Known as the “Live Music Show

Capital of the World,” Branson

has been welcoming guests to the

Ozarks for 100 years. With more

than 50 live performance theaters,

three pristine lakes, 12 champi-

onship golf courses, a theme park,

dozens of attractions and museums,

and a historic downtown district, plus

shopping, dining and hotels for every

budget, it is a long-time favorite with tour

groups. This year marks Branson’s

100th birthday and in celebration, 100

Days with 100 Ways to Celebrate will

take place April through July to show

groups a good time and ignite spirit and

hope for the next century.

Highlights of the Early Years

Early settlers were lured by the

beauty of the Ozarks and outdoor recre-

ational activities. Branson was incorpo-

rated as a town on April 1, 1912, but the

history goes back more than a half cen-

tury before that. The first family attraction

to draw visitors was Marvel Cave, de-

scribed by geologists in the 1860s and

explored in the 1880s by adventurers

who lowered themselves on ropes 200

feet into the main chamber.

Near the turn of the century, minister

Harold Bell Wright traveled to the

Ozarks for health reasons. He

stayed at the homestead of John

and Anna Ross, who became the

characters Old Matt and Aunt Mol-

lie in his best-selling novel The

Shepherd of the Hills, published in

1907.

When Ozark Beach Dam (also called

Powersite Dam) was built in 1913, Lake

Taneycomo was created, and the area

became popular with outdoor enthusi-

asts who came to fish, boat, swim, hunt

and enjoy the rugged beauty of the

Ozark Mountains. In 1959 the comple-

tion of Table Rock Dam created Table

Rock Lake, also renowned for bass fish-

ing and water sports.

The area first gained national atten-

tion in the entertainment industry in 1954

18 February 2012

on location: midwest � sue arko

BRANSONAT THE CENTURY MARK

The Branson Landing Fountains, on the Taneycomo lakefront in historic downtown Branson, feature sound, light, fire cannons and 120-foot geysers.

This Missouri group favorite celebrates its 100th year in 2012

This vintage scene from the 1940s, looking

west onto Main Street and downtown Branson,

shows the old bridge over Lake Taneycomo.

Phot

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when legendary country singer Red

Foley moved to Springfield, Mo. from

Nashville, Tenn. to host Ozark Jubilee,

one of the first successful network tele-

vision shows. Shortly thereafter in 1959,

the Mabe brothers began performing

popular country music and Ozark moun-

tain music along with a dash of comedy

twice a week in downtown Branson. In

1969 they became known as the Bald-

knobbers and built a theater on Highway

76, making their act the longest continu-

ously running show in Branson today.

The Shepherd of the Hills, an out-

door pageant based on the novel, began

in 1959 and has grown into one of the

nation’s most popular outdoor historical

dramas. It boasts a cast of more than 80

actors, dozens of animals, pyrotechnical

displays, and authentic props and sets.

The Sons of the Pioneers perform in a

chuckwagon dinner show on the Home-

stead grounds.

In 1960 Silver Dollar City began op-

erations as a small, old-time Ozarks vil-

lage atop Marvel Cave, offering an

1880s steam train ride, demonstrating

craftsmen, themed shops and music. By

1963 Silver Dollar City was Missouri’s

top tourist attraction and in 1967 re-

ceived national exposure when the pop-

ular Beverly Hillbillies television show

filmed five episodes at the park.

100 Years Later

In addition to Branson’s centennial,

2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the

sinking of the RMS Titanic. On the night

of April 14, a century ago, a lookout in

the crow’s nest shouted, “Iceberg right

ahead,” and the famous ship sank

early on April 15. The Titanic Museum

Attraction in Branson will honor the

2,208 passengers and crew members

with an ongoing series of special events,

activities and ceremonies throughout the

year. On April 14 and 15, a two-day trib-

ute ceremony will include a candlelight

service and the lighting of an eternal

flame that will burn year-round to remind

every museum visitor of those people

who were onboard the ill-fated liner.

