THE TRACK FAMILY FUN PARKS PRESENTS HEAVY METAL HIGH RISE, A STATE OF THE ART STEEL AND CONCRETE GO-KART TRACK REACHING OVER FOUR STORIES:

OTHER PROJECTS ROUND OUT MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR UPGRADES IN TWO-YEAR PLAN

Branson Attraction Goes Sky High to Celebrate 30 Years

Branson, Missouri – – After 30 years of providing family entertainment to local residents and area visitors, The Track Family Fun Parks is celebrating with a reinvestment of almost three million dollars in its facilities over the next two years.  Construction is well underway in a two-facility capital upgrade, some of which will be completed in the spring of 2011.  Track 4 (3345 W. 76 Country Blvd.) will feature Heavy Metal High Rise, while Track 3 (2505 W. 76 Country Blvd.) will introduce a new classic go-kart track, an expanded building and other exciting family-themed elements.  Guests will still be able to experience all the fun with no gate admission charge.

“We could not be more thrilled to be reinvesting in our parks,” said Larry Schmitt, President/Co-Owner of The Track Family Fun Parks.  “We have not built a new major attraction at our facilities since 2002.  Not only will these capital projects have a positive impact on our business, but we also feel like this reinvestment on 76 Country Boulevard will be a benefit for the entire community.  This is an exciting time to offer something new in Branson,” Schmitt added.

Heavy Metal High Rise at Track 4 will be the latest addition to The Track’s high-rise family.  The LumberJack at Track 5 and Wild Woody at Track 3 were built in 2001 and 2002, respectively.  The new track’s state of the art steel and concrete construction will be more weather-friendly and will offer a completely different experience than its wooden counterparts.  Heavy Metal High Rise will be 1,200 linear feet long, and it will contain over 200 tons of steel and 700 cubic yards of concrete.  After spiraling up four stories, riders will zoom down a three-tiered slope back to the ground.

DeWitt & Associates, Inc. of Springfield, Missouri is serving as the general contractor on Heavy Metal High Rise.  “From a general contractor’s viewpoint, we are typically involved in constructing very conventional buildings, and a project of this nature with its specialized circular design and distinctive steel structure has made it a rewarding and enjoyable project to be a part of. We certainly feel it will become a unique part of the community and provide fun for families for many years to come,” says Randall Ganz, President of DeWitt & Associates.  All ages can enjoy this massive track, as there will be 27 twin-engine, single-rider and 12 double-rider go-karts.  The height requirements will be 58″ for drivers and 36″ for passengers.  Heavy Metal High Rise will be further amped up with a rock ‘n’ roll theme, complete with the chance to take the “stage” for a rocking photo opportunity.

In September 2010, The Track Family Fun Parks held an email contest that allowed customers to help name the new high-rise go-kart track at Track 4.  Roger Royal of Bella Vista, AR was the only person of several hundred entries who submitted the name “Heavy Metal High Rise”.  After evaluating the list of finalists both internally and through outside focus groups, Roger’s suggestion was selected.  The consensus was that “Heavy Metal High Rise” sounds electrifying and highlights the contrast between this track’s unique steel construction and the existing wooden high-rise tracks.  Roger and his family typically visit Branson 5-6 times per year, and are frequent guests of The Track.  Upon hearing the news of his track name being selected, he exclaimed, “My sons are going to think I am really cool for this!”

The Track 3 facility will also see big changes in 2011.  Its new classic track will be unlike any other at The Track facilities.  It will be much more of a road course style with tighter and higher banked curves.  There will be more turns, as well as more elevation changes throughout the riding experience.  The capacity will also be much greater than the current classic track at that location, having a total of 20 single-rider and 10 double-rider go-karts.  The height requirements will remain the same as the other classic tracks at 54″ for drivers and 36″ for passengers.  In addition to the new track, the main guest services building will expand by 3,000 square feet, giving guests more than 5,500 total square feet of arcade games and indoor activities.

These are just some of the changes to come at Track 3 over the next two years.  “As we enter our 30-year anniversary, we are assessing our available land and resources as well as the latest trends in family entertainment as we consider what developments and additions will provide our guests with the most enhanced experiences,” Schmitt comments.  “We hope that Branson visitors and residents will be just as thrilled as we are with the results of the final plan.”

