Many shopping opportunities are available to Branson locals and visitors on November 26, the day after the Thanksgiving feast. Several stores and outlets open early, and places like the Factory Merchants Branson will have a special Early Bird sale for those that get in line before the sun rises. Their custom hours are as follows:

• Friday, November 26: 7 am – 10 pm
• Saturday, November 27: 8 am – 10 pm
• Sunday, November 28: 9 am – 7 pm

For those who would like to have a little time on Thanksgiving Day, the Factory Merchants Branson will have extended hours from noon to 6 pm. Make sure you grab the best deals, as your opportunities couldn’t be better! Some of the more well-known outlets include shoe stores like Reebok and Red Wing Shoes, houseware from Black and Decker Clearance, sportswear from Izod and Van Heusen and delicious treats from Auntie Anne’s Soft Pretzels. You’ll have plenty of time to shop through these and more once you arrive.

In addition to the shopping extravaganza on November 26, you and your family may want to relax with some entertainment for the evening. Many of Branson shows, including Christmas shows like the Spirit of Christmas and the Sight and Sound Theater’s Miracle of Christmas will be available for tickets. Also, don’t forget to reserve a Branson hotel if you’re planning on staying a couple of days!

Listen up, fishermen and hunters from around the country! The Branson Convention Center will be presenting the Midwest Hunting and Fishing Expo coming up from October 8-10, and you’re welcome to bring your entire family to this fun event.

As you walk in, you’ll find a diverse selection of booths and exhibits to visit, ranging from displays of high quality ATV’s to heavy duty fishing rods. Seminars from famous speakers are available to attend, and you and your kids can choose the topics that interest you most. Here are some of the highlights of the event:

• Seminars by Top Hunting Pros
• Custom Knife Makers
• Great Prices on Hunting and Fishing Gear
• Seminars by National Fishing Pros
• New 2011 Boats

Activities geared toward kids, such as face painting, illusions and balloon animals are also available. Enter into a drawing for a chance to win a handmade knife by the legendary Tom McGinnis! If you’d like to stay for both days of the event, you’re welcome to stay in one of Branson’s hotels and pick out some other Branson activities while you’re here.

Watch the competition of skilled sculptors as they wield chainsaws to carve out fantastic wooden statues and models on October 8-10 in Branson’s  Titanic Museum parking lot. Their completed works will capture the spirit of the Titanic’s courageous German crew members and passengers who helped save lives before the Titanic sank. Experienced wood carvers will be given a simple log and cut and trim until the log is transformed into their own creation. The carvers have a certain time limit, so watch closely as they use the clock to their advantage.

For a true challenge, the event is also hosting a 75-minute chainsaw speed-carving event, forcing the carvers to think quickly on their feet and put detail only where it counts. Once the hour and 15 minutes are up, all wood carvers will stop what they’re doing and be officially judged by their work.

The annual woodcarving event is the third of its kind since its birth in 2008. Come join in the fun and excitement as you watch one of the lost arts of our time – woodcarving via chainsaws. If you’d like to more about Branson or participate in the city’s attractions, there is a vast amount of activities for you to try. Area lodging is available as well; just make sure you book ahead of time!

Start the fall season right with a celebration of the 12^th annual Hollister Grape and Fall Festival, taking place on Downing Street in Historic Downtown Hollister near Branson on September 25. The festival will attract both the young and the old, and you’ll see the true Midwestern spirit through eye popping entertainment and gorgeous crafts. To fully understand the grape harvest tradition, you can take your family to see a grape stomp, which is both fun and exciting as feet squish and smash down on hundreds of fresh grapes, forming delicious wine.

Look around you to see the oranges, golds and reds of the autumn leaves. Entertainers from the festival will keep your attention from the start to the finish. Although the town is small, it is close to Branson where you’ll have plenty of shows, attractions and other activities to choose from even after the festival is over. If you’d like to see the beauty of the Ozark area for an extended stay, you may book any of our fantastic hotels featuring a variety of amenities.

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.

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.

Silver Dollar City welcomes visitors to the National Harvest Festival starting on September 11. The event continues through October 30 and features all types of fun arts and craft opportunities for both the young and the old. No matter what your interests, this great festival has an outlet for you and your family.

If you love making recipes and trying different kinds of food, you’ll want to sign up with a Master Craftsman at the Silver Dollar City’s Culinary and Craft School, featuring a fully-equipped kitchen and plenty of new tricks for your own cooking. Use the tips you learn to satisfy your own food craving once you get back home!

For those that are more into shopping, you can enter the $5,000 Heirloom Shopping Spree for a chance to not only gain financially, but also receive special VIP access to places around the park to get the best bang for your buck. In addition, the package also includes two nights lodging on the Chateau at the Lake and a four person admission to both Silver Dollar City and the Showboat Branson Belle.

There are plenty of other activities you can try while you’re at the Branson theme park, including Missouri’s Largest Barn Dance, which is prepared to be even bigger this year. Also, the Headin’ West production will astound audiences. After you’ve completely satisfied your Silver Dollar City craving, you can find many other shows and activities in Branson while you stay in their lodging.

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.

If you watch late night television, you’re probably familiar with the popular Late Show with David Letterman. On June 26th, David Letterman’s show will be holding auditions for stupid pet or human tricks. Anyone who has an interesting trick that they or their pet can do is welcome to come and try out at the Branson Landing on that Saturday.

Audition times are limited from between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. At 7:00 pm, the last audition will be held. Make sure that you arrive early or you may not be able to try out during the audition times. Anyone who wishes to try out and is under the age of 18 must bring an adult with them to sign a consent form. All pets who are being brought for the auditions must be kept under control at all times. It is recommended that food and water are brought for pets while they wait for their audition.

The lucky participants who are selected for the show will get to be on the David Letterman show. David Letterman will have the participant’s trip to New York paid for and will also being paying the participant for being on his show. In addition, the winner also get to perform his or her trick for millions of people on television!

While you’re in Branson to try out for The Late Show with David Letterman, make sure that you spend some time enjoying some of Branson’s entertainment. BransonShows.com is a great place to order tickets for Branson activities when you visit.