September 23, 2015
Stockstill Park will reopen to the public on Wednesday, September 23. The park sustained heavy damage on July 2 and July 7 by flash flood waters from nearby Roark Creek and has been closed since then.
According to Parks & Recreation Director Cindy Shook, the playground, walking trails, picnic areas and restrooms are ready for public access. “The flood happened during our busy summer season, so it has taken a while to cleanup and restore the park” said Shook. “It was our goal to improve and enhance the park. We have planted grass seed and added mulch and landscaping” said Shook. “The fencing on the ball fields is still being repaired and we are waiting for new picnic tables to arrive for the pavilions, but we don’t want to let that stop us from reopening the park.” Pavilion reservations continue to be on hold until the new picnic tables arrive. Many thanks go to the volunteer groups that assisted in repairs to the park. “Stockstill Park continues to be one of our most popular parks and we look forward to the community enjoying it again” said Cindy Shook, Parks & Recreation Director.

City of Branson Utilities Department crews will be extending a sewer line on Maddux Street next week between the intersections of 3rd and 4th Streets. This sewer line work will begin on Monday September 21, and is expected to be completed at the end of the work day on Wednesday, September 23, weather permitting.

The portion of Maddux Street will be closed during the work hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. Local residents living within the work zone will be provided access. Area traffic is requested to use alternate routes around the work zone.

The three days of the Autumn Daze festival will feature homemade crafts, food, live entertainment and more.
Artisans and crafters will exhibit their work during the 42nd Autumn Daze Arts, Crafts & Music Festival in Historic Downtown Branson Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 17-19, 2015. Hours are Thursday & Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A POW-MIA remembrance ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday.
The festival is free to the public. Throughout each day the entertainment stage will feature FREE live music from some of Branson’s finest entertainers!
Crafters and artists from many states around the country will participate. Shoppers will find a wide variety of items including wood crafts, quilts, clothing, crocheted and knitted items, jewelry, hats, purses, ladies’ accessories, toys, floral arrangements, ironworks and collectibles. Many vendors will be demonstrating their techniques!
In addition to continuous entertainment and homespun wares, Autumn Daze will also feature a food court, a celebrity autograph booth, a Downtown Branson sidewalk sale and more. Sponsorship opportunities are still available!!
This is a juried craft show. Crafters seeking booth space may apply to the Downtown Branson Betterment Association.
NEW THIS YEAR – Branson’s Got Talent Show will be on our entertainment stage on Saturday, September 19th from approximately 1 pm to 4 pm. This talent show is open to all areas of talent and will be judged by Briahna Brett Perkins and members of music sensation group “Prince Ivan” – Brydon Brett and Aaron Ellsworth! First Place Cash Award is $300, Second Place is $150, and Third Place is $50. Call the DBBA office at 334-1548 to sign up to perform!

Entertainment Line-Up:

Thursday, September 17:

9:30 Debi Diamond – Pure Comedy Feud

10:00 Tim Hadler – Historic Owen Theatre

10:30 Craig Backstrom – Branson Center Stage

Little E – Radney Pennington

11:00 George Dyer – Dutton Theatre

11:30 The Golden Sounds of the Platters

12:00 Gordy & Debbie Wensel – Uptown Cafe

1:00 Jeanna Kilbane – Magnificent Seven

1:30 Absolutely Country/Definitely Gospel – God & Country Theatre

2:30 Brenda Meadows – Veteran & USO

3:00 Sting Ray Anthony – La Bamba Tribute

3:30 Sonshine Dance Troupe

4:00 Tonya White – Branson Center Stage

4:30 Kirk Hunter – Kirk Hunter Productions

5:00 Keith Allynn – A Neil Diamond Tribute

5:30 Premiere Dance Academy

Friday, September 18:

9:30 Debi Diamond – Pure Comedy Feud

10:00 Rich Watson – Smoke on the Mountain

10:30 Timothy Critchley – Central Stage

11:00 Amazing Acrobats of China

11:30 Tim Hadler – Historic Owen Theatre

1:30 All American Gospel – God & Country

2:00 Mario Rosales – Crystal Theatre

3:00 Kirk Hunter – Kirk Hunter Productions

3:30 Sonshine Dance Troupe

4:00 George Dyer – Dutton Theatre

4:30 Kodiak Brigade – Members Mitch Dyer, Kyle Knudsen, and Kristina Hughes

5:00 Donnie Lee Strickland – Central Stage

5:30 RPG – Ron Preston Group

Saturday, September 19:

9:30 Leroy New – Marty Robbins Tribute

10:00 POW – MIA Remembrance Ceremony

11:00 Bud & Lynda Lynn/ Rory Lynn

11:30 George Geisser – George Jones Tribute

12:00 Barbara Fairchild & Roy Morris

1:00 – 4:00 Branson’s Got Talent Show

City of Branson Public Works Crews will be mowing medians and right-of-way on Gretna Road this Thursday, September 10. According to Assistant Public Works Director Keith Francis, mowing crews will begin setting up safety signage at 6 am with mowing crews starting their work at 7 am. The speed limit on Gretna road in this Work Zone will reduce to 25 mph. Motorist traveling on Gretna Road are encouraged to slow down and watch for mowing crews in the Work Zone.

