Variety and diversity provide ideal entertainment experience!

Branson is a truly exhilarating family entertainment experience all year long. The Hot Winter Fun months of January, February, and March offer guests more than 20 shows to choose from with more than 50 show times each week. From 50’s music to swing, comedy to country, magic to musical icons, guests can have it all during Hot Winter Fun. Branson is home to nationally-known entertainers, production shows, museums, dozens of shops, fine dining, and world-class attractions. Plus, in Branson, guests can take advantage of 10 championship golf courses, three pristine lakes and over 100,000-acres of private and government parks and recreation areas all within minutes of the bright-lights of town. So, no matter what your definition of family fun and entertainment, the Branson/Lakes Area delivers it all in great style, all year long.

There’s more to do and see in the Branson area this winter than ever before. Many area shows and attractions have teamed up with the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Convention and Convention & Visitors Bureau to get the word out that they are open during January, February and March.

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Sight & Sound Theatres® is planning to establish an additional theatre location, to be built in Branson, Missouri. The project would include constructing a duplicate of the company’s Millennium Theatre® in Branson, where Sight & Sound is in the process of acquiring 50 acres of land. The company’s current corporate offices in Strasburg would remain the corporate headquarters, and all Sight & Sound operations in Lancaster County would continue as usual. Contingent on final approval of the project, the targeted opening date for the Branson theatre is June 2008.

Sight & Sound Theatres has been described in many ways: “the largest faith-based live theatre in America,” “the Christian Broadway,” “one of the top three theatre destinations on the East Coast” . . . and the list goes on. Each year, about 800,000 people come from across the country and around the world to experience a production at one of Sight & Sound’s two theatres in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

The company’s purpose is to visualize and dramatize the Bible through live stage productions, illustrating truth in the same way that Jesus did, by storytelling. Sight & Sound’s original musical theatre productions are characterized by the spectacular. Most shows feature a professional cast of more than 50, elaborate sets towering up to 40 feet high, hundreds of costumes, and trained animals ranging from camels and horses to dogs and flight-trained birds. Spectacular special effects permeate the shows and include set pieces that rise up through the stage floor, 3D video imaging, pyrotechnics, and artistic lighting effects including lasers. The company’s two theatres are the 2,000-seat Millennium Theatre and the 650-seat Living Waters Theatre, the company’s original location.

Prominent shows at the Theatres have included Noah-The Musical, Abraham & Sarah-A Journey of Love, and Daniel-A Dream, A Den, A Deliverer. Two new shows premiering in 2005 are Ruth, which opens May 21, 2005 at Millennium Theatre, and Psalms of David, opening June 18, 2005 at Living Waters Theatre. Leading off the 2005 season is the Easter spectacular, Behold the Lamb (March 5 – April 9, 2005), a perennial favorite to which new songs and additional special effects were recently added. The 2005 season concludes with Miracle of Christmas (November 12, 2005 – January 7, 2006), which recreates the world into which Jesus was born and concludes in a stunning Nativity scene featuring flying angels, three camels, majestically-costumed wise men and elaborate special effects.

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Dozens of shops, restaurants stay open during January, February, March.

Branson is a shopper’s paradise and during the winter months, prices at outlet shops, gift boutiques, antique stores, arts and crafts studios, and name brand chains are the lowest of the year. During Hot Winter Fun, January through March, shoppers in Branson will find dozens of stores open seven days a week offering great deals on name brand clothing, house wares, electronics, home décor, gourmet food, jewelry, furniture, novelty gift items and hand-crafted art.

Merchants in the Branson area want shoppers and diners to know they’re open this time of year, so many of them have joined forces with the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Convention and Convention & Visitors Bureau to get the word out by participating in special events, advertising and other promotional activities.

Branson’s three outlet malls offer guests name brand merchandise at discounts of 25-65% off regular retail prices. All three malls are open seven days a week. Tanger Outlet Center features stores such as Bombay Gift Outlet, Mikasa, Old Navy, Dress Barn and many more. In 2005, shoppers have the added advantage of convenient Monday through Saturday hours of 9a.m. to 9p.m. and Sunday hours of 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Tanger.

Engler Block is an ideal destination for shoppers looking for one-of-a-kind hand-made items. Visitors can even watch craftsmen blow glass, paint or carve wood right on site. Engler Block features several shops all under one roof, including a restaurant.

No trip to Branson is complete without a visit to the historic downtown area. Be sure to visit Dick’s Old Time 5 & 10. It’s a trip back in time at this popular shopping destination filled with a variety of items you haven’t seen since you were a kid.

At Alaska Down South, shoppers will find Alaskan and African art, décor, jewelry, furniture and textiles. Many of the items are hand-made, one-of-a-kind heirloom-quality.

Artists and woodworking hobbyists can find a wide-range of raw materials at Art & Woodcrafters Supply. Shop for numerous wood patterns, paints, tools and more. The knowledgeable staff is there to help bring your ideas to life.

Whether you’re a novice photographer eager to see those vacation photos, or an experienced professional, Flash Photo, located on Highway 76 has the supplies, equipment and staff to help with your one hour processing, framing and equipment needs.

The Branson Wal-Mart is conveniently located on the Hwy. 76 Strip adjacent to the Branson Mall and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

While you’re shopping, enjoy a meal at one of Branson’s great restaurants or eateries to relax and refuel for the next round. From fine dining to fast food, Branson boasts a wide variety of choices, even during the winter months.

Start off your day with a mouth-watering Krispy Kreme donut. Located on the Strip, near Tanger Outlet Center, Krispy Kreme opened in 2004 and has quickly become a local hot spot.

Enjoy a great breakfast, lunch or dinner buffet at Branson’s Golden Corral, the largest one in the world!

For family fun, don’t miss the new Playtime Pizza, which opened in 2004, and features great games and activities for kids of all ages. Located on Gretna Road, between Branson’s three outlet malls, Playtime Pizza is an excellent choice for birthday parties, and other special events.

Branson has a great mix of cuisine styles to choose from at places like Pasta House, Lone Star Steak House, California Bar & Grill, Bob Evans, Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen, McFarlain’s Family Restaurant, Candlestick Inn, B.T. Bones and Rib Crib. The atmosphere and service are fantastic and with all the calories you burn shopping, you’ll definitely want to order dessert!

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