Time is running out to visit some Branson shows and attractions as the summer season comes to an end. Monday, September 7, is the last day to enjoy Yakov’s Moscow Circus and White Water water park. In addition, September 7 is the last day of Silver Dollar City’s Southern Gospel Picnic.

Yakov’s Moscow Circus is held at Yakov’s Theater. The show features a variety of circus acts, including acrobatics, fire juggling, clown antics, dancing, and more. The show follows the unfolding love story of Andrei the Clown and Marina the Ballerina as they face obstacles to be together. Other acts of the show include a unicycle demonstration from the unicycle champion Anthony Soumiatin and animal performances. September 7 at 3 p.m. is the last chance to see this great family-friendly show.

White Water offers cool thrills for the entire family, and September 7 is the last day to take advantage of all that White Water offers. Young children will enjoy their very own section of the park, Splash Island and Little Squirts WaterWorks. The park is also full of slides, tube rides, and more fun attractions like Raging River Rapids and the Caribbean Plunge. In addition, the park has classic water park attractions like a huge wave pool.

Silver Dollar City’s Southern Gospel Picnic event will also be ending on September 7. This event features classic Southern entertainment and food. A variety of Southern Gospel groups and singers will be performing in the park throughout the event and on the last day, and customers can also sample traditional Southern food and enjoy all of the great attractions that Silver Dollar City offers year round. In addition, BransonShows.com offers a Play and Splash ticket that will let you go to both Silver Dollar City for the Southern Gospel Picnic and White Water to enjoy the last days of summer.

BransonShows.com offers tickets to these attractions and more in Branson, in addition to lodging in Branson and the surrounding area. To purchase tickets or set up lodging, go to BransonShows.com or call 1-800-987-6298 to set up your reservations.

Branson, Missouri was selected to host an Ironman 70.3 qualifying race for the 2010 Foster-Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 in Clearwater, Florida. Ironman 70.3 Branson is set to take place September 19, 2010.

The race allows for 2,000 participants, and registration is now open for triathletes wishing to participate in this event. Chateau on the Lake Resort and Convention Center is acting as the host hotel for this event, and the first phase of the triathlon begins there.

The Ironman 70.3 Branson begins with a 1.2 mile swim in Table Rock Lake, beginning from Chateau on the Lake and ending at Moonshine Beach. The second phase of the race is a 56 mile bike ride through the Ozarks hills, which is followed by a 13.1 mile run.

In addition to qualifying for the Ironman World Championship in Clearwater, the winner of the race wins $4,500, and monetary prizes also go to the second through sixth place winners, with $25,000 in prizes available overall. The Branson event is one of 34 qualifying events held in the U.S. for the championship event. 50 qualifying spots are up for grabs at the Branson event. The championship event is set for November 14, 2009.

Registration, event details, rules, and a schedule is available at the official Ironman Branson Web site.

For lodging during this event, check BransonShows.com for hotels and inns throughout the Branson area, including options near Table Rock Lake and Moonshine Beach. In addition, BransonShows.com offers tickets to many Branson shows and attractions to enjoy during this event. Visit BransonShows.com or call 1-800-987-6298 to set up your reservations.

Branson Landing is a great venue to catch live performances in Branson throughout the year, and on this upcoming Labor Day weekend (Sept. 5 through 6), visitors can catch these concerts held to benefit the local MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) chapter and Jerry’s Kids.

Concerts take place on Sept. 5 and 6. Performers include Underground Blues Division, the Nace Brothers, and Chain Reaction.

Underground Blues Division will perform two concerts on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 12:30 and 4 p.m. The Nace Brothers will take the stage at 8 p.m. that night. Sunday night features the highlight of the concert series with a performance by Chain Reaction, a Journey tribute band. Chain Reaction’s concert begins at 8 p.m.

The weekend has more than concerts, however. Monkey Moe’s will be on site with inflatable obstacle courses, slides, and more. In addition, Monkey Moe’s will be donating half of the proceeds from the weekend to the local MDA chapter. Other businesses donating a portion of proceeds from the weekend to Jerry’s Kids and the MDA chapter include Ride the Ducks, Branson Landing Cruises, Shorty Smalls Restaurant, Branson Landing Funnel Cakes, Ben & Jerry’s, Jammin’ Java, the Cotton Candy Kids, and the Branson Ridge Winery and Marketplace.

Tickets for seats at the concert performances range from $5 to $10, with all proceeds going to the local MDA chapter and Jerry’s Kids.

Find more information about this event at Branson Landing’s Web site.

Branson Landing is one of Branson’s newest and most popular entertainment, shopping, and dining attractions. For lodging on or near Branson Landing, make online reservations at BransonShows.com or call 1-800-987-6298.