Contact Craig Wescott at (417) 334-1612 ext. 13 or visit www.bransontracks.com for more information.  On the website, follow the progress of the construction on The Track’s new network of live interactive webcams.  You can also view the construction pictures and keep up to date on facebook or on The Track’s website blog.  To view a teaser trailer highlighting Heavy Metal High Rise, visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk0ILAy5KZc.

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About The Track Family Fun Parks:

The Track Family Fun Parks started entertaining local and visiting families in 1981.  The four Branson, Missouri locations offer high-rise and classic go-kart tracks for all ages, bumper boats/cars, laser tag, mini golf, kids’ rides, arcades, and more with no gate admission charge.

(Branson, Missouri)  Season 4 2009 America’s Got Talent Finalist, Voices of Glory, will premier their new CD release with a special media event and concert at 8 PM on January 7 at the new Icon Theater 417-336-4266 on West Highway 76 in Branson.  Special guest performers will include well known country and gospel artists Barbara Fairchild, Roy Morris and America’s Favorite One-Handed Pianist, Brian Arnold.  Gospel singers Kevin Shorey, Mitch Kiersey, Marcey Wall, GMA Award Winners Heart to Heart, Karen Berka and Brenda McClintock and Branson Story teller Aunt Jessie, will be joining the Voices of Glory for the evening’s celebration.

The Voices of Glory, consisting of family members Michael 18, Avery 14 and Nadia 11, were inspired to sing by their love of family, faith and perseverance through a tragedy which transcended to a miracle when their mother Felicia Cole was injured in a serious car accident and left in a coma for eight months.

In 2007, the sibling’s mom, Felicia Cole, was on her way home from a class she was attending, and was hit head on and severely injured by a drunk driver. In response to the devastating news, the children decided they would sing at their mother’s bedside believing that she would recognize their voices. Day after day, they sang uplifting songs with determination, never losing faith that she would recover.

Their prayers were answered and Felicia came out of the coma after eight months and began rehabilitation towards her recovery. Their mom’s recovery prompted Voices of Glory to reach out to encourage others by singing at nursing homes, hospitals, and church gatherings.

Encouragement from their father Michael Sr and many friends, for Voices of Glory to continue singing paid off in a huge way when they decided to compete in the America’s Got Talent TV Show and ended up the number 2 singing group and  made the Top 5 out of over 100,000 contestants.  The national TV show set the stage for Voices of Glory to further distinguish themselves with their unique harmonies, humble personalities and wholesomeness that was noted by the judges, the host and the millions of voters who helped them secure a coveted spot in the Top 5.

Since that time, they have performed across the country, twice before a crowd of 18,000 at the World Famous Madison Square Garden, show cased at the 2010 Inspirational County Music Awards Nashville, TN and the 2010 GMA Dove Awards Nashville, TN.  They have also appeared on many local and National TV shows and have been featured in numerous National publications.

Now their fans and friends rejoice with their brand new self-titled CD project “Vog-Voices of Glory” released on the Christian label through the Tate Music Group of Mustang, Ok.   Singing a variety of styles of music, highlights include the reverent first single “Holy, Holy, Holy,” along with “Your Voice,” “You Untie My Wings,” “Father Who Cares,” and others. The new project also includes those songs that set them apart on America’s Got Talent’s stage including the Whitney Houston’s classic “The Greatest Love of All,” and every patriot’s favorite “God Bless America.” Those in the know will appreciate their reinvention of the ever inspiring Elton John composition, “Believe.”

The Voices of Glory Media and CD Release Party will be open to the public.  A donation $10.00 will be collected at the door, with a portion of the donation being donated to Loaves and Fishes, an organization in Branson that feeds the less fortunate. The first 200 person making a donation will also receive a download copy of the new Voices of Glory CD. To order a CD in advance please call 1-800-771-2147 or simply shop on line voicesofglory2020.com

Loaves & Fishes fundraiser on this Friday, January 7th at 8 pm at the Icon Theater on the Strip (76 & 165). The address is 3307 W. Highway 76 and is located across the street from Ruby Tuesday’s.   This concert features the musical trio Voices of Glory.  If you have not heard these three teens, you will see why they were in the Top 5 of the 2009 season of America’s Got Talent. Entertainment also provided by Brian Arnold, America’s Favorite One Handed pianist, and Karen Berka, host of Branson Radio Live.

