Put on your toe-tappin’ shoes and get your tastebuds ready, as Silver Dollar City’s annual Bluegrass & BBQ Festival is back! From now until May 30, Silver Dollar City guests will be able to see wonderful performances by some of the top names in Bluegrass music, including Grammy nominee, The Grascals. Other performers include the Larry Stephenson Band, Audie Blaylock & Redline and Kenny & Amanda Smith Band. While at the festival, be sure to catch the Annual Single Mic Championship and the KSMU Youth in Bluegrass Band contest. For those interested in culinary side of the festival, you are sure to find something to make your mouth water whether it is a Memphis Dry rub or a sweet and tangy Carolina vinegar sauce. Head to the House of BBQ during the festival for your chance to sample the delicious ribs, chicken, brisket and pulled pork that will tempt you from the moment you walk into the park. You can also pick your favorite BBQ sauce at the Bottle Neck Bros. Sauce Shake. There will be more than 200 different barbecue sauces for you to sample, as well as plenty of grills and grilling accessories for sale.

There are a variety of exciting activites, shows and attractions in Branson, and you can check them out and purchase tickets quick and easily online at BransonShows.com! You can also compare Branson lodging and make reservations online as well.

Branson, Missouri has become famous for its holiday cheer and numerous Christmas events. Branson’s Festival of Lights is a favorite for both visitors to Branson and residents because of the fun presentations and displays it has. This year, the festival of lights will be open November 01, 2010 to January 01, 2011 and people everywhere are already looking forward to going.

The Festival of Lights covers one mile of Expressway Lane just off of Shepherd of the Hills Expressway and Roark Valley Road. Over 175 different displays will be lit up for everyone’s enjoyment as they travel through in motor vehicles. All kinds of motor vehicles are welcome with everything from a standard family-size vehicle to a full-size motorcoach expected to be passing through. Children and adults are both delighted by the enchanting displays and this year promises to be just as exciting as the last.

Don’t forget to get your tickets for the Festival of Lights and check out some of the Branson Christmas Shows for this year. It promises to be an exciting season for the city of Branson!

Bluegrass and Barbecue will bring talented musicians from all over the world and visitors eager to watch them perform this May in Silver Dollar City. The festival begins May 13th and continues until the 31st in a 3-week long celebration of bluegrass music and delicious barbecue. With music shows, contests, and a House of Barbecue, you won’t have a spare minute between each exciting event at this festival.

Bluegrass performers who will be at the event this year include famous bands and musicians like Bobby Osborne and Rocky Top X-press, Men of the Week, and The Grascals as well as rising stars like Redhead Express, Sweet Potato Pie, and Southern Raised. Their high energy performances will have you tapping your toes and clapping your hands. You may discover some new personal favorites while you’re visiting Silver Dollar City for this festival.

The House of Barbecue is the other main attraction of this event. The Red Gold Heritage Hall has been converted into an incredible center of barbecue magic. Memphis dry rubs, Texas-style barbecue, and more await you inside the doors of the hall. Try one or try them all throughout the day. Some delicious sides orders are available as well. Try the fresh roasted corn or dinner rolls with your barbecue.

This October 2 – 4, the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds will be hosting the Annual Ozarks Fall Farmfest in Springfield, MO, approximately 30 minutes north of Branson. Nearly 800 booths are to be included in the festivities and will be featuring a variety of products and services ranging from tractors and livestock to feed and general crafts. Along with an impressive sales area, visitors will also find exhibition areas featuring cows, horses, sheep, llamas and more. Whether you’re a livestock aficionado or simply looking to immerse yourself in the culture of the Ozarks while visiting Branson, the Annual Ozarks Fall Farmfest offers an entertaining look into Southwest Missouri.

For a more traditional time of Branson entertainment Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede will be featuring two performances during the first weekend of October and offers travelers a comprehensive evening of competition, entertainment and great dining! Equestrian arts are placed at the forefront as the show’s participants battle it out in a number of horse races and other events with each side – the North and the South – cheering for their respective challenger. As the show progresses you will be treated to a truly southern dining experience complete with rotisserie chicken, creamy vegetable soup, corn on the cob, herb-basted potato and more!

BransonShows.com offers tickets for Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede and other Branson shows and attractions, as well as lodging. Visit BransonShows.com or call 1-800-987-6298 to set up your Branson reservations today!

For those who love good food and good fun, be sure to check out Bluegrass & BBQ at Silver Dollar City from May 13 through May 31. Festival goers will be treated to live performances from some of bluegrass’s top stars, as well as up and coming acts. Scheduled acts include Rhonda Vincent, nine-time IBMA Vocalist of the Year and 2009 SPBGMA Entertainer of the Year. Fans will also see two-time IBMA Entertainers of the Year, The Grascals. But this festival offers much more than great music! After you’ve had your fill of bluegrass, don’t forget to get your fill of barbecue. Be there as the Red Gold Heritage Hall is transformed into the House of BBQ! Let the succulent aromas of perfectly cooked, slow roasted barbecue tempt you inside to enjoy the most popular flavors from around the nation.

