See the colorful and rich paintings of famous artist Jim Rodgers at Mount Pleasant on September 18 during the evening, from 5-7 pm for the “Meet the Artist” event. Rodgers, whose painting style is focused on acrylic and oil, will be provide a plethora of pictures and designs for audiences to see along with wine and cheese reception. The admission is free, so you’ll certainly want to see Rodgers’ works and meet him as well.

Rodgers will be painting a variety of images that will truly demonstrate the experience and creativity he has as an artist. You’ll see oil paintings of fresh vegetables and fruit, seasonal terrains, detailed portraits and the attractive Branson Belle to show his Branson spirit!

The creative art of Rodgers will be on display for the six weeks following in the Mount Pleasant Winery in Branson. If you would like to purchase a piece, most of the art will be on sale so you can take a piece of Branson back with you.  A new artist will be announced for the next “Meet the Artist” every six weeks. If you’re in the mood for other entertaining attractions inside Branson, you can certainly try a tour, cruise or show in Branson’s activities. If you’d like to stay for a few days, you can book Branson lodging as well.

After months of waiting, Branson Zipline and Canopy Tours has finally unveiled their gift shop to the public. This gift shop gives guests the opportunity to take home t-shirts, mugs, and other great souvenirs to remember their time at one of Branson’s hottest new attractions.

The gift shop is a beautiful construction that fits in perfectly with its surroundings in the Ozark Mountains. The front porch resembles a traditional Amish porch with lovely wood columns and rustic wooden benchs for guests to relax on as well as a huge back porch where guests can watch their friends finish the Blue Streak fast line or just enjoy the beauty of nature.

The inside of the gift shop is a work of art with its charming storefronts and lovely array of items to choose from. Guests will find children’s toys, zip line t-shirts, jewelry, and many other items on display to look through and purchase. There is even an entire corner devoted to Amish goods that guests can take home with them. You will find that there is something for everyone at this gift shop!

While you’re in Branson to check out the new gift shop, don’t forget to get tickets to go on the zip lines at Branson Zipline and Canopy Tours. You may also want check out Branson shows to find lodging and fun activities to do in Branson!

Take the entire Labor Day weekend to spend in Branson, where you can find nonstop entertainment through the artists and activities present at the Branson Landing sponsored by the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Take friends and family to see some of the best regional music talent featuring artists like M-Dock Band, a Midwestern band known for their rock mixed with an acoustic / electric sound.

Your weekend only begins, as more bands are scheduled to entertain your entire party. On September 5, you can listen to Beyond the Walls in the afternoon, covering famous Christian artists like Casting Crowns, Mercy Me, and much more. That evening, the Souled Out Band will bring you special music accompanied by their talented horn section.

Finally, on Labor Day, you’ll hear the highlight of the weekend, which starts with ”Jerry’s Kids,” who will be sharing their talented voices for the audience and working to “dance the day away for MDA.”  Take part in the other activities and lodging of the city if you’re planning to stay for the weekend as well.

On September 19, the city of Branson will host one of the 34 qualifying events nationwide for the 2010 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3. A $25,000 prize will be given to the winner of the event, and Branson is sure to see many professional athletes arriving on qualifying day. The event consists of several grueling activities, starting with a 1.2 mile swim on Table Rock Lake, followed by 56 miles of bicycling through the rough Ozark mountains and finally a two-loop 13. 1 mile run.

The final event will take place in Clearwater, Florida, but this qualifying round is sure to attract a large crowd. Spectators are welcome to watch the last leg of the triathalon-type event, so you may grab your spot along the road as the runners drive their legs to the finish. The competition is limited to 2,000 athletes, and each one will be as eager as the next to compete globally!

As long as you’re in Branson, you’re welcome to view our large selection of area lodging, whether you’re planning on staying near Table Rock or closer to the 76 strip. For extra entertainment, you can check out the shows, tours, and cruises available in our activities.

After over a decade of dazzling performances, the Showboat Branson Belle has announced that they will no longer be featuring the Showstoppers! with Todd Oliver and his Amazing Talking Dogs on the boat. In addition to the show changes, the Branson Belle has also announced that the menu and appearance of the ship will also be undergoing some major transformations. By 2011, the Branson Belle hopes to have an entirely new presentation for guests to enjoy.

