Folks who visit Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede during the Christmas season will be amazed by the unbelievable transformation. Opening Wednesday, October 24th, Christmas at Dixie Stampede converts the dinner and show into a beautiful holiday spectacular. From the festive show theme and the full-scale live nativity scene including camels, donkeys and sheep to the gorgeous decorations throughout the building and the warmth of traditional holiday music.

Back by popular demand this year, Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show adds a touch of grace to the holidays with a special performance by professional Adagio ice skaters, Alicia Cavanaugh & Michal Przyk.

Alicia is a USA triple gold medalist (singles, pairs & moves-in-the-field) and was a US National team member in 2001. She accepted her first professional contract in 2002 and since then Alicia has performed as a principal soloist around the world including shows such as Holiday on Ice, Festival on Ice and on board the Royal Caribbean Cruise line ships to name a few. Michal (known as Mikki) is from Poland and was a Polish National Dance competitor for several years. Mikki also toured with Holiday on Ice as a dance pair soloist and has also been featured in productions in the USA, Germany and throughout Eastern Western Europe. Combined, their style, grace and strength are becoming well known throughout the professional skating world. Alicia’s and Mikki’s goals for the future include seeing the world and entertaining audiences together for years to come!

“We wanted to give families more joyful entertainment during the Christmas season,” says owner, Dolly Parton. “The special effects like the ice skaters and live nativity scene really bring the holiday season to life. I can’t wait for folks to experience this year’s Christmas show – it’s going to be great.”

Christmas at Dixie features a seasonal twist with a friendly rivalry between the North and South Poles full of equestrian feats, graceful riders, and audience participation games like wreath tossing and a stick reindeer race. The 90-minute production is highlighted with ice skaters descending from the ceiling on a specially designed skating platform and gliding under the stars to a brisk holiday soundtrack.

Celebrating the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus is brought to life with Mary, Joseph, the wise men, and a living nativity of live camels, donkeys, and sheep. In addition, Santa himself makes an appearance in his sleigh, as Dixie’s 1100-seat arena is transformed into a winter wonderland of fresh fallen snow.

Christmas at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede is complimented by a holiday feast of a whole rotisserie chicken, hickory smoked barbecue pork loin, herb-basted potato, buttery corn on the cob, creamy vegetable soup, homemade biscuit, and an apple turnover for dessert.

Christmas at Dixie Stampede runs October 24th, 2006 through December 31st, 2007. One ticket price includes the Carriage Room pre-show, the main arena Christmas At Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show and a collector series Souvenir Boot Mug with a speciality soft drink.

Comments Off on Dixie Stampede Christmas Comes Early to Branson

Branson, Missouri just keeps growing. Already recognized by national publications and travel associations as a premier place to celebrate the Christmas holidays, America’s hometown entertainment capital is aglow with the spirit of the season, unveiling its biggest Christmas ever. The World’s Largest Titanic Museum Attraction, the trendy Branson Landing shopping-and-dining waterfront destination, Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater, the Music of Mannheim Steamroller and more will celebrate their first Christmas in Branson.

From the star-filled Christmas shows on the famous Branson Strip and surrounding area to a glittering array of dramatic, animated lighting displays such as the luminous 2-mile Branson Area Festival of Lights Drive-Through, Ozark Mountain Christmas transforms America’s live entertainment capital into a holiday oasis, November 1 through December 31.

Star performers, special effects and elaborate holiday production numbers are set to dazzle visitors and their families over this two-month period. From the famed “Mr. Christmas” Andy Williams to the debut of the multimedia extravaganza of The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller at The Grand Palace, a multitude of shows haul out the holly with the holiday’s finest talent. Music fills the air with Branson family shows from the Presleys to the Hughes Brothers and the sounds of laughter roll through the aisles from Jim Stafford’s show to Yakov’s. From the Lennon Sisters with the Gatlin Brothers to Righteous Brothers’ Bill Medley with Paul Revere & the Raiders, Branson creates musical presents and one-of-a-kind holiday fun!

Silver Dollar City, an internationally-awarded theme park, decks its streets with millions of lights and a holiday light parade of wondrous floats and animated characters. This year, the acclaimed Dickens’ Christmas Carol presents an all-new scene in the special effects show said to be one of the best productions ever in the history of the park. Plus holiday food, music and rides, including roller coasters, are open after dark for the thrill of the lights from above.

Also, for the first time, the much-celebrated Titanic Museum Attraction will be decorated with hundreds of merry lights and holiday trim that recall Christmases past. Traditional bows of holly and mistletoe will line the elegant Grand Staircase and passageways and music of the season will fill the air.

Visitors can discover Branson’s “Winter WonderLanding” at the new Branson Landing waterfront featuring a promenade of new-to-Branson specialty shopping and dining, a dazzling Town Square water and fire spectacular that dances to the sound of the season and Santa Claus nestled in a special Christmas treehouse in the South Pole.

Throughout Branson, name-brand outlet, boutique and Ozarks crafts shopping, outdoor events and attractions — decked out in Christmas lights and elaborate holiday decorations –beckon to Yuletide visitors.

