Amy, a mom with the "inside track," and her daughters.

Warmer weather allows some of my favorite things back into our schedule . . . grilling out and eating dinner on the back porch (less cooking for me!), going to the pool and lake (though I don’t really like to get my hair wet – this is very irritating to my girls!), and, of course, eating ice cream any and every day of the week (it’s hot out, after all!).

But do you know what else warmer weather brings . . . lots of birthday party options!  You moms with kids who have “cold weather birthdays” know how hard it can be to find a fun place to have an indoor birthday party (especially if you’ve sworn after last year’s party that your house is no longer on the possibilities list!).  You moms with kids with “warm weather birthdays” certainly have more choices.

But according to Dawn, a mom from Branson, a birthday party at The Track should be at the top of the list!  Listen to what she had to say about her son’s recent party at the Track:

“Yesterday we celebrated our son’s 11th birthday at the Track.  After 11 years of trying to top the birthday party from the year before, I think we finally found our spot.  We took 10 of our son’s best friends for two hours of complete boy fun at the Track.  They played lazer tag, rode round after round of go-karts and each took a game card home as a party favor so they can come back to the Track with their families.  I loved watching their faces as they sped past me on their go-karts.  And our son had the best time.  There is something so freeing about “just being able to be a boy.”  These 10 boys had been at school all day sitting, doing school work, being quiet and responsible and watching them end a long day with some crazy boy fun was something I will always treasure.  They all loved it and thanked us constantly for inviting them.

I wish I had thought of having his birthday party at the Track before now.  I know this, we’ll be back.  As a family and for birthday parties in the future.  We’ve got another little boy who will want to take his friends go carting when they are older!”

Take Dawn’s advice and have your child’s next birthday party at The Track!  For more information about birthday party packages, click here. Your kids will thank you!

Amy, a mom with "the inside track," and her daughters.

Well, we’ve made it through those Spring Break weeks . . . the official opening of yet another tourist season in Branson!

It’s always a highly anticipated time of year for us locals.  For many, it means getting back to work after a few months of “down time.”  For some businesses, it’s a chance to show off some improvements or additions that were made over the winter months.

For me, it means that I must re-familiarize myself with the back roads . . . there’s just too much traffic on the strip!  Now please – don’t get me wrong.  I am NOT complaining!  We learn pretty early on around here not to complain about the traffic because, after all, that traffic is what keeps much of this town in business!

And, I think I can speak for many when I say that, this year especially, we are grateful for all of the traffic that came through here these past few weeks.  When your town experiences tornado damage only about a week before the tourist season opens, you just don’t know how things are going to go.

But, go it did!  There sure were a lot of families in town for Spring Break.  In fact, my family was one them.  Yes, you read that right.  We took a good ole’ fashioned Branson vacation for part of our Spring Break . . . a “staycation,” you might call it.

We had a blast!

Now, you might be expecting me to go on and on about how great of a time we had a The Track.  But, the truth is . . . we didn’t even go there – gasp!  I can assure you, however, that there will be plenty of opportunities in the coming months for me to tell you all about our family fun at The Track!  But, for now, let me tell you about some of the other great Branson fun we had on our “staycation.”

On Friday night, we went to see the Haygoods.  In all the years I’ve lived here, I’ve always wanted to see this show, but had never taken the opportunity (yes, it’s true that sometimes us locals just do not take advantage of all the things in our own backyard!).  It was excellent – very entertaining and quite impressive.  Here are my girls posing in front of the theater (they liked the show a whole lot more than posing for the picture!):

On Saturday, we did a little hiking and a lot of hanging out at our resort (yes, we did stay away from home for the weekend – this was the real deal!).  If you are into hiking, there are a lot of great trails around Branson.  Click here to see some of the nearby options.  On our hike, the girls stopped to hold up this rock ledge for a few minutes

On Saturday afternoon, I faced a really big fear and rode the Vigilante Zip Rider at Shepherd of the Hills . . . YES, it was very high.  YES, it was very fast.  And YES, it was very fun!  In fact, I was pretty calm about the whole thing until right before it was our turn to go – then, I got a little freaked out!  Thankfully, my much-braver-than-me family was very encouraging, and once I was zipping down that cable, I had a great time!

