Friday, April 30, 2010

News anchor conquers fear of heights on new zipline adventure near Branson MO

By Paul Adler, KY3 News
Story Published: Apr 29, 2010 at 7:42 AM CDT

See the video here: http://www.ky3.com/news/local/92405309.html

WALNUT SHADE, Mo. -- A new attraction opens this weekend just north of Branson. It takes you zipping above the tree lines. For some, that sounds like a blast. For KY3 News anchor Maria Neider, it's just downright scary. Here's her experience on the zipline ride.

"Go ahead and step into the harness," guide Robert Cameron instructed.

When you suffer from acrophobia, strapping in for this ride will cause the sweat to break out. Neider has it -- bad.

"Are you nervous?" she was asked.

"Paul, of course, I'm nervous. That's crazy," she replied.

Neider has a severe anxiety about heights.

"Are you going to laugh at Maria?" a reprter asked General Manager Emma Hamilton.

"No, I won't laugh. I've been there too. I totally understand," said Hamilton.

"This is the tether; this connects to the actual zipline and the trolley," said Cameron.

Neider and I planned to test out the new ziplines. Ziplines are wires that you ride. They're some 50, 60, 70 feet in the air, above the trees.

"The helmet is for if something were to fall from above. It's not necessarily because we think you're going to fall," said Hamilton.

"I need that reassurance. That's a good thing," said Neider.

Before we went up, we signed waivers, got some instructions and climbed to the first tower. Neider's knuckles turned white as she got ready.

"We're going to connect you right up here, so move forward," said Hamilton.

"It's my lifeline," said Neider.

As we move closer, Neider looked like she was walking the plank on a pirate ship.

"You'll love it!" said Hamilton.

At the word "Go," I was off and flying. Neider was left standing on the platform with the clock ticking.

"Are you ready?" Hamilton asked.

"Yeah, I'm as ready as I'm going to get, if I can release my white knuckle grip," said Neider.

She finally jumped.

"Oh my god! Whoooooooo! Oh my god!" she said.

"It was totally frightening, letting go. I don't know how you can let go so fast. Oh, it was fun."

"So, you were able to face your fears today?" she was asked.

"I did it. Yes, I did. I do have a fear of heights still, but it was fun. I felt totally secure," said Neider.

The tours range in cost from $40 to $100. It opens Saturday, although the first couple of weeks are sold out, so call ahead or check the Branson Zipline Canopy Tours Web site before you go.

http://www.bransonzipline.com/

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Krissy on Barefoot Mommies blogs about her visit to Branson Mo

My family and I had the most amazing weekend. This was our very first family vacation, I can wish I was kidding, but sadly I’m not.

As most of my readers know we live in Arkansas, North West to be exact. I love it here, it’s a big difference from California where I grew up at.

Have you guys ever been to Branson, MO? If you haven’t you are really missing out on loads of fun! I know that when some people think of Branson, MO they think it’s for the ‘older crowd’. Well times ARE changing and it’s not just for the older crowd, it’s also for the young!
From there we headed to our hotel. Can you say love at first sight??? Ahhh, yes!
Chateau on the Lake! (Read Krissy's entire review of the Chateau on the Lake here http://www.barefootmommies.com/?p=7971)

This hotel is absolutely breathtaking!

The view is absolutely stunning, the rooms were gorgeous! We were able to get a joining room, one with a king size bed and a sofa and the other room with 2 double beds. Each room had a beautiful balcony which you could see the stunning view from. I didn’t want to leave it was absolutely gorgeous
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When we arrived we went straight to our first destination which was the Branson Dinosaur Museum.
This was a lot of fun and my children really enjoyed it. Stay with me as I bring you the full review

In the same building as the Branson’s Dinosaur Museum there was also Haunted in Branson.

My husband and my daughter Alysia went into this one, it’s like a haunted house, very cool! I was outside talking with some very friendly ticket people and I heard my daughter scream, too funny! It’s a live haunted house that you can see anytime of year!

These were tons of fun and they even had a Bounce House inside that my kids just LOVED
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The show we saw was called The Shanghai Circus. They were SO unbelievable and so great! They kept my childrens attention throughout the whole show. It’s acrobats from China. They are in the US doing shows in Branson, MO 9 months out of the year and go home to Shanghai, China 3 months out of the year. I was absolutely stunned at the beauty of the show, the women (and girls, there was one who was only 14!) were beautiful. They were so elegant. And I must say just beautiful beyond words! They all have such an amazing talent, they really had me in ‘awe’.
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We saw the Kirby VanBurch show. It’s a magic show, well illusions as he says it. It’s AMAZING. My kids LOVED this show and what kid doesn’t love magic and illusions!? Kirby VanBurch is a great entertainer and we had a lot of fun and lots of laughs! We were even able to tour the big cats after the show! There was even a lion that looked kinda mad if you ask me lol…But beautiful to say the least! I loved that he included the cats into the show.