Feel free to look at the entire House of BBQ menu.

If you are looking to spend a bit more time at Silver Dollar City, you will easily find something to keep you busy.  Silver Dollar City offers over 30 rides and attractions for children of all ages!  Experience jaw-dropping thrills like The Giant Swing. Hold on tight as you fly through the air at 45 miles per hour, soaring over seven stories in the air! You can also have loads of fun as you make your way through Grandfather’s Mansion. You will laugh yourself silly as you traverse through room after room of slanting floors and mirrored walls that will be sure to leave your head spinning. From the giant Wildfire rollercoaster to the dazzling Marvel Cave, Silver Dollar City will happily provide you and your family with hours of non-stop fun. Don’t forget to check out all of Silver Dollar City’s attractions. 

If you think the Bluegrass and BBQ festival and Silver Dollar City would make a great weekend, there are several great hotels at your disposal. One such place is the Best Western Inn and Conference Center at Silver Dollar City. Nestled comfortably against the woods of the beautiful Ozark Mountains, the Best Western Inn offers a comfortable stay at affordable prices. Located on the quiet side of Branson, this hotel offers two heated indoor pools, a game room, and even offers shuttle service to Silver Dollar City.

If you love barbeque ribs, the Annual Rock ‘n Ribs BBQ Festival in Springfield, MO is an event tailor made for you. Held on April 17th and 18th at Bass Pro Shops, the Rock ‘n Ribs Festival raises money for charities and it provides food and fun for contestants and spectators alike. The two day event features several team competitions in different categories such as the best pork ribs, the best brisket, the best chicken and the best sauce. Over 50 teams will battle it out in the Grill master cook-off. There is even a competition for which team can make the best Margarita. Other activities at the festival include a motorcycle show, a petting zoo, a climbing wall, a pie-eating contest and a variety of children’s activities. In addition, there will be plenty of live music to enjoy. The Kansas City Chiefs cheerleaders are even making a special appearance.
Best of all, the fun you have will help a good cause. The proceeds from the Rock ‘n Ribs Festival will be donated to several charities including Boys & Girls Town of Missouri, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and the Ronald McDonald House. Last year the event raised over 100,000 dollars for charities! For more information on the Rock ‘n Ribs Festival go to their website at http://www.rocknribs.com/ . If you plan on attending the Rock ‘n Ribs Festival you may want to reserve lodging in Branson through our website at http://www.bransonshows.com/ or call us at 1-800-987-6298 to make room reservations. Bring your appetite and come on down to the Missouri Ozarks for rock, ribs and recreation!

This spring marks the return of World-Fest to Branson, Missouri. This annual event is the largest international festival in the United States! This year’s festival runs from April 4^th to May 3^rd. The 2009 lineup is bigger and better than ever with new performers including the Dzenbii percussion musicians from Ghana, Jallmay from Peru, New Zealand’s Banjo Queen, Jenny Blackadder, and the high flying Zhejiang Chinese Acrobats. In addition to these stunning new performers, you will be treated to performances by past performers such as Australia’s Wayne Horsburgh, on his 25^th Anniversary Farewell Tour, and Ireland’s Feet of Fire, back by popular demand. A list of featured performers for this year’s festival is provided below:

• Zhejiang Chinese Acrobats
• Dzenbii percussion musicians from Ghana
• Jenny Blackadder – New Zealand’s Banjo Queen
• Jallmay from Peru
• Ireland’s Feet of Fire
• Invaders steel drum band from Trinidad
• Russian Academic Band
• Australia’s Wayne Horsburgh on his 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour 

After enjoying some of the world’s finest entertainers, feast upon meals from around the globe with international food to accompany the international performers. Enjoy Kolacky from Eastern Europe, Greek Spanakopita, Irish Stew, Mexican Carne Asada, and so much more. Even the dessert will have an international flavor, whether you prefer Italian Tiramisu, German Black Forest Cake, or Baked Alaska from Norway. 

To view more international foods on this year’s menu visit the link below. 

http://www.bransonsilverdollarcity.com/mini-section/default.aspx?id=53&pid=127 

So whether you want to enjoy delicious international cuisine or watch an amazing array of entertainers and performers, the 2009 World-Fest celebration definitely has a place on your travel calendar! While you are at the World-Fest, keep in mind that you can still enjoy the other attractions and rides at Silver Dollar City as well. 

For Silver Dollar City ticket and Branson lodging information during World-Fest call Branson Shows at 1-800-987-6298 or visit

www.BransonShows.com