Stars Shine at Chateau on the Lake

Guests danced and feasted at the Party With The Stars event held at Chateau on the Lake Resort and Spa last weekend.

By Joshua Clark — Branson Tri-Lakes News Posted: Saturday, October 10, 2009

Last week, the League of Branson Theatre Owners and Show Producers, along with sponsors the Branson Tourism Center, Branson.com, and Best Buy hosted their first ever “Party With The Stars” event. Held at Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa, this event allowed Branson entertainers, theater owners, musicians and anyone who works in the business to mingle with area residents.

“Yakov Sm-irnoff asked me if we could do one every month,” Cindy Merry, marketing team chair of the Branson theatre league, said.

“Everyone just seemed to have a great time. I loved it. I had a blast.”

As guests arrived, they walked a red carpet, complete with photographers, a television camera from the Vacation Channel and Branson’s very own Joan Rivers, portrayed by Terry Sanders.

“He makes me so mad because he has the best set of legs,” Merry said. “But he donated his own time and worked the red carpet, making everyone feel like a star.”

Unbeknownst to the interviewees, the entire red carpet entries were broadcast on a large television inside the event. That way, everyone inside could see the parade of stars.

“That was really neat, and the Vacation Channel donated their time and equipment, as well.” Merry said.

Once inside, guests were treated to dining and dancing, a silent auction and the chance to play the new “Rock Band: The Beatles” game on a big screen television, which was donated by Best Buy in Branson.

As the evening grew later, the stars began to arrive after finishing off their evening shows. Jim Stafford, Yakov Smirnoff, Paul Revere, Bill and McKenna Medley, Doug Gabriel and his family, members of the Platters, the Liverpool Legends, Legends in Concert, Mike Walker, The Haygoods, Six and the Hughes Brothers were just a few of the many stars who showed up to party.

Mayor Reanne Presley presented a key to the city to the Mabe family in honor of 50 years entertaining Ozark Mountain Country residents. After the presentation, singing impressionist Mike Walker did his rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” while everyone hit the dance floor.

“I was out there doing the electric slide while my son was doing a moonwalk,” Merry said. “Those are the types of things that we usually don’t get to share with members of the community.”

One major factor to the evening was the fact that area entertainers came out and supported the event.

“They really came out in force,” Merry said. “It was great to see them signing autographs and talking to the fans in attendance. We really needed a night like this.”

I could not agree more.

For the past several years it seems like the fact that this is such a small community has been lost in the everyday shuffle of life. Many theater owners and show producers who have done “hit and run” shows to make a quick buck before getting out of town are becoming a thing of the past. With the current economic climate and the state of things being unsure, it is nice to see a group of people who have been in town such a long time giving the people who make Branson go ‘round, the workers and residents, an opportunity to take part in an event like this.

“I grew up here, and this reminded me of the old days where everyone was family,” Merry said. “You know, that community feeling that everyone is working together to make this town the special place that it is.”