The general manager of the Showboat, Jim Moeskau, announced that the final show with Showstoppers! and Todd Oliver and his dogs will be December 31st. Those who want to attend these final shows are encouraged to make early reservations as Moeskau anticipates that the shows will be sold out. You won’t want to miss your chance to see this legendary show one last time before it is retired.

For those who are wondering what will become of the lovable Todd Oliver and his adorable dogs, plans have been made to give Todd Oliver his own show in Branson. After 13 years on the Branson Belle, Todd Oliver will be moving his act to The Jim Stafford Theater. You can expect to spend more time enjoying his act and his dogs at this venue starting in 2011.

With the Showboat Branson Belle ending its current shows, you may want to come and see the act one last time and visit some other old favorites while you’re in town like the Baldknobbers Jamboree Show or a new show like Noah the Musical. Check out Branson Shows and make your reservations before it’s too late!

Branson will soon hold the 22nd Annual Downtown Branson Fiddle Festival & Mid-American Fiddler’s Championship from August 27 – 29 at the Branson Landing and will also feature other activities in Historic Area of Branson. The preliminaries for the fiddle competition will be on the 28 from 10 am – 6 pm and finals will be on Sunday the 29 from 12 pm – 5 pm on the Branson Landing. Also featured on the Branson Landing will be a concert by BIG SMITH to kick off the festivities in front of the fountains on Friday the 27 at 8 pm.

There will be several great activities at the Festival that can be enjoyed in the Historic District such as food vendors, community sponsors, arts and crafts vendors, a children’s area with pony rides, inflatables, crafts, and so much more. There will also be a fun square dance starting at 7 pm on Saturday night. In addition to all the exciting activities and crafts, there will be fiddle making, cross tuning, guitar seconding, round dancing, square dancing, and more!

Also in store for visitors will be special appearances by some of the best performers in Branson. Some of these musicians even competed in the Mid-American Fiddlers Championship when they were kids! If you are a fiddle player yourself, there will be special discounts during the “Show Me Your Fiddle” promotion. This great free event also has a free trolley service to each location which cuts down on walking and saves time for more fun.

If you are wanting to visit Branson for the 22nd Annual Downtown Branson Fiddle Festival & Mid-American Fiddlers Championship, be sure to check out some of the great shows as well as hotels in the area to make your trip to Branson complete.

Don’t miss these great concerts coming up soon at the Branson Landing Fountains on Labor Day weekend, from September 4-6. Each day will bring new music and bands including the classic M-Dock, Christian Beyond the Walls, Souled Out Band, and the Americans Kids. And the best part of the concert – it will dedicate the area seating funds to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The first day, you’ll see members from the famous M-Dock band, an experienced group that mixes harmonies to a classic rock beat. The band, created in 1991, has increased its skill with instrumentals and expanded its musical genre base over time. 

Next on the list and taking place the following day is a performance by Beyond the Walls, an influential Christian band that will play covers from Christian artists such as Third Day, Casting Crowns, Mercy Me, and much more. That evening, Souled Out Band, a hip hop and dance-type artist, will provide fun entertainment complete with their talented brass horn instruments.

Finally, on Labor Day, The American Kids group will perform providing a relaxing venue for audiences. Along with singing, the day will also be subject to an astounding dance-a-thon, which will drop the jaw of anyone who sees these talented performers.

If you’re planning on coming down to Branson for Labor Day weekend, you can choose from all types of lodging, from the most affordable to the most luxurious. Also, if you would like to attend other activities while you’re here, you can browse through our list to find the show or attraction you would like to attend.

The Southern Gospel Picnic will be in full swing this August 26-September 6, with some of the biggest gospel artists in the music industry performing for Branson visitors in Silver Dollar City. You’ll be inspired as you listen to the musical talent of groups like The Isaacs, Legacy Five, Squire Parsons, and many more throughout the week inside the Echo Hollow Amphitheatre, well-known for its superior quality sound.

On September 5, join many others in the congregation to hear Evangelist Dennis Swanberg, a spectacular speaker minister with a powerful message and a touch of humor. He’ll be speaking inside the Red Gold Heritage Hall, the designated place for the community worship service.

Throughout your time in Branson, you may want to stop by the House of Chicken and Fixins inside Branson square to feast on crispy fried chicken, mashed potatoes, steaming beans, and other southern-style cuisine. Fellowship with others - you may even learn a of a few Gospel artists you  haven’t heard yet.

Branson is filled with opportunities from now to when the Gospel music fires up at the end of August. Get a head start on the fun and book your activities and lodging.

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.