While Hot Winter Fun is ensuring Branson visitors will find a healthy choice of shows available throughout the winter it is far from the only reason to pay a visit to Branson sooner rather than later. For anglers and outdoor enthusiasts in particular, this January 31, 2009 will mark the ever popular Masters Trout Championship with the Team Trout Championship following on February 28, 2009. Both fishing tournaments follow catch-and-release rules and will be held on Lake Taneycomo, with each offering a great time of exploring the natural beauty of the Ozarks while competing for cash prizes!

Hosted by Lilley’s Landing Resort and Marina, the Masters Trout Championship allows for two-person teams with cash prizes being paid out to the top four teams. And while the Masters Trout Championship is quickly approaching, participants are allowed to register right up to the start of the tournament on January 31. The registration fee is $50 per team.

The Team Trout Championship, also held at Lilley’s Landing, closely follows suite with the Masters. The registration fee is still $50 for two-person teams and registration is allowed up to the day of the event. And just as with the Masters Trout Championship, the Team Trout Championship will also be paying out cash prizes to the top four teams, as well as prizes for the both the biggest rainbow and brown trout.

As for the quality of fishing you can expect to find, Lake Taneycomo in the winter is a veritable hot bed for trout. In total, the Missouri Department of Conservation has reports stocking the lake with 46,800 rainbow trout throughout January, and another 39,100 in February.

Click here for more information, including contact information.

And for those needing lodging while visiting Branson for either the Masters Trout Championship or Team Trout Championship, be sure to visit www.BransonShows.com to easily browse a variety of Branson lodging options and securely reserve your room.

The new year has brought some scheduling alterations to the Moon River Theatre performance line up. Most notably, Andy Williams, one of Branson, Missouri’s most popular entertainers and founder of the theater, will be taking a brief hiatus from performing to write his biography. The 81-year-old singer will be returning to his spot as the evening headliner in September 2009. For the time being, he has given the evening show spot to Rightous’ Brothers Bill Medley and Paul Revere & The Raiders. Also joining these classic performers are Bill Haley’s Original Comets for their first year at the theater. The Andy Williams All Star Variety Show at Moon River Theatre features 6 acts in all, not including the legend himself.

Formerly one of NBCs top rated programs, the Andy Williams Show has found a new life and home in Branson and is easily one of it’s highest ranking attractions! The Moon River Theatre has been providing family-friendly entertainment for over 16 years. The theater seats over 2,000 individuals and is classically decorated throughout with hand detailed woodwork, antiques, luxurious fabrics, and art. Performers who have graced the stage at Moon River to collaborate with Andy Williams in the past include Charo, Glen Cambell, and Ann-Margret. Shows run April through December. For more information and specific dates/times, visit www.AndyWilliams.com

The nation’s first Beatles museum is scheduled to open in March of 2009 in Branson’s Starlite Theater. Louise Harrison, sister of the late George Harrison, who founded and manages the Liverpool Legends Beatles tribute band, is opening the museum. She will supply the museum with memorabilia from her personal collection that has never been publicly displayed before, including postcards and letters written by George Harrison, and early rejection letters from some less than prescient radio stations that professed no interest in the Beatles music. The only other public Beatles museum in the world is called the Beatles Story and it is located in Liverpool, England. The new Branson museum, however, is expected to surpass the Beatles Story museum in size.

After enjoying the museum, Beatles fans can stay and listen to classic Beatles songs performed by Beatles imitators, the Liverpool Legends, in the lovely Starlite Theatre, which includes a five story glass atrium decorated with strawberry fields, yellow submarines, London red phone booths, and the familiar Abbey Road Crosswalk. The Liverpool Legends perform hits from the band’s early days on through to songs from the later solo careers of John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison.

To order tickets to enjoy the museum and see the Liverpool legends perform contact the Starlite box office at (417) 337-9333 or you can also visit the Starlite Theater website at http://www.starlitetheatre.com

To learn more about the Beatles tribute band the Liverpool Legends check out their website at http://www.liverpoollegends.com/

After 16 years, the traditional Branson Fest is being replaced with what is to be called Ozark Mountain Spring which will feature current and new events and festivals from March through May. Along with a new name this year Ozark Mountain Spring will also have new events for all ages of the family. One event in particular that is already bringing much attention is Branson’s First Annual Great American Pie Show. Titanic’s Mary Kellogg spoke on behalf of the Branson Tri-Lakes CVD/TECD Marketing Committee explaining how she wanted a specific type of person that would help promote the show.

