Archive for the ‘Festivals’ Category

Nothing goes together quite like Bluegrass and BBQ! Now you can  enjoy both with the Bluegrass & BBQ Festival at Branson’s Silver Dollar City theme park, May 10 through June 3, 2012.

Enjoy taste tempting treats from the nation’s most popular flavors at The House of BBQ where you’ll find everything from Memphis dry rub and Texas-style BBQ to the Kansas City style BBQ found in the Midwest.

Fill your plate, then sit back and experience the finest in Bluegrass from the hottest new bands to award-winning favorites. The annual festival at Silver Dollar City offers us 23 days of electrifying performances by some of the biggest names in Bluegrass, including Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, Bluegrass Martins, The Link Family, Nothin’ Fancy, Flatt Lonesome, The Gibson Brothers and the Larry Stephenson Band.

Scheduled Performers

May 10 - 11  Bluegrass Martins - 2012 Midwest SPBGMA Instrumental Group of the Year; Dobro Performer of the Year - Larita Martin; Banjo Performer of the Year - Janice Martin; Fiddle Performer of the Year - Jeana Martin Faris

May 10 - 11  New Town

May 10 - 11   The Ward Family

May 10 - 12  The Huntley Sisters

May 10 - 12  Rhonda Vincent & The Rage - 7-time IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year; 2011 SPBGMA Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year; Entertainer of the Year; 2012 SPBGMA Female Vocalist of the Year

May 10 - 13  The Link Family - 2012 Midwest SPBGMA Vocal Group of the Year; 2011 National Single Microphone Champions

May 10 - 13  Nothin’ Fancy - 4-time SPBGMA Entertaining Group of the Year

May 12 - 13   Bama Blu-Grace

May 12 - 13  Brightwater Junction

May 12 - 13  Flatt Lonesome - 1st Place Winner, 2012 SPBGMA International Band Championship

May 13 - 14   Joe Muillins & the Radio Ramblers

May 13 - 14   Majerus Family

May 14 & 16   The Bankester Family 

May 14 - 16  Bluegrass Missourians

May 14, 21 & 28  The Farnum Family 

May 16 - 17   Bluegrass Addiction

May 16 - 17   The Petersens

May 16 - 17   Tony Holt & Wildwood Valley Boys

May 16 - 18  The Kruger Brothers

May 17 & 18   Blue Rain - 2011 Youth In Bluegrass Band Champions

May 17 - 18   Mississippi Sawyers

May 17 - 19  Don Rigsby & Midnight Call

May 18 - 20   Sherman Mountain Boys

May 18 - 20   Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike

May 19  Steel Bridge

May 19 - 20   Bluegreass Brigade - 2012 Midwest SPBGMA Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year - Mae Burlison

May 23 - 25  Redhead Express 

May 24 - 25   All 4 Hym

May 24 - 25   Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver - 6 time IBMA Vocal Group of the Year

May 24 - 25  The Gibson Brothers - 2011 IBMA Vocal Group and Album of the Year; 2012 SPBGMA Bluegrass Album of the Year, Bluegrass Song of the Year & Songwriter of the Year - Leigh & Eric Gibson

May 24 - 25   Triple L Band 

May 25 - 27  Potters Wheel 

May 25 - 27   Southern Raised 

May 25 - 28   David Davis & The Warrior River Boys

May 26 - 27   Mike Balos Family

May 26 - 27  KSMU Youth in Bluegrass Band Contest

May 26 - 28  Balsam Range- 2011 IBMA Song of the Year

May 26 - 28  Hootin’ Annies - 2012 Midwest SPBGMA Bass Fiddle Performer of the Year - Karla Campbell

May 26 - 28   The Roys

May 28 - 29  Little Roy & Lizzie Show

May 28 - 29  Snyder Family Band

May 29  Larry Stephenson Band - 5-time SPBGMA Male Vocalist; 2012 SPBGMA Mandolin Player of the Year

May 29 - 30  King Family

May 29 - 31  The Chapmans

May 29 - 31   IIIrd Generation Bluegrass

May 30 - 31  Marty Raybon & Full Circle

May 30 - 31   Newfound Road

May 30 - 31  Westbound Rangers

May 30 - Jun 1   Special Concensus

May 31   Locust Ridge

May 31 - Jun 3  Rigney Family

June 1   The Rochesters

June 1 - 3    Bull Harman & Bull’s Eye - 2012 Midwest SPBGMA Contemporary Bluegrass Band of the Year; Guitar Performer of the Year - Bull Harman

