There is big news in Branson as Ride The Ducks opens a second Quack-tacular adventure with another choice for this fun-filled amphibious sightseeing tour. Now, the New Branson Landing Adventure is ready to take guests on a 60-minute tour that rides through historic Downtown Branson and then splashes into Lake Taneycomo to cruise the lake. This new adventure departs from the duck dock at Branson Landing’s Neighborhood District near the Arvest Bank.

Of course, the ever-popular Classic Table Rock Lake Adventure is continuing and this 70-minute adventure includes Country Music Blvd., home to the Branson shows, Baird Mountain with fantastic views of the Ozarks and then a splashdown into Table Rock Lake for a cruise. This adventure departs from the duck dock at 2320 Country Music Blvd., just west of Wal-mart.

Ride The Ducks, the nation’s largest amphibious sightseeing company, offers the most unique land and water adventure that is fun, informative and engaging. It’s the best way for families to enjoy Branson because there is a combination of fun and music with history and sights.

The captains add to the tour experience as they entertain guests with interesting facts of the city. Besides sharing information, guests enjoy the music that’s played on the Ducks and the captain’s funny stories and jokes. The captains are licensed by the United States Coast Guard, and have a natural love of Branson and the Ozarks that shines through in their presentation and humor. Also included in every tour is the famous Wacky Quackerstm (the duck-bill whistle) that is sure to capture the attention of the people on the street.

Aaron Newberry, Ride The Ducks’ Branson general manager, says, “We are excited about the opportunities we offer residents and visitors to explore a second Ride The Ducks adventure in Branson. With so many requests from our guests to expand our Duck tours, we created this new tour to meet their demands. Our family friendly tours only get better from year to year as we continue to keep everyone of all ages entertained and educated about this amazing area”.

The Ride The Ducks amphibious vehicle is based on the famous WWII DUKW amphibious design. Today, we build our vehicles from the ground up using the latest in marine design and safety. The vehicles are United States Coast Guard certified and tested regularly to ensure a safe and comfortable tour for our guests.

Ride The Ducks International, the largest amphibious sightseeing company in America, has entertained millions of guests in the United States since the early 1970’s. Ride The Ducks has wholly owned operations in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Branson and Memphis and licensed operators in Seattle and Stone Mountain Park, Georgia. Ride The Ducks International is a subsidiary of Herschend Family Entertainment (HFE). HFE owns numerous entertainment venues, including Silver Dollar City theme park, Showboat Branson Belle, and Celebration City in Branson, MO.

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Darren Romeo returned to Branson’s Welk Resort Theatre after visiting the set of the much-anticipated Disney Channel movie, “High School Musical 2: Sing It All or Nothing!” Romeo was invited to do a cameo in the movie during his April 8-15 weeklong hiatus from Branson. In the movie he plays a parody of himself, “The Great Roman Dario,” whose magic gets out of control.

“High School Musical 2” is scheduled for broadcast on August 17, 2007 as part of Disney’s So Hot Summer. It is the sequel to “High School Musical,” which broke more records than any other movie in 2006 and was seen by more the 100 million people. The movie has won numerous awards including Emmy awards for Outstanding Children’s Program and Outstanding Choreography.

“It was so great to be a part of this iconic Disney movie. I was supposed to observe rather than be a part of it,” said Romeo. Kenny Ortega, Romeo’s long-time friend, directed both High School Musical 1 and 2 and invited Romeo to appear in HSM2. “I watched the screening of the first movie with Kenny, Siegfried and the stars of the movie…before they were stars! Now, these talented kids are superstars. They work hard and they deserve it,” said Romeo.

On the set, Darren would often gather the cast and perform his own mind-blowing close-up magic just for fun when the cameras weren’t rolling.

“It was an honor to have Siegfried & Roy’s protégé’ do a cameo in my movie,” said Ortega. “Darren Romeo is one of the most talented men in show business. We had great fun!” Mr. Ortega was originally brought in to consult and direct Darren at the Mirage in Las Vegas and also came to Branson to launch the show.

Darren is donating his salary to the local chapter of the Make A Wish Foundation.

“Siegfried & Roy present, Darren Romeo” performs nightly at the Welk Resort in Branson, MO at 8 p.m. through September 3.

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The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB is responding to increasing gas prices by offering visitors to Branson a Gas Buster discount card, accepted at dozens of live shows, area attractions, lodging properties, retail shops and restaurants, worth a total of $50 off purchases, as well as a chance to win a grand prize getaway to Branson.

Between May 1 and Oct. 31, 2007, The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB will give a Gas Buster discount card to anyone who presents a valid drivers’ license and a minimum of $40 in gas receipts incurred within 48 hours of their arrival at one of the Chamber’s two Welcome Centers, located at the intersections of U.S. Highway 65 and Missouri Highway 248, and at Hwy. 65 and Missouri Highway 160 in Branson. Gas Buster card holders are automatically entered to win the grand prize 4-day/3-night vacation for four to Branson, which will be awarded on October 31, 2007.

“By offering the Gas Buster discount card to our visitors, we are letting them know that we value their business. And Branson businesses are willing to work together to defray the cost of gas so our visitors can afford to do all the things they would like to do while they are here,” according to Ross Summers, president and CEO of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB. “Most of the visitors that vacation in Branson drive into town. The Gas Buster program will help bring more people, especially more of our regional neighbors coming in for a weekend getaway. Branson’s location, within a day’s drive of roughly one-third of our country’s population, makes us very accessible to families looking for theme parks, outdoor and lakes recreation, along with shopping and world-class entertainment.”