Lilley’s Landing Resort and Marina located on Lake Taneycomo in Branson is hosting a charity fishing tournament to benefit the Branson Fire and Police Auxiliary. The first annual “Guns and Hoses Fishing Tournament” will take place on Saturday, August 29, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The entry fee for the tournament is $75, and teams are limited to two men. Prizes will be given for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams, and other prizes may be given for big fish. A raffle drawing will also be held during the event. Each team receives a raffle ticket, and additional tickets may be bought for $5.

Lilley’s Landing is also offering boat rentals for half-price to teams. Teams may still bring their own boat, however. A meal will be served after the prize winners are announced.

More information can be found at the event’s official Web site: http://news.lilleyslanding.com/1st-annual-guns-hoses-fishing-tournament.

BransonShows.com offers lodging and activity reservations in the Branson area for all of your visiting needs. To find lodging near Lake Taneycomo or tickets for a show to attend after the fishing tournament, check out BransonShows.com or call 1.800.987.6298.

On August 28 through 30, downtown Branson will be overtaken by fiddlers coming to participate in the annual Downtown Branson Fiddle Festival and to compete in the Mid-American Fiddler’s Championship.

This annual event will take place at the Branson Landing on the banks of Lake Taneycomo. Friday night marks the beginning of the event with a concert by local Ozarks band Big Smith. The concert begins at 8 p.m. at Branson Landing. Other aspects of the festival include street performances, fiddling workshops, an Ozarks Music and Culture tent, a Farmers Market, and more.

The Mid-American Fiddler’s Championship is another aspect of the weekend. There are six categories for people to enter, including the Pee-Wee Division, Junior Division, Senior Division, Cross-Tuning, and an open category.

There is no entry fee to participate in the contest. The preliminary round takes place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The winners of the preliminary round go on to compete on Sunday for the grand prize. The final round takes place from 12 to 5 p.m. Prizes for the event include over $5,000 in cash prizes.

This event is hosted by the Downtown Branson Main Street Association, The Historic Downtown Branson Business Owners, The Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, The Branson Landing, and The City of Branson.

A complete schedule and more information can be found at http://www.explorebranson.com/fiddle/.

For lodging needs near Branson Landing, check out BransonShows.com for all of your Branson needs. BransonShows.com has hotels near the Landing available, as well as lodging and activity options throughout Branson. Make reservations at BransonShows.com or call 1.800.987.6298.

On August 27 through 30, Rockaway Beach will be holding the first annual Battle of the Bands contest. Local and regional bands from a variety of genres will be bringing their best performances to the beach for a chance to win the grand prize.

The grand prize that will go to the winners of the contest is eight hours of studio recording time by Paradise NKR Recording, a record label, a booking agent, and a photo shoot.

The event begins with a preliminary round on Thursday and Friday. Bands will perform and fans will vote for bands to continue to the next round. Saturday is the final elimination round, and four bands will play on Sunday for the chance to win the grand prize.

The four day event will also include various food and merchant vendors. More information about the Battle of the Bands and Music Festival can be found at the official Web site: http://www.rockawaybeachmoevents.com/index.html.

Rockaway Beach is located just outside of Branson, Missouri and is a popular destination due to its beach on Lake Tanecomo. For your lodging needs in Rockaway Beach or Branson, check BransonShows.com for hotels, cabins, and more in the area. You can also find tickets to shows and activities in the area. Make online reservations at BransonShows.com or call 1-800-987-6298.

Located in nearby Forsyth, Mo, the White River Valley Historical Society (WRVHS) is hosting “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music,” which is a special traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit Service. New Harmonies will be at the WRVHS Historical Society’s museum in Forsyth. The exhibit began on Aug 15 and will be available until Sept 26.

New Harmonies contains a collection of artifacts, memorabilia, and exhibits about the role of music in developing America’s culture and history. From regional genres to advances in technology, New Harmonies covers a variety of topics.

New Harmonies is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 12 to 4 p.m. Sunday visits are available by appointment only. On Wednesdays at noon, a lunch and learn event will be held. Visitors can bring a sack lunch or buy sandwiches at the museum and enjoy lunch with local musical experts who will cover topics from the early origins of gospel music to Blues in the Ozarks. Other weekly events include children’s programming on Tuesdays. In addition, free weekly lunchtime concerts will be happening each Thursday at the museum.

Afternoon and evening concerts are also available throughout the event. Concerts take place on Aug 23 and 29 and Sept 4, 13, and 26. Check the schedule online for a full list of times and performers. Concerts take place at Shadowrock Park in Forsyth.

Complete event information can be found at http://sites.google.com/site/wrvhsevents/home/new-harmonies.

Forsyth, Mo is a small town located just a few miles east of Branson. For all of your Branson lodging and show needs, BransonShows.com has the options you need for your visit to the Ozarks.

