Shepherd of the Hills Historic Homestead and Old Mill Theatre is about to celebrate 50 years of wonderful shows and history on August 6th and they’re doing it by adding an impressive new addition to the homestead, the ZipRider.  Harold Bell Wright might not have imagined the new addition in his book “Shepherd of the Hills,” but it certainly is a fun way to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Shepherd of the Hills Homestead.

The ZipRider is one of many exciting additions to the Branson, MO area. Unlike a zip line, the ZipRider is a hands-free ride with a seat for you to sit on. The ZipRider begins at the top of Inspiration Tower for awe-inspiring views of the Ozark Mountains. After much consideration, the owners of the ZipRider decided to name their new ride the Vigilante ZipRider.

Another exhilarating addition to the Branson area is the Branson Zipline and Canopy Tours. With four daytime tour options and two evening tour options, Branson Zipline and Canopy Tour offers many different types of tours to guests. Tours range from being thirty minutes long to two and a half hours long, so they fit into any schedule. These tours are a great way to see the incredible beauty of the Ozark Mountains and get some unforgettable thrills!

The exciting, new addition to Shepherd of the Hill in honor of their 50th anniversary is just one of the many exciting shows and attractions available in Branson, MO. Make sure to see what else there is to do in Branson at BransonShows.com.

If you are searching for a new way to experience Branson, check out the new and extremely popular Branson Zipline & Canopy Tours located at Wolfe Creek Preserve which is approximately 7 miles north of Branson. Recently there has been two new and exciting night tours added, Xplorer In The Dark and Prospector In The Dark. Also be sure to check out Ozarks Xplorer Canopy Tour, Flying Prospector Canopy Tour, Blue Streak Fast Line, and Canopy Adventure Combo.

All Branson Zipline and Canopy Tours begin with Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) credited guides giving a quick tutorial on how to use the equipment before taking off to the top of the Ozark Mountains. You will be transported in an authentic Pinzgauer Swiss Army Troop Carrier to the top of the mountain where you will begin your exciting tour with Branson Zipline and Canopy Tours.

Xplorer In The Dark

This exciting guided tour is approximately 2.5 hours and includes fantastic views while you experience 7 thrilling zip lines plus 10 suspension bridges. Xplorer In The Dark is available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from now until September 4.

Prospector In The Dark

Prospector In The Dark is approximately 1.5 hours and includes 4 zip lines and 7 suspension bridges in the beautiful Ozark Mountains. This tour is available on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from now until September 11.

Ozarks Xplorer Canopy Tour

Experience over one mile of zip lines on the Ozarks Xplorer Canopy Tour. This zip line is approximately 2.5 hours and includes 7 zip lines as well as 10 suspension bridges.

Flying Prospector Canopy Tour

If you are looking for a shorter tour but still want the thrill of zipping through the trees, check out the Flying Prospector Canopy Tour. The Flying Prospector includes 4 zip lines and 7 suspension bridges and lasts approximately 1.5 hours.

Blue Streak Fast Line

The Blue Streak Fast Line is perfect for thrill seekers with one fast zip line plus an exit tour that includes a 100 foot jump! The Blue Streak Fast Line lasts approximately 30 minutes which makes it a perfect fit for any schedule.

Canopy Adventure Combo

For the ultimate zip line experience, try out the Canopy Adventure Combo which includes the Ozarks Xplorer Canopy Tour PLUS the adrenaline pumping Blue Streak Fast Line. This tour lasts approximately 3 hours and is sure to leave memories that will last a lifetime.

 If you are coming to Branson and needing an idea of what to do, be sure to check out more area attractions and hotels.

There is nothing like the fair for hot summer fun and entertainment. The Ozark Empire Fair brings all of that excitement to Springfield, MO each year,  and it’s almost time for the fair to come back to town. July 30th to August 8th, the fair will be up and running at the Ozarks Empire Fairgrounds. Wonderful concerts, great rides, competitions, and delicious food are just a few of things you can expect to enjoy at the fair.

This year’s fair performers will be better than ever with thrilling artists like Kellie Pickler, KC and the Sunshine Band, and Finger Eleven scheduled to perform. You will have to plan ahead in order to make sure that you don’t miss your favorite performer’s show. Tickets are sold seperately from general admission to the fair.

Of course, people don’t just go to the fair for the fantastic concerts, they also go because of the great rides and food at the fair. This year, fried twinkies, barbecue, shakes, fried green tomatoes, chicken teriyaki, and other delectable treats will be spread throughout the fair for you to sample. It might be best to get your food after the rides though with rides like the Zyklon Coaster, White Water Log Flume, and The Mega Slide set up for your enjoyment. 

Don’t forget that Branson is a just short trip away from Springfield with even more fun activities to enjoy. Choose to lodge in Branson, so you can enjoy some of their great shows and attractions when you aren’t enjoying the fair in Springfield.