The Branson Farmers Market will open to the community on Tuesday, Sept. 1 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Branson Landing on the south end parking lot near the Lake Taneycomo bridge. The market is a franchise market of Farmers Market of the Ozarks (FMO), which is the fastest growing market in the state and the number sixth farmers market in the country.

“We are excited to bring access of local foods to the community of Branson and provide the public with a well-organized marketplace to put a face to their food every Tuesday evening,” said FMO Executive Director Lane McConnell. “As a Branson local, I’ve wanted to see a market in our community and thankful for the opportunity to organize this market with the staff at the Branson Landing.”

The market will be open this fall every Tuesday in September and October, then in 2016 the market reopens from April through October. The market will include winter squash, tomatoes, onions, peppers, fall items such as mums and pumpkins, hydroponic lettuce, apples and peaches, meats, eggs, seafood, artwork, leatherworks, food concessions, and much more. The Branson Fire Department will have a fire truck present to teach families about fire safety and balloon art and face painting will provide children with a fun market evening. Musical entertainment will fill the air at market from local artist Adam Johnston.

“Both locals and tourists alike will find something special and unique at the Branson Farmers Market,” said Tammy Scholten, Director of Marketing for Branson Landing. “We are excited for this great addition to the Branson Landing and invite the entire community to shop and stroll the marketplace every Tuesday.”

Farmers Market of the Ozarks is a non-profit organization that offers consumers a full-range of locally grown farm products from a 150 mile radius of Springfield. Items include: vegetables, fruits, pasta, meat, jams, jellies, salsa, eggs, cheeses, yogurt, baked goods, honey, artisan crafts and an assortment of concessions. Farmers Market of the Ozarks operates a vibrant farmers market that contributes to the success of local food growers and producers, strengthens the local food economy and serves as a community gathering place for the Ozarks region.

The Taney County Health Department (TCHD) began providing Women, Infants and Children (WIC) services at the Jordan Valley Community Health Center Hollister on July 22.

Health department WIC staff will be at Jordan Valley Community Health Center Hollister located at 33 Gage Drive, Hollister, every Wednesday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. To schedule an appointment please call the Taney County Health Department at (417) 334-4544 ext 214.

“We are excited to partner with Jordan Valley and expand WIC services to the Hollister area,” said Tammy Drake, TCHD WIC Division Manager. “This will provide another convenient location for families to access WIC services in addition to the Branson and Forsyth locations.”

WIC is a special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children. The program provides services to pregnant and postpartum women, as well as infants and children under 5 years of age. WIC offers nutrition education, breastfeeding support and education, and checks to purchase nutritious foods.

For more information about WIC guidelines and qualifications please call the Taney County Health Department at (471) 334-4544 Branson, (417) 546-4725 Forsyth or visit the website at www.taneycohealth.org.

The city of Branson and the developers of land adjacent to Keeter Street will be installing new sanitary sewers in the roadway. The construction will occur on Keeter Street between Green Mountain Drive and Highway 76. The work is scheduled to take place from Tuesday August 18 through Friday August 21, 2015. During the day, this section of road will be completely closed to through traffic. The road will be opened at night during this time period. The work and schedule is weather dependent.

Motorist are asked to utilize Schaefer Drive as a detour route through this area.

A recent press release from the U.S. Conference of Mayors announced, in conjunction with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball, that Branson, Missouri has been listed as a 2015 PLAY BALL City for PLAY BALL Month, August of 2015. During PLAY BALL Month, Branson will be hosting the Youth Baseball Network National Championship, Aug. 19-22, featuring great baseball played by youth teams, including the 2015 12U Champions from AABC, AAU, CABA, Dizzy Dean, and NABF. In addition, on Aug. 22, Branson Mayor Karen Best will host the Youth Baseball Olympics featuring a number of fun, baseball related activities.

In announcing Branson as a PLAY BALL City, the release said, “The cities are being designated based on the commitment by each city’s Mayor to sponsor a baseball or softball-related activity during August.