June 1 - 3   The Grascals - 2011 SPBGMA Instrumental Group of the Year; 2012 SPBGMA Instrumental Group of the Year & Banjo Performer of the Year - Kristin Scott Benson; 2-time IMBA Entertainer of the Year

June 1 - 3   Jerry Butler & The Blu-J’s

June 1 - 3    Leroy Troy & the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band

June 2 - 3   Monroe Crossing

June 2 - 3    Pickin’ Chicks

Spring in the Ozarks is highlighted by the colorful blossoms of trees like the Bradford Pear, Redbud and Dogwood. But the most colorful sign of spring in Branson, MO is the annual World-Fest at Silver Dollar City theme park, currently running through May 6, 2012.

One of the park’s six major festivals held throughout the year, World-Fest brings plenty of color, excitement, fun and even the taste of various countries from around the globe.

World cultures come to life at Silver Dollar City, through dancing, music, traditions, foods and the unique heritage that each country offers. The “Tastes of the World” food pavilion offers guests an opportunity to experience a range of tempting dishes from around the world including international nachos, Irish fish and chips, Italian calzone, and desserts like baklava, tiramisu torte and apfel dumplings with cinnamon ice cream.

 Of course, in addition to colorful festivals, Silver Dollar City remains one of the area’s most popular destinations for fun. The park offers more than 30 rides and attractions, including Wildfire, a world-class looping roller coaster that reaches speeds up to 66 mph and the new Half Dollar Holler, geared to kids through age 7. You’ll also find entertainment and dozens of live shows, plus demonstrating craftsmen throughout the 1880s styled theme park.

Silver Dollar City recently opened for the 2012 season and the theme park has plenty of new excitement planned for visitors. In addition to more than 30 exciting attractions, Silver Dollar City will debut a number of all new shows throughout the year.

More than a dozen new shows are scheduled to appear on stage at the popular Branson theme park, located in the heart of the beautiful Ozark Mountains. You’ll also find the usual wide assortment of demonstrating craftsmen and the park’s annual world-class festivals.

The year’s first festival, World-Fest, features six exciting acts, including the new “La Bella Musica.” Located in the new Italy section of the festival, the show offers stilt-walkers, acrobats, flag throwers and a special parade.

World class acrobats, The Flying Walendas, will return to headline Silver Dollar City’s Kids-Fest which also features two new shows. “Luma” brings the story of Marvel Cave to life using a high-tech 3-D light show. Meanwhile, kids will enjoy the interactive fun at “Gazillion Bubbles.”

Coming this fall, the National Harvest Festival will debut a new western stunt show. Meanwhile, in November, An Old Time Christmas celebration will present “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

With spring officially here, Silver Dollar City is once again open for business and preparing for its first major festival of the year - WorldFest.

America’s largest international festival runs April 12-May 6 at Silver Dollar City, which also hosts five other world class festivals throughout the year. WorldFest features international entertainers and some of the best acts from around the world in a celebration of global proportions.

WorldFest 2012 offers a variety of new participants including La Bella Musica which showcases the classically trained operatic tenor, Aaron Caruso, soprano Melanie Goerlitz and world accordion champion, Cory Pesaturo.

Viva Italia is another new attraction offering Italian flag throwers, living vines and statues, stilt walkers and a colorful costume parade. Other newcomers in 2012 include the Mariachi Divas, a Grammy Award-winning all-female music ensemble, the Traditional Hawaiian Country Music Show, Peruvian Yawar Chicchi Scissor Dancers and the Kenyan Sarakasi Acrobats from Nairobi.

The Ozark hills surrounding Branson, Missouri have long resonated with beautiful Southern gospel music. The vibrant music can be heard from county fairs and country churches to grand stages and family backyards. Yet the biggest stage of all features the spectacular Southern Gospel Picnic at Silver Dollar City theme park.

The Southern Gospel Picnic is actually an annual festival at Silver Dollar City running from August 25 through Sept. 5, 2011. This year’s festival features hundreds of performances from the most famous names in southern gospel music.