The name that was suggested was that of Al Roker, a nationally known weatherman with NBC. In addition with Al Roker, the Great American Pie Show will include the Taste of Home Cooking School, where you and your family can learn and experience the enjoyment out of making home cooked foods. Something you won’t want to miss will be the celebrity pie baking contest which will give celebrity cooks a chance to share some of their own recipes.

The Great American Pie Show is to be held at the Hilton Branson Convention Center located at the Branson Landing April 24-25, 2009.There will be an Ozark Mountain Spring Community Session on January 16, 2009 at 10:00 am in the Branson Convention Center where members of the community will learn of other activities going on during the pie show as well as other upcoming events through May, 2009.

Great American Pie Show Schedule:

April 24, 2009

• Great American Pie Show Semi Finals 8 am-1 pm
• Exhibits Open 9 am- 6 pm
• Great American Pie Show Judging 3pm
• Taste of Home Cooking School 3pm- 5pm
• Announcement of Great American Pie Show finalists 5 pm

April 25, 2009

• Exhibits Open 9am- 6 pm
• Great American Pie Show Judging 11 am
• Taste of Home Cooking School 2 pm- 4 pm
• Awards Presentation 4 pm

*Special appearance by Al Roker scheduled to be April 25, 2009 from 10 am- 12 pm. Book signing and Q&A scheduled for 2 pm- 5 pm
For more information visit www.explorebranson.com or call (417) 334-4084

Branson is often stigmatized as becoming a ghost town after the holidays, and while many of the shows in the area do take a winter break, there are just as many that continue to offer performances throughout the city’s annual celebration of the New Year, Hot Winter Fun! Held from January through March, Hot Winter Fun places focus on the many shows that continue to offer performances during the winter months, as well as a variety of special attractions and events that are held to help keep the Ozarks as lively as ever. Read on to find out which shows and attractions will be taking part in this year’s Hot Winter Fun, and come experience for yourself the world-renowned entertainment of Branson year-round!

Hot Winter Fun Participants

Attractions

• Branson Dinosaur Museum – beginning Jan. 1
• Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Museum – beginning Jan. 1
• Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum Attraction – beginning Jan. 8
• Stone Hill Winery – beginning Jan. 2
• Titanic Museum Attraction – beginning Jan. 1
• Veterans Memorial Museum – beginning Jan. 1

Shows

• 50′s At The Hop – beginning Jan. 1
• Acrobats of China – Jan. 1-4
• Baldknobbers Jamboree Show – Feb. 13 & 14
• Branson Country USA Late Show – beginning Jan. 30
• Buck Trent – Jan. 4 – 11; Jan 18 & Jan. 25
• Comedy Jamboree – beginning Jan. 1
• Dixie Stampede – beginning Feb. 27
• Grand Jubilee – beginning Jan. 12
• Hamner Barber Variety Show – beginning Feb. 12
• Jim Stafford – beginning Feb. 5
• Legends in Concert – beginning Feb. 12
• Moe Bandy – each Sunday beginning Jan. 3
• Ozark Mountain Jubilee – beginning Feb. 8
• Pierce Arrow – beginning Feb. 9
• Roy Rogers Jr. and The High Riders Show with Dustin Roy Rogers – beginning February 26
• SIX – beginning Feb. 3
• Sunday Gospel Jubilee – beginning Feb. 8

Learn More About Branson, MO

To make reservations for Hot Winter Fun attractions and shows and learn more about the Branson area, either visit www.BransonShows.com or call 1-800-987-6298.