Plus A Veterans Homecoming
Branson’s Veterans Homecoming, Nov. 5-11, is one of America’s premier tributes to our nation’s heroes from all wars and conflicts and all branches of service.

Enjoy Outdoor Activities
The cool, crisp weather in late autumn and early winter is also an appealing time for outdoor activities in the Ozarks — fishing, hiking, camping and other pursuits are year-round opportunities for sporting enthusiasts. Situated between three pristine lakes, many of Branson’s water activities are available even during Ozark Mountain Christmas. The lakes never freeze, so they are ideal for fishing for bass, trout, crappie and other species, boating and many other types of water activities even in mid-winter. And the mild early winters allow visitors to enjoy the area’s ten championship golf courses!

Comments Off on Branson unveils biggest ever Christmas celebration

Decorated with lights, wreaths and garland for the holidays, the 700-seat Showboat Branson Belle presents holiday cruises with stunning views of Christmas lights along the shoreline of Table Rock Lake, November 2 through New Year’s Eve. Guests can stroll the decks of Branson’s grandest lake attraction for views of the lake and hillsides in lights, and then take a seat in the dining theater for the holiday Showstoppers! show with Christmas music, from the upbeat “Most Wonderful Time of the Year” to the nostalgic “White Christmas” and traditional favorites.

Recently showcased on The Late Show with David Letterman, nationally-acclaimed comedian Todd Oliver and his trio of live talking dogs star in the show. Named Branson’s best variety act three years in a row, Oliver performs with a talented cast of singers and dancers, an adagio dance team and a live band. Comedic magician Christopher Greenamyer is featured on noon and Sunday cruises.

All meals aboard the Showboat are freshly prepared onboard in the ship’s galley. For special occasions or small groups, the Showboat Branson Belle presents a premium dining experience in the Paddle Wheel Club Room, perched just above the turning paddlewheels.

Cruises sail through New Year’s Eve. All cruises run approximately two hours and 15 minutes, and begin at noon, 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The Showboat is located one-half mile south of Table Rock Dam on Mo. 165.

Comments Off on Showboat Branson Belle decks the decks for holiday cruises

Silver Dollar City Presents Nationally Acclaimed Holiday Festival, An Old Time Christmas

Festival Shines with Holiday Light Parade, 4 Million Lights, ‘A Dickens’ Christmas Carol’, November 4 through December 30

It’s Christmastime throughout the City when Silver Dollar City presents one of the nation’s most spectacular holiday festivals, profiled as one of the top Christmas celebrations in the country by USA Today and People Magazine, spotlighted in the Wall Street Journal, and named the “USA’s Best Holiday Light Show” two years in a row by America’s Best Online. An Old Time Christmas, November 4 through December 30, features a dazzling Holiday Light Parade, a dramatic five-story Special Effects Christmas Tree, and one of the park’s biggest production shows ever, A Dickens’ Christmas Carol.

During An Old Time Christmas, the theme park is transformed into an evening wonderland with over four million lights and 1,000 decorated Christmas trees. The colorful Holiday Light Parade, with musical floats covered in bright lights, winds through the streets of the City each evening. Lighting up the Square is the five-story Special Effects Christmas Tree, with over 250,000 lights blazing with the musical movements of Christmas songs.

Silver Dollar City’s acclaimed production, A Dickens’ Christmas Carol, presents an all-new scene set inside a snow globe. This original musical adaptation of the famous classic by Charles Dickens features elaborate sets and stunning visual effects, with flying spirits, vanishing ghosts, revolving scenery and pyrotechnic special effects. The production showcases a talented cast of 14 actors, accompanied by a live band.

A returning favorite feature of the festival is a dramatic presentation of the Living Nativity, presenting an inspiring look at the story of the birth of Christ.

The traditional lighting of the five-story Special Effects Christmas Tree takes place each evening at 5:30 p.m. on the Square. Silver Dollar City’s unique creation, the Special Effects Christmas Tree presents classics such as “Carol of the Bells” and Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” in a spectacular light and sound show. Performances begin with the tree lighting ceremony and continue every 15 minutes until park closing.

The tastes of the season are in abundance throughout the park, from a Prime Rib Buffet at the Mill Restaurant to traditional favorites such as Turkey and Gravy with Cran-Apple Raisin Dressing. Festive holiday treats include old-fashioned Chocolate and Marshmallow S’Mores, Gingerbread Cookies, Apple Dumplings, Hot Wassail, Cappuccino and creamy Hot Chocolate.

Holiday shows include Cedric Benoit and the Cajun Connection performing in a Cajun-style holiday show, and the rollicking Christmas comedy “Frontier Fa-la-la-Follies” in the Silver Dollar Saloon. The Cumberland Quartet with Tracy Heaston returns in “A Christmas Homecoming.”

Especially for kids, Tinker, the 17-foot Talking Christmas Tree talks, sings and interacts with kids. Santa himself is available to hear requests, and kids can make ornaments, create Christmas cards and decorate Christmas cookies. Guests are invited to join in the singing of Christmas carols at the historic Wilderness Church and ride the Silver Dollar Sing-Along Steam Train.

Comments Off on It’s Christmastime in the City!