Drive up to the legendary Branson Landing Fountains for a fantastic concert featuring Nashville’s Top Tier Band on July 24 at 8 pm. The group excels in renditions of music clear back to the 1960s. All five members of the band are incredibly talented at bringing both a gifted performance and great entertainment. The Top Tier Band has performed with with the likes of The Cars, Tiffany, Rick Springfield, and more in their concerts around the globe.

Because their songs span so far back, they can play an enormous range of genres, whether they’re in the mood for classic rock or more of a 90s pop. This opportunity may not arise again, so take the opportunity to listen to Top Tier Band live!

If you’re planning on staying overnight or longer, you can stay close with Branson’s fine range of lodging. Whether you’re wanting a fine suite on the Highway 76 Strip or you’d rather be close to the Table Rock area, Branson can accommodate all needs. You’ll be treated to comfortable bedding, great views, and perfect service!

If you’d like the make your vacation complete, there are many more activities in Branson that you can attend while you’re in the area. Relax on an entertaining boat ride with the Showboat Branson Belle, or prepare for some exciting rides in Silver Dollar City. Choose the attractions that fit you best!

Attend Silver Dollar City from July 24 – August 8 when the park will stay open until 10:00 p.m. for Moonlight Madness. This wonderful event started in 2008 with a fantastic response as well as in 2009. Now for the third year in a row, you will get to experience your favorite rides during the cool of the evening and thrill of the night when you attend Moonlight Madness.

Also happening until August 8 is KidsFest so your family can enjoy fantastic shows during the day then spend the evening experiencing the most exciting rides in the park. Feel the added suspense of riding the Lost River of the Ozarks in the dark of night or see the stars as you ride on the thrilling WildFire and PowderKeg. No matter what rides you choose, they’ll be especially unforgettable in the dark!

A new addition for Moonlight Madness 2010 is the Street Dance at Silver Dollar City. This great event begins at 9 p.m. and includes great dancing. Also during the evening will be the GAC Nights in Echo Hollow where you can witness an action packed show filled with high powered country music and fun. During Moonlight Madness, you can receive special discounts at special shops and restaurants in Silver Dollar City.

So for a great family experience that will keep everyone  entertained and cool, visit Silver Dollar City for Moonlight Madness. Also while you’re in the area, check out other activities and lodging in Branson.

Branson, Missouri is known for its great outlet malls that give customers great value on wonderful products. This summer, take advantage of the lower prices of the outlet malls as well as the sales tax free weekend taking place in Branson, MO from August 6th to the 8th. It’s the perfect way to get ready for school or work with new clothing at better prices.

Tanger Outlet Malls, The Factory Shops at Branson Meadows, and Factory Merchants Branson are three of the outlet malls you may want to visit during the sales tax free weekend. Tanger Outlet Malls has great stores like Banana Republic, Old Navy, and Pac Sun for guests to shop at while The Factory Shops at Branson Meadows offers stores like Ozark Quilts and More, Bon Worth, and Vanity Fair Factory Outlet. The Factory Merchants Branson offers other great shopping as well. Each place has its own attractions to offer guests to make each shopping experience special.

While you’re shopping in Branson, MO for fantastic clothing or other merchandise with reduced prices and better savings during the sales tax free weekend, make sure you don’t forget to check out some of the Branson shows that made the area famous. Between shows and shopping, you’re going to have a great time in Branson.

Experience talented cover artists the Non-Stop Classic Rock Band, which will be performing rock numbers on July 16 at 8 pm in the Branson Landing. The Friday night concert will begin and end with enough variety to keep you humming the rest of the night. Listen to all of the highlights of the latter half of the 20 century, including genres in Southern Rock, Funk, Disco, Motown, Classic Rock, Blues and Country Rock, R&B, and many others.

With almost 150 songs available in their play list, the band has an almost unending amount of musical numbers for your enjoyment. Each professional musician in the band has played since they were much younger, and the experience of the group averages 25 years. The group includes six vocalists and several horn players to add to the variety.

The band is extremely famous in the eastern part of Missouri, and they have participated in the St. Louis Cardinals Opening Day Celebration, 2009 MLB All Star Game Festivities, and many other sporting and performance excursions. Listen to the best of classic rock in July!

Throughout July, come to the Titanic Museum in Branson and admire the beautiful art work of local artist Rachel Wilson, who has pieced together amazing sculptures of horses to create this wonderful free event. Created from hedge-wood sticks, these six life-like horses are located on site at the Titanic Branson. Each “horse” has its own story to tell and even a name. These sculptures truly stunning and are sure to amaze the whole family.

 After you are finished admiring the life-like horses grazing in the grass, visit the museum which is filled with actual pieces from Titanic and even a stunning re-creation of the Grand Staircase. As you enter the museum, you will receive a boarding pass with the name of an actual passenger from the Titanic. As you tour the museum, enjoy hundreds of items and several educational interactive activities. Don’t miss this fabulous opportunity to see great art and fantastic history at the Titanic Branson.

The Titanic Branson is the world’s largest museum attraction of its kind and it’s sure to be filled with great history and a memorable experience for the entire family. Along with visiting the Branson Titanic, browse through other activities and hotels in the Branson area to top off your trip.