Of course, as the name implies, the Picnic is also a delicious feast, with savory southern cooking at The House of Chicken & Fixin’s on the City’s square! You’ll find a variety of styles of chicken, all the extras. Choose from Apple-Glazed Chicken, Hickory-Smoked Chicken or Southern Fried Chicken.

You can also learn new recipes at Silver Dollar City’s Culinary & Craft School where a Master Craftsman of Culinary Arts demonstrates favorite recipes and cooking tips and tricks in a state-of-the-art kitchen. A small fee applies for all classes.

A Full Lineup of Southern Gospel Greats!  

The Southern Gospel Picnic features a daily musical celebration filled with great gospel harmonies and soul-stirring melodies from a variety of artists:

HisSong - August 25

The Pfeifers - August 25

Blackwood Brothers Quartet - August 25 - 26

Chuck Wagon Gang - August 25 - 26

Soul’d Out Quartet - August 25 - 26

Tribute Quartet - August 25 - 27

The Harper Family - August 25 - 28

Booth Brothers - August 26

Albert E Brumley Jr. - August 26 - 27

The Browders - August 27

Legacy Five - August 27

The Freemans - August 27 - 28

Gold City - August 27 - 28

Hosea Bilyeu & Family - August 28

Brian Free & Assurance - August 28 - 29

Tim Lovelace - August 28 - 29

The Whisnants - August 28 - 29

Bowling Family - August 29 - 30

The Perrys - August 29 - 30

2nd Generation - August 29 - September 1

The Downing Family - August 29 - September 1

Dixie Echoes - August 29 - September 2

The Hoppers - August 30 - 31

New Horizons - August 31

The Lesters - August 30 - September 1

Mark Trammell Quartet - August 31 - September 1

Reggie & Bridgette Saddler - August 31 - September 1

Down East Boys - September 1 - 2

Karen Peck & New River - September 1 - 2

The Williamsons - September 1 - 3

The Collingsworth Family - September 2 - 3

The Morace Family - September 2 - 3

Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain RR - September 2 - 5

Spoken 4 Quartet - September 2 - 5

Dr. Dennis Swanberg - September 3 - 4

Triumphant Quartet - September 3 - 4

The Diplomats - September 3 - 5

Jeff & Sheri Easter - September 4

Ninth Hour - September 4 - 5

The Isaacs - September 5

The Petersen Family - September 5

Southern Sound - September 5

The Taylors - September 5

Southern Gospel Nights

Let your spirit sing during the Southern Gospel Nights concert series each evening at park closing. Hear your favorite artists as they perform an unforgettable concert at Silver Dollar City’s 4,000-seat Echo Hollow Amphitheater. The show begins at 6 pm each evening during the festival, 7 pm on September 4 & 5. Seating in Echo Hollow Amphitheatre® will begin two hours prior to show time, weather permitting.

Blackwood Brothers Quartet and Chuck Wagon Gang - August 25

Booth Brothers - August 26

Gold City - August 27

Brian Free & Assurance and The Whisnants - August 28

The Bowling Family and The Perrys - August 29

The Hoppers - August 30

Mark Trammell Quartet and Reggie & Bridgette Saddler - August 31

Down East Boys and Karen Peck & New River - September 1

The Collingsworth Family - September 2

Triumphant Quartet - September 3

Jeff & Sheri Easter - September 4

The Isaacs - September 5

mouth watering BBQ.

This year’s Bluegrass festival features a variety of top Bluegrass artists including Rhonda Vincent, a seven time winner of IBMA’s Female Vocalist of the Year; The Grascals, two time winner of IBMA’s Entertainer of the Year and Russell Moore, 2010 IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year, and IIIrd Tyme Out, seven time IBMA Vocal Group of the Year.

While the music fills the air, so too will the scent of delicious BBQ. Tempt your taste buds with everything from Memphis dry rubs and Carolina vinegars to Texas-style BBQ all slow cooked to perfection in a massive wood fired smoker filled with 40,000 pounds of brisket, chicken, ribs and pulled pork.

The Bluegrass entertainment is included with Silver Dollar City admission. The 1880’s themed park offers 30 fun-filled rides and attractions designed to thrill the entire family. You’ll also find dozens of period craftsmen demonstrating their work.