Branson, Missouri’s growth as a tourism destination has grown exponentially in the last decade. As a result, more than 52 live performance theaters and 444 restaurants are now available to choose from for residents and tourists alike. Adding itself to these extensive (and still growing) lists is Wedding Italiano. Located in Branson’s premier shopping area, Branson Landing, the much anticipated eatery opens February 12, 2009.  Part dinner theater, part interactive experience, Wedding Italiano opens with the audience posing as invited guests for a wedding. They’ll witness the ceremony and then engage with the actors at the staged reception. The performance offers a full pasta dinner, dancing, wedding cake, and plenty of laughs!

Other Dining Events/Dinner Shows in Branson

 Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede

• One of the most popular shows in Branson, this dinner event is fun for the whole family. Featuring amazing special effects, singing, dancing, and 32 very talented horses, you’re sure to be delighted while you enjoy your 4-course meal.

Showboat Branson Belle

• This award winning dinner cruise is perfect for romantic getaways or just an afternoon spent with family and friends. Comedians and acrobats amongst other performers are your entertainment along with a gourmet meal on this 3-hour cruise around Table Rock Lake.

Tall Timber Lumberjack Show

• Mixing comedy with extreme competition, this show is a crowd pleaser! Take your choice of a chicken or steak entrée with assorted sides and drinks and dine while viewing this unique entertainment experience.

For more information about Wedding Italiano or to place reservations, visit www.bransonweddingitaliano.com or call 417-243-1500.

For more information and to place reservations to Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede, Showboat Grandeur Belle, or Tall Timber Lumberjack Show visit www.bransonshows.com, www.vacationsmadeeasy.com, or call 417-823-0981

Since 1977, the International Council of Shopping Centers, Inc (ICSC) has given the International Design & Development Award to many developers for their creative new designs in retail projects such as the Capitol Shopping Center in Istanbul, Turkey; the Galleria in Fort Lauderdale, Flordia, USA; and the Multiplaza Pacific in Panama City, Panama. This year the ICSC announced the winner of its 32nd annual Design and Development Award is the Branson Landing in Branson, Missouri, USA.

This compeititon has two general categories of which contestants can enter, the first category being Innovative Design and Construction of a New Project, the second being renovation or Expansion of an Existing Project. The Branson Landing was one of the 7 finalists which include the City Center Almere in Almere, Netherlands; the Domain in Austin, Texas, USA; the Manufaktura in Lodz, Poland; La Centrra at Cinco Ranc in Katy, Texas, USA; the Sihlcity in Zurich, Switzerland; and Tokyo Midtown in Tokyo, Japan. These finalists were selected out of 63 entries for this award which represented 25 different countries all around the world.

The winner was announced in an awards ceremony during the ICSC Center Build Conference in Phoenix, Arizona where Rick Huffman, CEO of HCW Development Company, accepted the award in the Innovative Design and Construcion of a New Project. This award was said to be for the shops that were opened within the time period of July 1,2005 and June 30, 2007. Winners of each category are eligible for the “Best-of-the-Best” award which will be presented at the International Council of Shopping Centers annual convention being held May 17-20, 2009.

About the Branson Landing: With over 500,000 sq. ft. of land, the Branson Landing offers many products from anchor and apparel to specialty foods and dining restaurants. It also offers entertainment with the many street performers and the amazing $7.5 million night-time water spectacular. This attraction features the first-ever incorporation of water, fire, music, and light with its 120 ft. geysers and fire cannons erupting in sync with music. Along with the shopping, entertainment, and dining amenities you can also stay at the Branson Landing either while on vacation at the Hilton Promenade or the Hilton Branson Convention Center or as a home at the Branson Landing Luxury Condominiums.

For more information visit www.Bransonlanding.com

The new Branson airport, the only completely privately funded and operated commercial airport in the United States, is scheduled to open in May 2009 and will provide convenient low cost access to the city of Branson and its many attractions. Currently the closest commercial airport to Branson is located approximately an hour away in Springfield, Missouri.

The new facility will be located just eight miles from Branson’s city center, and its proximity should encourage additional tourism to the area. While Branson attracts over eight million visitors a year with most coming from distances of over 300 miles away, only about 5 % currently fly into the area.

The soon to be open airport is designed to accommodate nearly 1.5 million passengers annually.

