Once a year, Branson packs a little bit of everything it has to offer into five fun-filled days showcasing world-class performers, local arts and culture, and authentic Branson fare. BransonFest welcomes spring with a virtual smorgasbord of everything this amazing tourist destination has to offer —
and all in one location!

Celebrating its 16th year, BransonFest 2008 is set for April 8-12 at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater complex. At the daily "Big Shows" inside, you can sample some of Branson's best shows each day. If you attend all the Big Shows, you'll sample at least 50, yes, 50 shows! No wonder this festival has been named a "Top 100" Event in North America by the American Bus Association since 2004!

The five-day event kicks off on Tuesday, April 8th. Activities begin at Noon on the grounds and the first "Big Show" is in the American Bandstand Theatre at 7:00 pm. Wednesday thru Saturday, the outdoor activities begin at 9 a.m. and the daily "Big Shows" are at 10:00 a.m. and 2 p.m. Big Show group ticket price, including tax, is $28 per show.

And if that's not enough to whet your appetite, the daily outdoor activities in the Real American Entertainment Tent and the Hospitality, Business and Arts tents are free and open to the public. BransonFest 2008 is your chance to sample the multi-dimensional experience that Branson offers its more than seven million visitors annually.

Outdoor Activities

The Real American Entertainment Tent features outstanding entertainment all day long! Enjoy a variety of performances and local talent from Branson's shows and organizations — and there's no admission charge.
In the Taste of Branson Food Tent, Branson's finest eating establishments offer for purchase a variety of local and traditional dishes. From ribs to pizza, soup, sandwiches or a Vigilante Taco — be prepared to enjoy! The Food Tent Stage has special presentations highlighting food and entertainment.

The Hospitality and Business Expo Tent features over 70 booths with representatives from area theaters, attractions, businesses and several area civic organizations. They're there to answer your questions about everything that's new with the shows and entertainment at their venues. Enter to win prizes and even visit with your favorite Branson entertainers, one-on-one, during special autograph sessions.

The Arts, Culture & Heritage Tent, sponsored by the Branson Arts Council, showcases Ozark Mountain Art, culture and history. Nationally recognized local artists display and often demonstrate their unique craftsmanship. Meet a featured artist, author or musician at daily autograph sessions.

BransonFest Streetmosphere is featured throughout the festival in the outdoor courtyard area between the tents. Dance troupes, magic acts, special demonstrations, and costumed characters entertain during the beautiful spring days of BransonFest. Children's activities are featured on Saturday.

Nature is on display, too!

BransonFest celebrates spring — a special time of renewal in America's Live Entertainment Capital. Branson, Missouri, is nestled in the beautiful Ozark Mountains where Mother Nature puts on a spectacular show with brilliant displays of flowering trees (dogwood, redbud, Bradford pear) and bushes (forsythia, crepe myrtle, lilac) contrasting against the dark green cedars and beginning-to-leaf-out trees. There's also a plethora of colorful flowers dotting the landscape, signaling the annual period of rebirth and renewal in the Ozarks. It's also the perfect time to explore scenic nature trails, walking paths and shorelines of area lakes and recreational facilities.

Big Shows Mean Big Entertainment!

BransonFest is a great opportunity to sample the best of Branson and decide for yourself what you'll want to come back and enjoy even more of in 2008! Tent and Outdoor Activities are free. For individual tickets to the daily Big Shows in the American Bandstand Theatre and updates on the daily entertainer lineups, go online to BransonFest.org or call 877-588-1957.

The 9th Annual Jingle Bell Charity Gala, to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Ozarks is Saturday November 17, 2007 at the Chateau on the Lake. This elegant evening begins at 6:00 pm, and includes a silent auction and sumptuous dinner followed by a fabulous live auction. Over 400 people attend this event each year. All proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Ozarks, which provided after school, summer and sports programs to over 1,000 youth last year. The Boys and Girls Club of the Ozarks serves youth ages 6-18 at its Shirley M. Schaefer Unit in Branson, the Lake Taneycomo Elks Club Unit in Forsyth, and its Extension Site in the Reeds Spring Elementary School. Call today to request your invitation!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MEDIA CONTACT:
Rebecca Gass, Public Relations
Office: 405-949-5140 / Cell: 405-203-6038
[email protected]

COUNTRY MUSIC SUPER STAR RANDY TRAVIS WILL PERFORM FREE CHRISTMAS SHOW TAPING TO BENEFIT FEED THE CHILDREN

Branson, M.O. (September 25, 2007)— Six-time Grammy and ten-time American Music Award winner Randy Travis will perform for a Christmas show taping at THE MANSION (189 Expressway Lane) for an evening of free entertainment Sunday, October 7 at 7:30.

The concert, sponsored by Feed The Children, is free and open to the public and will be filmed for an up-coming Feed The Children Christmas television special due to air later this year. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Travis will sing songs from his new Christmas album, "Songs of the Season".

For more information about the taping, or directions to THE MANSION, call
(417) 239-1333, or visit http://www.themansiontheatre.com/.

