It Always Feels Like a Holiday in Branson, MOby Jo Ann Holt2008 has been a very busy and exciting year for me. One of the highlights of the past year, second only to marrying my own true love after 11 years of dating, was discovering the delights of Branson, Missouri. We took a wedding trip to Branson and enjoyed it so much, we went back twice this year. Each time, we were totally enamored with the beautiful scenery, the friendly people, and the non-stop performances available in the many entertainment venues. All of these are suitable for families—in fact, Branson is the perfect place for a family vacation any time of the year. In the spring and summer, there are numerous outdoor activities ranging from hiking to bike riding, to camping and fishing on area lakes like Table Rock and Lake Taneycomo. Tourists also flock to ride the “Ducks” on and off the lakes, or to board one of the Branson Landing Cruises for sight-seeing.  You can enjoy dinner and a show on the Branson Belle, or have dinner on the Ozark Zephyr Scenic Railway while enjoying nature’s slideshow out the window.
There is also plenty of great shopping at area antique shops and in historic downtown Branson, while more upscale shopping and restaurants can be found at the sprawling new Branson Landing Entertainment District. Silver Dollar City, known as the “Home of American Craftsmanship,” held a great heritage and crafts festival in autumn and also opened a Culinary & Craft School to feature heirloom displays and demonstrations. On our most recent visit, we were fortunate to be in Branson for the kickoff of the holiday season, which comes immediately after Halloween on November 1 and runs through December 30. Or, as entertainer Larry Gatlin phrased it, “Christmas starts whenever Andy Williams says it does,” referring to the famed entertainer’s longtime presence in Branson. Williams was the Grand Marshall of a parade and holiday lighting ceremony at Branson Landing November 1st that drew many of the celebrity entertainers whose holiday shows were opening that night. More about the shows we saw later!  This most special of all holiday seasons starts with Silver Dollar City’s Old Time Christmas and the lighting of the 5-story musical Christmas tree with over one million lights.
 The heritage theme park also presents a rousing production of Dickens “A Christmas Carol,” a 60-minute musical featuring great special effects, scenery and costumes with a talented cast of 14 performers accompanied by a live band. There are numerous other shows, rides and attractions at Silver Dollar City, including a new Frosty the Snowman show especially for the kids.
 There is also a Living Nativity scene that brings the true meaning of Christmas to life.
Traditional foods and beverages are available at restaurants and booths on the grounds, and there are also a number of artisans plying their crafts. We bought a lovely and reasonably priced blue shawl (my early Christmas present) that a local weaver had just taken from her loom when the evening weather turned cooler than expected. Famous names are everywhere, with Texans like Mickey Gilley and Country Music icons like Dolly Parton and TV personalities like Andy Williams and Lawrence Welk all having their own venues. We caught up with Texas favorites, Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers, at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theatre. We loved the Sight & Sound Theatre’s presentation of NOAH – The Musical. The well-known Biblical story really comes to life with over 50 live animals and 50 “animatronic” animals onstage, set on a 4-story Ark that doubles as the stage. All the human actors were quite talented too. We enjoyed the Legends in Concert show, which featured a Blues Brothers Act with an Elwood who was actually better than the original (sorry Dan), he had some amazing dance moves. Our favorite Christmas show was Tony Orlando with the Lennon Sisters. Even without Dawn by his side, Tony is a fantastic performer who obviously still loves his work. He also loves this country, and like many of the performers in Branson, had a special salute to veterans included in the show. It was interesting to learn Orlando and the Lennon sisters all live in Branson now.  The ultimate showstopper, though, is the violinist everyone who’s ever been to Branson raves about, Japanese transplant Shoji Tabuchi. This classically trained musician has evolved into a thoroughly Americanized performer who stops at nothing –myriad costume changes, huge production numbers, fireworks, confetti, whatever it takes—to make sure audiences yell themselves hoarse and clap themselves silly before they are allowed to leave the premises.
 The bathrooms at the Shoji Tabuchi Theatre are not to be missed. I’m told the men’s room boasts a billiard table, while the extravagantly decorated ladies room is absolutely exquisite—women were lining up to have their taken there.
The outdoor festival of lights sparkles on a beautiful, winding drive through the Ozarks just outside Branson. There are also special holiday events and shows planned at area museums ranging from the hugely popular Titanic Museum to the Hollywood Wax Museum and the Roy and Dale Rogers Museum.  There are numerous hotels and resorts available for families in the Branson Lakes area, but our favorite is a place just down the road from Silver Dollar City called The Village at Indian Point. Their condos are sometimes available for rental with stunning views of the lake, trees and nearby mountains. For flatland tourists like we were, this is hard to beat.
For up to date information about Branson, including events scheduled this holiday season, contact the area Chamber of Commerce at the site below. The chamber of commerce has a motto, “Someone you love is always playing in Branson.” If you’re lucky, that could be you and your family! For more information about Silver Dollar City, visit www.bransonsilverdollarcity.com. For more information about The Village at Indian Point, visit www.thevillageatindianpoint.com. For more information about Branson area, visit www.ExploreBranson.com. | 