Gas Buster discount cards and the list of participating sponsors will only be issued from the two Chamber/CVB Welcome Centers. Business hours are 8am to 5pm, Mondays through Saturdays, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays. The Gas Buster promotion runs from May 1 through Oct. 31, 2007.

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RFD-TV announced today that it will record and air all performances from the 2007 BransonFest in a new, weekly one-hour prime time television show, BransonFest, beginning in May.

Each show will feature 4 or 5 of the individual performances performed on the Welk Resort Theatre stage, and will air three times each week on RFD-TV premiering at 9pm on Friday evening, with repeats scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 4pm, and again Monday at 1pm (all times Eastern). RFD-TV is currently seen in over 30 million homes in all 50 states on DIRECTV (channel 379), DISH Network (channel 231), and numerous cable systems including Mediacom, Charter, Bresnan, NCTC, and locally in Branson on Suddenlink (channel 4).

“This will be a tremendous opportunity for viewers across the nation to see for themselves a sample of the outstanding talent performing in Branson for the 2007 season,” stated Patrick Gottsch, Founder & President of RFD-TV. “We believe that once these viewers see BransonFest, they will want to travel to Branson to see these shows and attractions for themselves in the coming year. Again, this is a great example of why RFD-TV recently moved to Branson, as this new production is sure to be a big hit with our audience.”

BransonFest and Branson Theatre Showcase are sponsored on RFD-TV in part by the Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau. In addition, the Welk Resort Theatre, Presley Theatre, and Silver Dollar City run commercial spots in the programming to promote their own attractions.

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A sneak preview of what visitors to Branson can expect to see at the brand new Sight & Sound Theatre, opening in 2008, will be performed on Friday, April 13, during BransonFest at the Welk Resort Theatre. A scene from “Noah – the Musical,” the spectacular production about the ark-building patriarch who trusted God amidst the great flood, will be performed by Karen Knight as Noah’s wife (named Emuwnah and pronounced ee-MOO-nah) and Jon Sneed, an Ozarks’ native excited about returning to the area, who plays Noah.

Presented on Sight & Sound’s 300-foot-long wraparound stage, “Noah – the Musical” will feature a four-story ark that surrounds the audience, along with over 80 live animals, more than 50 animatronic animals and a professional cast of about 50. Story, song, and spectacular staging bring each of Sight & Sound Theatres’ epic shows to life. The dozens of professional actors attired in elaborate costumes, meticulously detailed sets towering up to 40 feet high, trained animals, unmatched special effects, and beautifully memorable music will inspire guests seeing it for the first time in Branson next year. More than one million people have seen the show at Sight & Sound’s Pennsylvania location.

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It’s a little-known fact that each year proceeds from BransonFest go toward assisting many people in our community that need help. One of the key concepts that originated some 15 years ago in planning for BransonFest was the desire to help support local charities. Over the last five years, $80,531.03 has been contributed to Habitat for Humanity and Mountain Country Homes of Hope. Many more in our area are helped with monies raised at BransonFest by the Kiwanis, Taney County Library volunteers and the Branson Arts Council. New this year is an opportunity to partner with Christian Action Ministries (CAM) and attend opening night, which is also Local Appreciation Night, at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10. For residents of Taney and Stone Counties, just $15 and two food items is your admission. In addition to getting a discounted ticket, you can feel good about adding to the pantry at CAM and participating in the food drive. CAM Executive Director Joan Westfall notes, “We presently have a wonderful supply of vegetables, but could really use some peanut butter and jelly. We are so blessed by the generosity of the people of Branson.”

Selected as one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association, BransonFest 2007 is slated for April 10-14 at the Welk Resort Theatre. You’ll enjoy world-class performances, sample genuine Ozarks cuisine, and be able to see and buy wares from local artisans and craftsmen. The Welk Resort Theatre has daily showcase concerts featuring 10 Branson shows and some of the best entertainment in town, including Pam Tillis, Yakov Smirnoff, Les Brown & His Band of Renown, The Gatlin Brothers, Jim Stafford, Mickey Gilley, The Lennon Sisters, Darren Romeo, Clay Cooper, Best of Motown and many more. The talent overflows into the outside tent with a variety of free performances by local and regional entertainers.

The Expo area offers dozens of booths featuring contests, giveaways, show information and autograph sessions with some of Branson’s most popular stars and performers. You can get a Taste of Branson in the food tent with samples of traditional Ozarks’ cuisine and lots of good eats from Branson’s finest restaurants. Visitors will also have the opportunity to observe the work of nationally recognized Branson artists, authors and musicians in the Arts, Culture and Heritage tent.

BransonFest 2007 runs daily, April 10-14. Free outdoor tent activities are noon to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10; and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, April 11-13 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 14. Daily concerts in the Welk Resort Theatre are at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 10; and at 2 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, April 11-14. The Welk Resort Theatre is located on State Hwy 165 in Branson.

BransonFest 2007 is sponsored by the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. As one of the country’s leading tourism destinations, Branson offers visitors of all ages a wide variety of entertainment throughout the year. Someone you love is always playing in Branson.

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