For more information about Randy Travis, visit www.randytravis.com

About Feed The Children

Founded in 1979 by Larry and Frances Jones, Feed The Children is consistently ranked as one of the ten largest international charities in the U.S., based on private, non-government support. The mission of Feed The Children is to deliver food, medicine, clothing and other necessities to families who lack these essentials due to famine, war, poverty or natural disaster. In FY 2005, Feed The Children shipped more than 183 million pounds of food and other essentials to children and their families in all 50 states and internationally, supplementing more than 1,463,065 meals each day. Since its founding, the organization has reached out to help those in need in 118 countries around the globe. For more information, please visit www.feedthechildren.org.

The Branson Veterans Task Force will be holding a luncheon during Veterans Week, Nov 7, 2007 10:30 A.M. at the All American Cafe 239 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, Branson, MO. This luncheon is for the Blue Star & Gold Star Mothers & Gold Star Wives. A Blue Star mother is a mother who has a child currently in active duty, a Gold Star Mother is a mother who lost a child in conflict and a Gold Star Wife has lost a husband in conflict. If you are a mother or a wife, we would be so honored to have you at this program and luncheon. This is a moving ceremony and has offered much healing to those attending.
For reservations and more information please call the Branson Veterans Task Force 417-337-8387. If you do not fall under the category of a Blue Star & Gold Star Mother or Gold Star Wife, you are welcome to attend for a minimal cost. Please put this wonderful event on your calendar. Again, reservations are required 417-337-8387.

Saturday, September 29, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM, at Playtime Pizza, the award-winning trio “Psalmody”, comprised of Leanne Kelley, Darla Ramos and Teri Barry, will not only entertain you with their tight harmonies , but with humor as well. You’re really going to enjoy their rendition of some 40’s & 50’s music, and Southern Gospel music, for which they have a real flair.

“Psalmody” traveled throughout the US and became the number-one-requested ladies trio in Northern California. They have performed with groups such as The Florida Boys, The Martins, Lisa Daggs, The Isaacs and more. You won’t want to miss this great evening, so bring the whole family. The concert is FREE with the purchase of our buffet.

Playtime Pizza is all about “Just Having Fun”, so come join in.

Every week, Playtime Pizza will be doing special events and concerts. It’s different every week, so come check it out.

Join us on Historic Downing Street in Hollister for the 9th Annual Grape and Fall Festival, from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday September 29. Enjoy great food, wine tasting, craft booths, a 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, and a free activity tent for the kids! The highlight will be the Grape Stomp competition at 12 p.m., hosted by comedian and ventriloquist Jim Barber. Enter your Grape Stomping Team today for the chance to win fabulous prizes! The Grape and Fall Festival will also feature free entertainment by local favorites Johnny Lonestar; Mike Nichols; Red, Hot and Blue; Oddacity; and Jake and Elwood Blues from Legends In Concert. It will be fun for the whole family!

The Grape and Fall Festival is presented by the Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce. Sponsors include the Taney County Airport, Penmac, Ozark Mountain Bank, the Branson Daily News, Hometown Radio and Branson Ridge Winery.

Neighbors & Friends of Table Rock Lake’s 7th Annual Tour of Homes on or surrounding Table Rock Lake, these 5 homes are dressed in their finest and ready for the holidays.

Friday, Nov. 30th – Saturday, Dec. 1st
Tours from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Children 12 and over Welcome
Tour Tickets are $15.00 and may be purchased at:
Branson West: Country Mart
Kimberling City: Harter House, Kimberling Area Library, Metropolitan National Bank, Peoples Bank, Summer Fresh Supermarket

Visit our Hospitality Room at the Kimberling Area Library (45 Kimberling Blvd.) featuring complimentary refreshments, A Unique Boutique, with many homemade items, Silent Auction and wonderful Prize Drawings.

All Proceeds are donated to Local Charities Tour questions – please call 417-739-5495

September 22, 2007 Saturday 9:00 am at The Shoppes at Branson Meadows

Join honorary chair Andy Williams, Charo and a variety of other Branson performers for a "Morning with the Stars" to help raise funds for the Southwest Missouri Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. Proceeds from the walk will be used to support programs and services for those persons struggling with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in the 29 counties served by the Southwest Missouri Chapter.

The Alzheimer's Association's Memory Walk is the largest national fundraising event for Alzheimer disease support programs and is held in 680 communities nationwide. These walks have raised more than $225 million for programs and services to support individuals with Alzheimer's disease.

To make a donation or register as an individual walker or team, contact the Alzheimer's Association, Southwest Missouri Chapter at (417) 886-2199 or (800) 272-3900. Participants can also register online www.alz-swmo.org .

The Shoppes at Branson Meadows features an exciting collection of outlet and value-oriented stores from leading designers and national brands at savings of 25% to 65% every day. Complete center information can be found online at www.factorystores.com

Branson Veterans Task Force Press Conference
Thursday, September 20th, 2007
Welk Theatre
2:00 p.m.

Details regarding events around Veterans Day, November 5-11 will be announced.

For additional information, please call:
Arlen Lipper
Office Manager
Branson Veterans Task Force
417-337-8387
www.BransonVeterans.com

September 15, 2007 the Branson Veterans Task Force will hold the POW/MIA Silent March beginning at 9:00 a.m. starting at the main Post Office going North on Commercial St. to Main St. turning East on Main St., going East on Main St. to the Fountain at the Branson Landing where a short ceremony will be held.