 Branson Airport will sit on over 900 acres of land and include a 58,000 square foot terminal. The airport has already recruited one major carrier to provide non-stop service to and from Atlanta. AirTran Airways has announced that it will provide daily direct flights between Branson and the world’s busiest airport, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The flights will be offered beginning on May 11, 2009 at an introductory cost of just $99 plus tax per person for a one-way ticket.

For more information on Branson Airport and its grand opening visit http://www.flybranson.com/ or call (417) 334-7813.

Branson visitors, prepare for year-round water park fun in ’09 with the coming addition of Castle Rock Resort & Waterpark. Formerly known as Atrium Inn, Castle Rock Resort & Waterpark has completely renovated its current rooms throughout the last part of 2008, while expanding with an additional 100 suites and indoor waterpark.

The indoor waterpark itself is not set to be open until mid February, though guests can currently take advantage of the resort’s accommodations. Both standard rooms and a variety of suites are available for reservation and coupled with amenities including a children’s activity center and Castle Rock Restaurant.

Of course, the main draw of Castle Rock is undoubtedly its indoor waterpark, and while there’s still over a month before its official opening the resort has already presented the public with an idea of what to expect. As just a sample, the waterpark will feature three slides, splash pool, lazy river, and even outdoor options including a wading pool and activity pool for when the weather does cooperate with your vacation plans! Below, you’ll find a detailed list of the current activities set to be part of the grand opening of the waterpark.

Tentative Castle Rock Waterpark Rides and Attractions

• The Cork Screw – a spiraling, half-pipe slide
• Tube Slide – 30 ft, one or two person tube slide
• Lazy River – gently flowing river with inner-tubes
• Kiddies Zero Depth Entry Pool – shallow, play area for children with small slides and interactive structures
• Outdoor Kiddies Splash Pool – outdoor play area with fountains
• Outdoor Wading Pool – relaxing, shallow pool for those that want to take it easy
• Outdoor Activity Pool – pool for active visitors with multi-level sun deck and structured activities held throughout the summer season.

For more information on Castle Rock Resort and the grand opening of its waterpark, visit www.CastleRockBranson.com or call them directly at 417-336-6008.

For its third-year, Titanic – World’s Largest Museum Attraction will be hosting its Annual Ice Carving Competition, an event sanctioned by the National Ice Carving Association. This year’s event is set to be held on Saturday, January 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be divisions for both professionals and amateurs, as well as both singles and teams, with $8,000 in prize money being awarded throughout the day.

The one-day event will be free to spectators, though there is a $60 entry fee for amateurs and a $70 entry fee for professionals. The event is set to be held in the parking lot of the museum. Last year’s event drew more than 4,500 visitors.

More Events Throughout the Year

Aside from the 3rd Annual Ice Carving Competition, Titanic has already outlined numerous other special events it hopes to host throughout the year. Just some of these special events include:

• Sweetheart Month and Wedding Vow Renewals – February
  Throughout the entire month of February, Titanic will pay tribute to love. Wedding renewal ceremonies will be held on the Titanic’s Grand Staircase throughout the month, offering a memorable way to renew your love.
• Titanic Irish Festival – March
  Experience the culture and history of the large Irish population that was aboard Titanic. Throughout the festival, guests can expect to experience traditional Irish music coupled with tales of both those who built the ship and those that were on its ill-fated voyage.
• Titanic Princess Tea Party – April
  Learn of the traditions of tea time during the era of the Titanic. Throughout this special event, you’ll learn the proper etiquette and manners of tea time for an immersive experience.

About Titanic – World’s Largest Museum Attraction

As the name implies, Titanic – World’s Largest Museum Attraction is the largest museum of its kind in the world. The museum features 17,000 square feet of more than 400 pieces of memorabilia and artifacts housed in a half-scale replica of the Titanic, standing over 100 feet. Visit www.TitanicBranson.com or call them directly at 1-417-334-9500 for more information in regards to both the museum itself and the 3rd Annual Ice Carving Competition.

Titanic – World’s Largest Museum Attractions Tickets

Visit www.BransonShows.com to purchase Titanic – World’s Largest Attraction tickets online or call 1-800-987-6298 to purchase by phone.