As the whole world remembers, the

Titanic Museum Attraction allows visitors

to experience what it was like to walk the

hallways, parlors, cabins and Grand

Staircase of the Titanic while surrounded

by more than 400 artifacts from the ship

and its passengers. They can touch a

real iceberg, walk the Grand Staircase

and third class hallways, stick their

hands into 28-degree water and try to

stand on the sloping decks.

Another anniversary taking place in

2012 is Andy Williams’ 75th year of en-

tertaining. The Moon River Theatre will

feature guest stars Dick Van Dyke, Jack

Jones, Pat and Debby Boone, and many

more.

Special Events Rule in Branson

See the World in Branson, the an-

nual month-long Ozark Mountain spring

event, highlights the vast amount of in-

ternationally inspired entertainment, at-

tractions, and cuisine available to

groups. Guests enjoy cultural experi-

ences without having to travel abroad.

Produced by the Branson Area Re-

ceptive Association, the event will take

place April 1-May 6, 2012, with theaters,

hotels, restaurants and retail venues

representing countries from all around

the world. It is a perfect fit for Branson,

which already has such entertainers as

the Acrobats of China, Twelve Irish

Tenors, Shoji Tabuchi, the Liverpool Leg-

ends and Yakov Smirnoff. During the

festival, other Branson venues will high-

light their own cultural origins or a culture

they find interesting.

A highlight of See the World in Bran-

son is MusicFest at the Welk Resort on

April 25-26, 2012. A Marketplace Tent

features over 40 booths representing 30

countries. Guests receive passports and

get them stamped inside the Market-

place throughout the two-day event. See

the World Music Showcase includes

over 20 Branson entertainers performing

in two music showcases. Guests meet

the entertainers, take up-close photo-

LeisureGroupTravel.com February 2012 19

An international element flavors

Branson’s varied entertainment

scene, from Russian comedian

Yakov Smirnoff to the Acrobats

of China and the Liverpool Legends,

a rousing tribute to the Beatles

and their music.

graphs and get autographs.

See the World in Branson coincides

with Silver Dollar City’s WorldFest,

billed as “America’s Largest International

Festival,” which takes place April 12-May

6. Entertainment will include:

• La Bella Musica in Red Gold Her-

itage Hall showcases classically trained

operatic tenor Aaron Caruso, who

recently performed at Carnegie Hall. The

show also features soprano Melanie Go-

erlitz and World Accordion Champion

Cory Pesaturo

• Viva Italia - Red Gold’s Courtyard

comes to life with Italian flag throwers,

living vines and statues, stilt walkers and

a colorful costume parade.

• Mariachi Divas, a Grammy Award-

winning, all-female music ensemble with

members from Mexico, Cuba, Samoa,

Argentina, Colombia, Honduras and

more.

• Traditional Hawaiian Country Music

Show starring four-time Grammy winner

George Kahumoku

• Peruvian Yawar Chicchi Sissor

Dancers.

• Kenyan Sarakasi Acrobats, world-

renowned acrobats from Nairobi, Kenya

• Russian Academic Band

• Ireland’s premier harpist, Dearbhail

Finnegan

Branson is also known for America’s

largest Veterans Day celebration. Veter-

ans Homecoming Week salutes veter-

ans and active-duty Armed Forces from

Nov. 5-11 every year. This seven-day

tribute includes many special events that

honor our military’s service, commitment

and ultimate sacrifice. While this event

lasts only a week, veterans and active-

duty personnel are appreciated in Bran-

son every day of the year.

This same warm hospitality and VIP

service awaits tour groups. Branson

continues to roll out the red carpet and

offer new and exciting performances, at-

tractions and events. Plan now to join the

celebrations in Branson in 2012. LGT

on location: midwest �

20 February 2012 LeisureGroupTravel.com

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: See the articles on Missouri Civil War attractions at http://leisuregroup-travel.com/p?=26290 and St. Louis historical sites at http://leisuregrouptravel.com/p?=26217.

Electro Spin is one of many rides at Silver

Dollar City theme park in Branson, Mo.

Obtain Missouri visitor guides and itineraries and contact group-friendly suppliers directly

at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info