Changes and an Announcement

Look for a change in format coming to this blog in the next few months that will hopefully result in better information for planning your Branson vacation and a more interactive experience.

Also, a family member has just launched an online store called 5 Pound Apparel. Every item in this store has a cause. Their house brand donates 5 pounds of peanut butter to Nepal Nutrition for every item sold. They also carry other humanitarian brands like Handmade Expressions, Jedidiah, Out of Print Clothing, Sseko Sandals and WeWOOD Watches. If you are interested, check it out at www.5poundapparel.com

Branson Airport: New Service through Branson Air Express

Branson's airport will announce new service branded Branson Air Express, operated by ExpressJet Airlines.

The five new destinations offered by this service will be:
Austin-Bergstrom (AUS), TX
Des Moines (DSM), IA
Hobby Airport (HOU), TX
Terre Haute (HUF), IN
Shreveport (SHV), LA

Two thoughts about this announcement:
1) ExpressJet primarily offers private charters and this essentially represents the creation of Branson branded air service through public charter flights. Not what I expected, but an interesting approach by the country's only private airport.
2) The five new destinations are also very interesting and I think are well-chosen. These communities are close enough for Branson to attract visitors currently who are willing to make a long drive (or go on a bus trip). Inexpensive air fares may entice these visitors to come more often and there are likely others in these communities who are familiar with Branson and may consider coming now that they don't face the prospect of a long drive.

I will admit this was not the carrier I was hoping for, but I think it represents a good move on the part of airport officials. Hopefully it will help those Branson fans in Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, and Texas enjoy our beloved Ozarks more often!

As always, thanks for visiting the site and happy travels!

Free Branson Event: 61st Annual Adoration Parade

This Sunday, December 6th, will feature the 61st Annual Adoration Parade in downtown Branson.

Source: http://bransondailynews.com/story.php?storyID=14044

We'll be coming out soon with a feature on the best way to celebrate Christmas in Branson, so stay tuned. Hopefully everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends!

Free Branson Events: Don't Stop Believing...In Free Concerts at the Branson Landing

Once again the Branson Landing has put together a pretty impressive lineup of free performances for their Summer Concert Series. Of special interest to any fellow Journey fans out there (and let's face it, who isn't a Journey fan) is the upcoming performance of Chain Reaction, a Journey tribute band. Here is the schedule:

BRANSON LANDING’S 2009 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
JULY 3 8:00 PM CHAIN REACTION—A TRIBUTE TO JOURNEY IN CONCERT
JULY 10 8:00 PM CHRISTIE’S EX—A TRIBUTE TO BILLY JOEL IN CONCERT
JULY 24 8:00 PM LOST HIGHWAY IN CONCERT
AUGUST 1 8:00 PM FIREFALL IN CONCERT
AUGUST 7 8:00 PM THE 4 JAX IN CONCERT WITH JAKE SIMPSON
AUGUST 21 8:00 PM THE MARK CHAPMAN BAND IN CONCERT
AUGUST 28 8:00 PM BIG SMITH IN CONCERT
AUGUST 29-30 ALL DAY 21ST ANNUAL DOWNTOWN BRANSON FIDDLE FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER 5 12:30 PM UNDERGROUND BLUES DIVISION IN CONCERT
SEPTEMBER 5 4:00 PM UNDERGROUND BLUES DIVISION IN CONCERT
SEPTEMBER 5 8:00 PM THE NACE BROTHERS IN CONCERT
SEPTEMBER 6 8:00 PM CHAIN REACTION – A TRIBUTE TO JOURNEY IN CONCERT

Remember, these concerts are all FREE and take place in the Town Square with the big fire and water fountains show.

Thanks for reading and please pardon my pun!

Discount Tickets for Silver Dollar City and Other Missouri Theme Parks

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board is again offering discount tickets (either single day or season passes) to three big Branson attractions: Silver Dollar City, White Water, and the Showboat Branson Belle. They also have discounted passes for other Show Me State attractions: KC's Worlds of Fun & Oceans of Fun, Six Flags St. Louis, and Big Surf (near Lake of the Ozarks).

To purchase these discounted tickets stop by any of the following Springfield locations:

• Park Board Main Office, 1923 N. Weller Ave.
• Mediacom Ice Park, 635 East Trafficway
• Chesterfield Family Center, 2511 W. Republic Road.
• Doling Family Center, 301 E. Talmage St.
• Jenny Lincoln Center, 300 E. Harrison St.

For more information, call (417)864-1049

Thanks for reading!