Kirby VanBurch, the Prince of Magic and International Award-Winning Magician, has a show packed full of big time production numbers, dancing, hilarious comedy, and HUGE illusions.
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Read the entire story here:
http://www.barefootmommies.com/?p=7959

Monday, April 5, 2010

Like many tourists, movie's Pittsburghers are Branson-bound

Sunday, April 4, 2010, By Carolyn Olson

BRANSON, Mo. -- The romantic comedy "She's Out of My League," which opened last month, shows off Pittsburgh at its best with shots of the city's skyline, bridges and three rivers. But the city of Branson also is mentioned prominently in the movie as a vacation hot spot.

Branson?

Many probably don't even know what state Branson is in, or that 8 million visitors drove or took a plane to the Southwest Missouri town of 7,600 people last year.

So, what makes Branson such a vacation mecca?

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10094/1047458-37.stm?cmpid=newspanel2#ixzz0kEhKvUqy

JEERK - Tap Dancing with Attitude

From the blog: "On the Road with David and Rose"

Crazed and crazy. Boundless energy. Super talented tappers. Five deranged Swedes combine all this and more as JEERK – Rhythm Artist Group. We didn’t have a clue what we were in for when the owners of Branson Shenanigan’s RV Park (where we’re work camping) invited us to join them last night. We heard something about Swedish guys and tap dancing. Read the rest at the blog here: http://davidandrose.com/2010/04/04/jeerk-%E2%80%93-tap-dancing-with-an-attitude

Friday, April 2, 2010

Branson's 3rd Annual "Springtastic Show Spree"

Branson, MO – (Monday, March 22, 2010) – Branson, Missouri’s Springtastic Show Spree is the week for show lovers to converge on this small Midwestern town, known as the “live music show capital of the world”. During this one extraordinary week visitors enjoy ten of the top shows in Branson, Missouri for just one hundred and twenty-five dollars.

Sponsored by The League of Branson Theatre Owners and Show Producers (The Branson Show League), the Springtastic Show Spree gives visitors the chance to sample a variety of Branson’s eclectic shows. “Shows, shows, and more shows, for just a fraction of their normal cost.” says popular ventriloquist Jim Barber of the Hamner Barber Variety Show and Theater. The 3rd annual Springtastic Show Spree begins April 12 and runs through April 18, 2010.

Springtastic Show Spree passes are for sale only on-line at the official website of The Branson Show League, ShowsInBranson.com, and are limited to purchase by individuals. Jim Stafford, famous comedian and nationally known recording star, believes this is “hands down the greatest show ticket value you will see all year in Branson.”

The Springtastic Show Spree pass allows fans to see ten of their favorite shows in Branson on a first come, first served basis during the week of April 12. Shows include productions such as Moe Bandy, Pierce Arrow, Hughes Brothers Show, Clay Cooper Country Music Express, Legends in Concert, Baldknobbers Jamboree, New Shanghai Circus, The Haygoods, Magnificent Variety Show, Grand Jubilee, Mike Walker & Friends, Brule’, Penny Gilley, Kirby VanBurch, Country Tonight featuring Marty Haggard, and many more. For a complete list visit ShowsInBranson.com and click on Springtastic Show Spree.

Much to the approval of the estimated eight plus million visitors who converge each year on this Ozark Mountain town of little more than 6,000 residents, Branson's stars can be spotted each morning, afternoon and well into the evening in almost every type of live theatrical performance imaginable. Pop, gospel, blues, rock 'n' roll, western, acrobats, magic, Cajun, swing, big band, Motown, and Broadway have become as important to Branson visitors as its country and comedy roots. “The ten shows visitors will see during the Springtastic Show Spree amount to less than 10% of the possible live shows you can currently enjoy in Branson,” “says Jason Hughes from the Hughes Brothers Show. “This special preview week will whet your appetite to come back again and again to enjoy the variety of ALL of the shows the town has to offer.” Dawn Easton owner of God and Country Theatre adds, “If you see your first ten shows during the Springtastic Show Spree, you’ll have to come back more than ten times just to see all the shows in Branson once.”

The limited amount of Springtastic Show passes are available only through April 8 or when the passes sell out, whichever comes first. “If you are a live show fan, a music lover of any sort, the Springtastic Show Spree is the ticket for you.” says the Buck Trent, 2-time CMA Instrumentalist of the Year and star of his own country music show. To find out more about the 3rd Annual Springtastic Show Spree in Branson, Missouri visit ShowsInBranson.com.