For additional details, go to http://www.silverdollarcity.com/. Or visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/ for information on discount Branson vacation packages and accommodations such as Westgate Branson Woods Resort.

It wouldn’t be Silver Dollar City without a great festival. So let the fun begin.

With a total of six world-class festivals throughout the year, Silver Dollar City offers fun for everyone. You can take a trip around the world without ever leaving the Ozarks during World-Fest. You can celebrate BBQ, Bluegrass and Gospel music. You can experience America’s largest Kidsfest. You can see hundreds of America’s finest craftsmen create amazing works of art. Or you can be dazzled by the Christmas spirit during an Old Time Christmas celebration. It’s all part of Silver Dollar City’s annual run of exceptional festivals.

Of course, every day is a fun-filled adventure at the 1880′s style, award-winning theme park. Silver Dollar City offers 30 rides and attractions for adventure seekers of all ages. You can hop aboard the thrilling “Wildfire,” a multi-looping roller coaster that reaches speeds up to 66 miles per hour. Or check out the new $1 million “Half Dollar Holler,” a ride designed for kids through age 7.

Silver Dollar City also offers some of the best live shows and entertainment available in an area known for its exceptional live entertainment.

Festival season kicks off with World-Fest, April 7 to May 8. 2011. This international event is a colorful and musical celebration of entertainment, food, culture, music and fun that has become a must-see tradition every spring in the Ozarks.

World-Fest features world-class performers and musical artists from around the globe including folk singers, an Irish tenor, steel drum corps from Trinidad and Tobago, stilt dancers, champion fiddlers from Canada, amazing acrobats and more.

World-Fest also features the “Tastes of the World,” a delicious food pavilion providing a taste-tempting selection of international food specialties such as Irish Stew, Chicken Fajitas and Italian Calzone and desserts like Baklava, Tiramisu Torte and Apfel Dumplings served with Cinnamon Ice Cream.

For additional information or tickets to Silver Dollar City or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements, visit www.westgatereservations.com or www.ticket2branson.com.

As part of its annual National Harvest Festival celebration, Silver Dollar City theme park in Branson, MO is hosting a special new exhibit - PBS Craft in America.

The exhibit, developed exclusively for the park, is taken directly from the Peabody-award winning PBS documentary series featuring unique American artists. A total of 50 of America’s top artists will choose their most stunning and unique works of art to be displayed at Silver Dollar City.

Another exciting exhibit is the new Caricature Carvers of America Showcase featuring Silver Dollar City artisans like Peter Engler, Ted Blaylock, Peter Kramer, Lee Robertson, Tom Crain, Gary Dierking and Jesse Barnes. You’ll also find hundreds of visiting Craftsmen demonstrating throughout the park, including Best of Missouri Hands juried artists.

Winner of the “Big-E” award for Best Overall Production in 2009 by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, Headin’ West returns to the Silver Dollar City Opera House stage. Headin’ West is a special 45-minute live musical production that tells the timeless tale of American westward expansion during the 1860s.

Complete with colorful characters, harrowing adventures, a moving musical score, surprising special effects, vivid scenery and talented performers - Headin’ West is Silver Dollar City’s biggest production show ever.  The show, which is free with park admission, runs September 11 - October 24, 2010.

For information about Silver Dollar City tickets and discount Branson vacation packages, visit www.ticket2branson.com or www.westgatereservations.com.

The Branson/Lakes Area offers vacationers an all-encompassing opportunity to experience the finest in family entertainment. From neon to nature, there’s something for everyone. You can hike or bike around sparkling Table Rock Lake, fish a secluded cove in search of trophy bass, tee off at a championship golf course, scream with delight on an exhilarating roller coaster, splash around at the area’s largest water park, or simply sing along with one of the many stars who make live entertainment a fixture in Branson.

Wherever you go in Branson, you can expect good, clean fun.  Branson’s unique commitment to family values ensures that every member of the family can enjoy virtually every activity in town. Branson offers a special opportunity for kids, parents and grandparents to all vacation together.

For information on Branson discount vacation packages and Branson hotel and resort lodging such as Westgate Branson Woods Resort, please visit www.Ticket2Branson.com today.