I hope you will forward this flier and help get the word out.  We need your support to cover the $3,000 cost of the paper products needed to serve our neighbors in need at Loaves & Fishes this year.  See you Friday night! Blessings, Sue Head

Sue Head, Executive Director, of the The Keeter Center for Character Education sent out the following email on the “First PLACE! Characteristic of the Month” for January: “Commitment:”

Happy New Year!  The First PLACE! trait of the month is Commitment – being true to your word and what a wonderful trait to teach to our area children.

I was discussing the trait of the month with my assistant, Amy, and she immediately shared a story that exemplifies the value of focusing on developing character in young people.  They don’t get it by osmosis but consistent reinforcement like that demonstrated in the account below:

The New Year is always filled with commitments, resolutions, and goals. It’s the perfect time to reevaluate what we do, and how we do it. I remember strongly a conversation in my home during my high school years. My dad, who was a quiet yet hard-working giant of a man, sat at the kitchen table reading the newspaper one morning. He turned to a full-page ad that had used their prime space for one large message: “Don’t Promise What You Can’t Deliver.” My dad ripped the page from its section and turned to tape it onto our refrigerator (the message center of our home).

For years, that newspaper ad glared at my brothers, and at me, as we made decisions about what to do and say. Occasionally, my father would quietly remind us of our commitments by simply turning from his seat at the breakfast table and pointing to the ad on the refrigerator. Don’t over-commit. That’s a different warning than to avoid commitment altogether. Instead the ad (and my dad) seemed to scream to be true to your word.   Be a committed mother or father, a committed worker, a committed volunteer. But don’t fall into the trap of saying yes to something you can’t do. Think about what you can do…dream big dreams, and then get out there and do it.

Another prime example of commitment in this community is Loaves & Fishes.  How inspiring to see groups sign up and take a night to feed neighbors in need.  In order to feed 160+ folks each night, each team demonstrates their commitment by showing up, cooking, serving, and cleaning as they had given their word to do.  The organizers take the team leaders at their word and trust that the team will do as they said they would do, and over the past three years over 20,000(!) meals have been provided through this commitment process.  There are actually eleven nights still available this season (Jan. 3-March 16) that need a team of six to twelve folks to provide the meal.  Please let me know if you are interested in taking a night.

As always, thank you for your commitment to First PLACE! and to the children who call Ozark Mountain Country home.

Branson Landing’s Winter WonderLanding doesn’t end after the holiday season, as the 100 shops and restaurants and the beautiful winter décor continue to warmly welcome shoppers. And, NEW this year, visitors to the Landing will have the opportunity to experience the “Promenade of Ice” skating rink, open on January 1, through February 15, 2011.

The skating rink, provided by BH Skating Parks International, will be located in Town Square, right in front of the 50’ Christmas Tree House. “We’re very excited about this first-ever ice skating rink at Branson Landing and invite everyone to join us for a fun, affordable outing, perfect for the entire family. Don’t have ice skates – don’t worry, we’ll have all sizes of skates available for rent,” stated Tammy Scholten, Director of Marketing.

Promenade of Ice – Skating Rink Hours Monday through Thursday: 3PM – 8PM
Friday, Saturday & Sunday: 12PM – 8PM

Pricing (Includes Skates)
30 Minutes: $5 + tax
1 Hour: $10 + tax
BH Skating Parks is one of the premiere modular ice rink providers in the US, having pioneered the use of synthetic ice and the creation of the perfect hybrid-ice® surface, bringing together the fun of skating with the affordability of an energy-saving, eco-friendly, alternative to real ice.

For more information on Branson Landing’s Promenade of Ice skating rink, pricing, group or party reservations, please visit www.bransonlanding.com.

Branson Landing…Where Shopping, Dining & Ice Skating Take Center Stage!