About The League of Branson Theatre Owners and Show Producers
The Branson Show League works to increase the success and well-being of the theatrical industry in the “Live Show Capital of the World”, Branson, Missouri. With over 100 live shows featuring music, comedy, magic, dancing, acrobats, theatrical plays, and more, the diversity and variety of choices of live shows make Branson a unique and fun-filled family vacation destination. The League strives to increase interest in Branson shows and show attendance, increase profitability for the Branson show community, and to promote communications between shows, as well as throughout the Branson community. In 2010, Branson is Celebrating 50 Years of Family Fun!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Branson Zipline & Canopy Tours Announces New Flying Prospector Canopy Tour


Branson, MO – (Thursday, March 18, 2010) – Branson Zipline & Canopy Tours at Wolfe Creek Preserve has added the Flying Prospector Canopy Tour to its line-up of authentic eco-adventures. Designed for all ages, this one-and-a-half hour canopy tour has visitors soaring through the trees over multiple ziplines and skywalks on a breathtaking tour of the Ozark Mountains.

“Our Flying Prospector is a great introduction for visitors new to canopy tours. At an hour and a half, the Flying Prospector is a full-scale guided, canopy tour with many of the highlights of Wolfe Creek Preserve featured, providing guests with another exciting, memorable vacation experience for one of the best values in the industry,” says Emma Hamilton, general manager. “We have created a high-quality, low-impact adventure, which takes a shorter amount of time, allowing visitors to dip their toes into the world of eco-adventures and find out just how much fun this unique experience can be.”

As an added value, this tour offers a family pass. Families wanting to go on a canopy tour together can take advantage of the Branson Zipline & Canopy Tours special pricing for the Flying Prospector. “We’re pleased to offer a family-pass exclusively for the Flying Prospector. The pass is $199.99 for two adults and two children seventeen and under,” adds Hamilton.

“With the addition of the Flying Prospector, we’re now offering visitors three different ways to soar above it all,” explains Emma Hamilton. “Each of our eco-adventures is designed to give Branson visitors the opportunity to experience an authentic canopy tour on one of the best courses ever built.” Along with the hour-and-a-half Flying Prospector, Branson Zipline & Canopy Tours offers the thrilling Blue Streak Fast Line, a non-stop, single-line zip from the top of the mountain to the bottom platform, complete with a very surprising dismount.

The premiere experience offered by Branson Zipline, the Ozarks Xplorer Canopy Tour, is an inclusive, interactive two-and-a-half hour guided tour that takes visitors over suspension bridges, platforms and multiple ziplines, allowing time to explore the features of the region and discover the secrets of Wolfe Creek Preserve. Guests will enjoy the pristine beauty of the Ozark Mountains from the unique perspective of gliding through the canopy of trees, past rugged bluffs, and above the forest floor, accompanied by guides, who share topographical and ecological insights while bringing to life the history of Wolfe Creek Preserve.

Branson Zipline & Canopy Tour at Wolfe Creek Preserve, opening May 1, is located on US Hwy 65, just seven miles north of Branson shows, theaters, and attractions. Tours are being booked now at www.BransonZipline.com or by calling 417-561-2500.

About Branson Zipline & Canopy Tours at Wolfe Creek Preserve
Branson Zipline & Canopy Tours at Wolfe Creek Preserve offers visitors of all ages an exciting eco-adventure in the Ozark Mountains. The range of thrilling options include the two-and-a-half-hour Ozarks Xplorer Canopy Tour, an inclusive guided trek across numerous ziplines, platforms and walkways; the one-and-a-half-hour Flying Prospector, a shorter guided trek across multiple ziplines, platforms and walkways; and the Blue Streak Fast Line, a thrilling zip that stretches from the top of the mountain to the base of the property. Each adventure includes information about topographical, ecological and historical features. Branson Zipline is a unique and family-friendly compliment to Branson's existing vacation opportunities. Branson Zipline & Canopy Tours is a member of the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT). The course, inspection and training are designed and constructed to meet or exceed ACCT standards.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

FLW Tour's bass tourney brings thousands to Branson

Jess Rollins • News-Leader • March 7, 2010

More than 13,000 people packed into the Branson Convention Center for the all-day event preceding the weigh-in ceremony. Toddlers caught fish in a tiny tank while pros discussed lures with eager hobbyists. Vendors peddled rods and reels and spinners and swimmers and spoons. Country singer Moe Bandy sang the national anthem before a 15-foot blimp, shaped like a fish, floated around the room.

One by one, anglers grabbed their catches by the gills and held them up to the crowd.
There were gasps and cheers as the bass hit the scales and the weight was announced and recorded.

Find the whole story here:
http://www.news-leader.com/article/20100307/NEWS01/3070347/FLW-Tour-s-bass-tourney-brings-thousands-to-Branson