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

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Acrobats of China honored with International Award

October 23 by Joshua Clark, Entertainment writer for Branson Tri-Lakes Newspaper

Despite the wet, overcast day Thursday, the sun seemed to be shining brightly over the New Shanghai Theatre as the New Shanghai Circus received several local dignitaries, as well as some from China, as it was presented with a rare honor.

“The reason I came here today is to honor the New Shanghai Circus as an International Foundation of Chinese Cultural Entertainment,” Jin Lin, president of the Acrobats Association, said through an interpreter. “To the Chinese people, this is a very amazing honor.”

This honor is so special, just the fact it was presented on American soil says something about the relationship between China and the United States.

“This team has made a great contribution to our Chinese culture,” Lin said. “They have brought our heritage to many American people, which helps not only show our culture, but build our relationships. Our continued success relies on the people of Taney County, the Chamber of Commerce and members of the media.”

Lin also spoke of the importance of having a good relationship between two important countries.

“After several years of heightened relationships, now the Chinese and American people have a very decent friendship,” Lin said. “You can buy all products made in China in the United States, and in China, we see McDonald’s, Coca-Cola and Kentucky Fried Chicken everywhere.”

The Chinese people believe that sharing their culture and heritage with the rest of the world will bring people closer together.

“It is really unusual for a Chinese businessman to come to America, start a corporation and be able to compete in a market such as Branson,” Cindy Merry said. “This event is being featured on newspapers and television shows all over China. This is really a big deal.”

In addition to Lin, Western Taney County Commissioner Jim Strafuss also presented the theater with a resolution from the county that he presented with the help of his daughter, Liberty, who he adopted from China in 2004.

“The Chinese culture is very near and dear to my heart,” Strafuss said. “The theater and this association has a lot of community involvement, including the Adopted Chinese Children Association, and we are very honored they chose Taney County for their home base to showcase these acrobats.”

Jerry Adams, Branson public information director, was also on hand to honor the guests.

“It is an honor to have all these dignitaries from China here in Branson,” Adams said. “Having this show here really expands what Branson has to offer to the millions of tourists that visit our community. Plus, it gives the area such a great international flare.”

The New Shanghai Circus will also be an integral part of a 2010 promotion called “See the World in Branson.” More details on the promotion as they become available.

“I think that this is all just great,” Merry said. “They add something really different to Branson.”

The New Shanghai Circus performs shows at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 8 p.m. shows on Sundays. For additional information, visit acrobatsofchina.com, or call 417-336-8888.

Is Branson's Buck Trent show "It?" - "Oh Yeah!"

October 22nd, 2009 by Gary J. Groman

“Oh yeah,” the Buck Trent show is one entertaining, lively and exciting way to start a day in Branson. From start to finish, this show is quality non-stop comedy, singing and music presented by some of the most talented singers and musicians in Branson.

Obviously, this show has a star, Buck Trent, who lives up to his billing as a “premier international five string banjo picker, master musician, hilarious humorist, and entertainer extraordinaire,” but from an audience entertainment perspective it’s the way those talents are blended in with the rest of the cast that helps make the show so special. The singing provided by Kenny Parrott and Melody Hart along with their instrumental playing, Parrott on the guitar, Hart on the fiddle and mandolin; Rob Blackwood, drums; Dave Clark, bass guitar; Bruce Hoffman, steel guitar and fiddle and Jonathan Black on the piano and saxophone combine with Buck to provide two of the fastest and most entertaining hours in Branson morning, noon or night!

Click here to read the rest of the story: http://news.bucktrent.com/2009/10/is-bransons-buck-trent-show-it-oh-yeah.html

What do the New Shanghai Circus and the Baldknobbers have in common?

October 23rd, 2009 by Gary J. Groman

On October 22, the “New Shanghai Circus,” founded in Shanghai, China by Mr. Lizhi Zhao in 1991, received a plaque of recognition from Mr. Jian Lin, President of the Chinese Acrobats Association (CAA), honoring the “New Shanghai Circus” for sharing Chinese talent, entertainment and culture with the United States and other nations. What’s remarkable is that the award was presented to Mr. Zhao, not in Shanghai, China, but over 7,254 miles away in Branson, Missouri.

Even more remarkable is the fact that the award was presented to Mr. Zhao, and other representatives of the “New Shanghai Circus,” in the “New Shanghai Circus Theatre” built in Branson specifically to accommodate the performances of one of Branson’ s most unique and beautiful shows, “The Acrobats of China.” Some might ask, “What’s a Chinese acrobatic show doing in Branson, Missouri where the Baldknobbers country music and comedy show started it all 50 years ago?” The answer is, “Doing the same thing the Baldknobbers did, and are still doing 50 years later, providing Branson visitors with a quality entertainment experience.”

What an evolution has taken place since the first Baldknobbers show. The Branson show scene has grown and expanded to the point where, from comedy to outdoor drama and music from country to opera, the Branson entertainment experience has a high quality show available for just about every taste. Thanks the visionary and persistent efforts of Mr. Zhao and his business associates, since 1998 that experience has included the excitement, strength, grace, and beauty of Chinese acrobatics entertaining Branson audiences as the “The Acrobats of China” shares the incredible talents of its cast and their culture with Branson and the world.

Pictured below at the CAA recognition ceremony October 22, 2009, left to right are: Ms. Xu Ying, shareholder and Artistic Director; Mr. Lizhi Zhao, President and shareholder, Jerry Adams, Public Information Director City of Branson; Jim Strafus, Western District Taney County Commissioner; Mr. Jian Lin, President of the Chinese Acrobats Association; Mr. Ziqian Tan, shareholder and Mr. Jianhua Gu, shareholder.


In an effort to enhance the Branson experience through a “bit” of information about the area we love and service, BTC Branson Bits is sponsored by the Branson Tourism Center (BTC). BTC is one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services and sellers of Branson show and attraction tickets and lodging. BTC can be reached by calling 800-875-1550 or by visiting their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.
Branson Things To Do

Friday, October 16, 2009

Dino's Christmas Show in Branson at Yakov's Theatre

Dino's Christmas Show will appear at Yakov's Theatre in Branson from November 2 through December 12. Shows are at 2 and 8pm with 3 special 9:30am appearances.