“For decades, baseball has had a unique ability to bring communities together, and today, Major League Baseball is seeking to strengthen that connection between our sport and cities across the country through our new PLAY BALL initiative,” said Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. “We are thrilled to begin this new and innovative partnership with Minor League Baseball and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and I thank all the mayors who have stepped up to support this effort to provide fun experiences for kids and families during PLAY BALL Month.”…

“During this month, mayors across the country will host activities to engage children, citizens, families, and city departments to organize individual and community-based, baseball and softball-related events, such as playing catch, running bases, and more. The activities will be focused on strengthening bonds between families, communities, and the game.”

The listing of Branson as a 2015 PLAY BALL City is another step in recognizing the efforts of Branson towards developing baseball into a major activity. Gil Vieira, Founder and CEO of Youth Baseball Network, said, “We’re excited to have Branson as the host city of our very prestigious National Championship. Between the City of Branson, Branson CVB, Branson Tourism Center, and Ballparks of America, we’ve been able to build partnerships that will help develop Branson into the new ‘capital’ of youth baseball.” Jeff Seifried, President/CEO, Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau, said, “We are delighted to welcome these teams from across the nation, and their families, to the inaugural YBN National Championship, and we look forward to hosting the National Championship for many years to come.”

August 28 – 30, 2015

Don’t miss the 27th annual Branson Fiddle Festival August 28 – 30, 2015 presented by Grand Country! Located in the heart of Ozarks, Grand Country Resort is the perfect home for this amazing three-day fiddling frenzy. Once you pull in the parking lot, you’ll never have to leave. Featuring hotel, theatre, restaurants, family attractions, and more, get ready for a GRAND weekend of fiddling and fun!

Anything Goes Contest

Friday, August 28th – 5 pm – Parking Lot

Kick-off this fun-filled weekend with the Anything Goes Contest! With an “open-mic” feel, get ready for anything: Cross-tuning, Trick and Fancy Fiddling allowed! The applause meter will decide the winner!

4 places will be awarded: $50 – $300

Mid-America Fiddle Competition

Saturday, August 29th – 9 am – Music Hall (8:30 am Registration)

Saturday morning the real fun begins with the Mid-America Fiddle Competition. Featuring six different divisions of competition with awards and opportunity to advance to Finals.

Divisions Include:

Pee-Wee (10 and under): 6 places awarded ($15 – $100)
Junior (11 – 16): 6 places advance to Finals.
Accompanist: 5 places awarded ($50 – $300)
Senior (60 & over): 3 places awarded ($100 – $300)
Adult (17 – 59): 5 places advance to Finals.
Open: 6 places advance to Finals.

Mid-America Finals/Championship

Sunday, August 30th – 1 pm – Music Hall

Sunday afternoon begins the quest to find the best of the best and name the 2015 Champion!

Division Finals Include:

Junior (10 – 16): 6 places awarded ($50 – $400)
Adult (17 – 60): 5 places awarded ($100 – $600)
Open: 6 places awarded ($100 – $800)
Top 3 advance to Round Robin.
Round Robin Competition for Championship!

Mid-America Fiddle Champion ~ $1,000 & Champion Belt Buckle

Saturday August 22, 2015 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Branson RecPlex.

This is a free community event prior to the Youth Baseball Network NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!!

This will be the big wrap up to an exciting few days of youth baseball.

The YBN National Championship will become the preeminent Youth Baseball national tournament in the country. The tournament will feature multiple major Youth Baseball Organizations’ 12U Champions vying for the crown of Youth Baseball National Champion! The initial Championship will be held August 19-22, 2015.

The following major Youth Baseball organization’s 12U National Champions will participate in the YBN Championship, along with a Branson-area All-Star team:

Wednesday:

Seeding Games 1 and 2: 9:00 am—11:00 am
Seeding Games 3 and 4: 11:30 am—1:30 pm
Seeding Games 5 and 6: 2:00 pm—4:00 pm

Thursday:

Tournament Games 1 and 2: 1:00 pm—3:00 pm
Tournament Games 3 and 4: 3:30 pm—5:30 pm

Friday:

Tournament Games 5 and 6: 2:00 pm—4:00 pm
Tournament Games 7 and 8: 4:30 pm—6:30 pm (Semi-finals)
Tournament Game 9: 7:00 pm (Consolation Bracket Finals)

Saturday:

Tournament Game 10: 3:00 pm—5:00 pm Championship Finals (If necessary, 2nd game would start 30-min after game 10)
Play Ball flyer