From World-Fest and the Bluegrass & BBQ to KidsFest and Moonlight Madness, Branson’s Silver Dollar City has enjoyed unique festivals and events throughout the 2009 season. The latest event on the family-friendly amusement park’s upcoming schedule is the annual Southern Gospel Picnic, where some of America’s top gospel artists display their musical talents.

This year’s Southern Gospel Picnic takes place from August 27 through September 7. You’ll find that warm feelings fill the air throughout the 12-day festival, as a variety of gospel concerts are held each day to go along with the Chicken & Fixin’s picnic feast. Among the artists and groups set to perform throughout the festival are Jeff & Sheri Easter, Brian Free and Assurance, The Isaacs, Austin’s Bridge, Karen Peck & New River, The Booth Brothers, The Kingsmen Quartet, The Perrys, and Gold City, to name a few.

Also featured during the festival is the Southern Gospel Nights, which takes place each evening before the park’s closing at the Echo Hollow Ampitheater. For a full list of performers, dates, and times during the Southern Gospel Nights, click here.

Of course, Silver Dollar City’s usual attractions, rides, and games will still be available to guests throughout the day. You can enjoy a full day of your favorite rides, such as the PowderKeg or the WildFire, before sitting back and relaxing under the night sky with your favorite gospel tunes. For additional enjoyment, Silver Dollar City has also instituted its Trailblazer Pass, new for the 2009 season. For just $20, you will be granted permission to cut to the front of those long lines up to six times throughout the day.

Gospel music fans and music fans in general will find much to appreciate while visiting Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO during the Southern Gospel Picnic. Find more information about the festival, as well as lodging information throughout Branson, at BransonShows.com.

If you’re looking for entertainment in Branson this upcoming weekend of August 14 through August 16, you can still find great seats available for two performances to help fill your Branson itinerary. Jason Michael Carroll & Gloriana (August 14 at 7:30 p.m.) and Richie McDonald & Joe Nichols (August 15 at 7:30 p.m.) will take the stage on these two weekend nights at the Tri Lakes Center. The two evenings will mark the young stars’ Branson debut performances.

Jason Michael Carroll has only just begun his recording career, but his success is recognized nonetheless through such songs as “Alyssa Lies,” “Living Our Love Song,” “I Can’t Sleep When I’m Dead,” and his newest hit “Where I’m From.” He will join Gloriana, among the newest and most popular groups in country music. Gloriana recently released a new album featuring hit songs like “Wild at Heart” and “The Way It Goes.” On August 14, these two will combine their musical talents for an evening of amazing harmonies.

The August 15 performance features Richie McDonald, former lead singer for the group Lonestar, along with country music artist Joe Nichols for a whole night of chart-topping hits – all for a worthy cause. The event is designed to raise funds for the Children’s Miracle Network, which continues to serve the Ozarks region by generating awareness programs and raising money to benefit children. The event promises to be a lot of fun as you enjoy hits like “I’m Already There,” “Amazed,” and “Brokenheartsville.”

Your chance to witness these one-time-only shows is still available. It’s not too late to purchase your tickets to either of the two performances. Purchase your tickets and reserve your great seats at the Tri Lakes Center homepage. Need lodging or general Branson information? Visit BransonShows.com for your guide to all things Branson, Missouri!

Two disctinctive voices in the music industry will perform as one this September in Branson, as RFD – TV the Theatre has addeed a Dionne Warwick and BJ Thomas duo to its summer show schedule for a limited time only. For two nights only, September 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. local time, the two distinguished performers will entertain audiences with a number of hits from their four-decade careers, making either of the two scheduled performances the perfect way to cap off the summer season.

Dionne Warwick has had nearly 60 songs reach the charts since her career began in 1962 with the popular hit “Don’t Make Me Over.” Other memorable songs of hers include “Do You Know the Way to San Jose,” “I’ll Never Love this Way Again,” and “Deja Vu,” all of which were Grammy Award-winning singles. BJ Thomas began his career in 1966 with “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” before turning out such greats as “Hooked on a Feeling,” “I Just Can’t Help Believing,” and “Rock and Roll Lullaby.”

With the limited engagement performances, you can enjoy a full list of these fan favorites and more from two of music’s most influential voices. For the best seating, you should act quickly. The show’s short stint means that tickets are sure to sell quickly. Start making your plans to enjoy Dionne Warwick and BJ Thomas on your end-of-summer vacation in Branson!

Click here to find general information about the upcoming performance or to purchase your tickets in advance. For biographies and a list of hits from the two musicians, visit the Dionne Warwick home page and the BJ Thomas home page.

For further enjoyment on your trip to the Ozarks, you can find show tickets, hotel options, or general Branson information at BransonShows.com. Call 1-800-987-6298 for more information as well.