kitchen has been completely redone, and remodeled restrooms are handicapped accessible. The Black House Pub will open soon. Dailey also plans to restore the 20 guest rooms, balcony and parlor for special events. Visit www.JanetDailey.com