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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is our second year building on the success of last year, and we\u2019re running full steam ahead,\u201d Bullock said.
\nOne highlight of this spring\u2019s events is Silver Dollar City\u2019s 50th Birthday Celebration, and they\u2019ll use the occasion to look toward the future, said spokeswoman Lisa Rau. That includes the new $7 million Tom & Huck\u2019s River Blast attraction. \u201cWe have a responsibility to always grow the market, and to promote the past, present and future of Branson,\u201d Rau said. \u201cThis water raft ride is the biggest water battle in America, and it harkens back to the mighty White River.\u201d<\/p>\n
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. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The weigh-in and awards held at the Branson Convention Center drew more than 12,000 people to the tourney\u2019s Family Fun Zone featuring climbing walls, a chance to get the pros\u2019 autographs, Branson entertainers and more, Womack said. \u201cIt was standing room only,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
A first-time event is \u201cSee The World In Branson,\u201d 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<\/a>\u2019 tribute to their Scandinavian heritage to Australian cowboy music by Ricky Boen<\/a> at the Hamner Barber Theatre.<\/p>\n