Branson area business owners have been thinking about spring for months. On Tuesday, Jan. 12, more than 15 presenters will preview dozens of special events planned for March through May at the OMS Community Presentation & Press Conference at 10 a.m. in the Keeter Center on the campus of College of the Ozarks.
Ozark Mountain Spring was selected as the way to package and publicize the many events taking place during those months, said Kathleen Bullock, Tourism Development Director for the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. The goal was to identify the season, much like Ozark Mountain Christmas, a recognizable seasonal campaign which draws many visitors each year.
“This is our second year building on the success of last year, and we’re running full steam ahead,” Bullock said.
One highlight of this spring’s events is Silver Dollar City’s 50th Birthday Celebration, and they’ll use the occasion to look toward the future, said spokeswoman Lisa Rau. That includes the new $7 million Tom & Huck’s River Blast attraction. “We have a responsibility to always grow the market, and to promote the past, present and future of Branson,” Rau said. “This water raft ride is the biggest water battle in America, and it harkens back to the mighty White River.”
A returning event is the Wal-Mart FLW Bass Fishing Tournament March 3-6, said fishing enthusiast Tate Womack, director of sales at the Jim Stafford Theatre. Last year, 150 fishing pros competed on Table Rock Lake for the top prize of $100,000. The weigh-in and awards held at the Branson Convention Center drew more than 12,000 people to the tourney’s Family Fun Zone featuring climbing walls, a chance to get the pros’ autographs, Branson entertainers and more, Womack said. “It was standing room only,” he said.
A first-time event is “See The World In Branson,” a project of the Branson Area Receptive Association. Area businesses select a country to highlight, and more than 27 are already making plans ranging from the Hughes Brothers’ tribute to their Scandinavian heritage to Australian cowboy music by Ricky Boen at the Hamner Barber Theatre.
As part of its continuing commitment to serving the community, Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services and sellers of Branson show and attraction tickets and lodging, is proud to sponsor this press release on this site.