We decided that we should take a picture in front of the Vigilante sign to commemorate the experience.  There was no one around to take our photo, but that didn’t stop us!  We figured out how to use the timer on the camera, set it up at just the right angle (well, the best we could do) and snapped a reasonably good photo (actually, it’s not that good – the grass is more in focus that we are!):

The next day, we checked out of our resort and headed over to the beautiful Big Cedar Lodge just south of Branson for brunch.  After we ate (the food was delicious, by the way!), we walked around the resort for a little while to take in the beautiful spring day.  The red buds were absolutely gorgeous!

What a great weekend!  The only bad part . . . there was so much more we wanted to do!  I guess we’ll just have to come back . . . and maybe next time we’ll go to The Track

Amy, a mom with "the inside track," and her daughters.

What’s up?  It’s Wednesday, that’s what!

I can just see you know . . . you have a confused look on your face.  You are thinking, The fact that it is Wednesday isn’t particularly exciting and certainly is not the logical answer to the question, “What’s Up?!”

Well, you are right . . . but let me suggest that you just need a little more information to make all of this make sense.  And, guess what?  I happen to have the information you need to put all the pieces of the puzzle together.

The past few weeks, The Track has made Wednesdays a bit more exciting with their weekly video series, “What’s Up Wednesday!” that is posted on The Track’s YouTube channel (and linked to their Facebook page).  If you haven’t already, you really should check these videos out!

Picture a mix between VH1’s “Behind the Music” (though maybe slightly less professionally filmed and scripted!) and a really great infomercial (but much more entertaining and without the direct sales piece!) and you have an idea (or maybe I’ve confused you even more) of what “What’s Up Wednesday!” is all about.

On second thought, maybe you should just check them out for yourself . . . you may just learn something!

Amy, a mom with the "inside track," and her daughters.

I’m sure by now many of you have seen either in person, or in pictures, the aftermath of the tornado that ripped through the Branson area less than two weeks ago . . . the “Leap Day” tornado, it is being called, which is a pretty fitting title – an unusual storm on an unusual day of the year!

Though my family did make our way into our basement the night of the storm, I must admit that we had NO IDEA of the destruction that many families and businesses experienced overnight.  When we received word early the next morning that school had been cancelled due to storm damage, I knew that the few downed limbs in my yard were nothing compared to what others must have experienced.

It was strange to drive out of my neighborhood and down the roads that I frequent every day and STILL to see nothing out of place.  But as I kept driving toward the strip, that quickly changed.  There were many sections of the strip that looked as normal as my own neighborhood did, but then there were others that did not fare so well.  And in classic tornado fashion, there were many buildings that were left completely untouched standing right next to buildings that were severely damaged.  It broke my heart.  Though people’s lives were not taken (we are so thankful!), I knew that the tornado’s destructive path would definitely have an effect on the people of our town, both personally and professionally.

But, I also knew that our town has a special spirit . . . and that this “set-back” would not keep us down.  There is not space to detail here the stories of unselfish help and service that have characterized our town post-tornado.  Though you would never wish for something like this to happen, I must say that seeing the way our town pulled together to help our neighbors is something that I will not soon forget.  It didn’t surprise me, but it was certainly awesome to witness.

So, how did The Track fare in this storm?

Well, Track 5 happens to be in a section of the strip that was not affected at all.  In fact, it opened on Saturday, March 3rd as planned for the season!  Track 3 is in a section of the strip that had LOTS of damage.  But, with the exception of a very large billboard (that is now a mangled mess of steel) that fell onto Track 3’s Lost Mine mini golf course, Track 3 was virtually untouched!  It opened on Friday, March 2nd as planned for the season!

Track 4, on the other hand, is a bit of a different story.  The good news is that the new-in-2011 Heavy Metal High Rise was not touched.  The bad news is that other parts of the park did not fare so well:

Yikes - that's not good!

Look at those trees!

Wow! That's some wind!

Within a couple of days, most of the debris was cleaned up, which made the park look almost normal!  But, the building sustained damage severe enough that it has been deemed a total loss – demolition started late this week.  Though it is sad to see it go, there is great opportunity to rebuild something even better in its place.  So for now, Track 4 is closed.  I can assure you, however, that the team at the Track is working hard to get things up and running as soon as they can!

And remember, Track 3 and Track 5 are OPEN, as are the majority of Branson businesses!  Click here for more information on OPEN businesses and attractions.

We hope to see you in Branson this year – we’ll be ready for you!!

Amy, a mom with the "inside track," and her daughters.

So, in my last post, I mentioned the 2012 pre-season Go-Card online offer that is available until March 1st (that’s coming up!).  In a nutshell, you get the Go-Card loaded with 170 credits for only $110.  That’s a lot of credits for not a lot of money!

Don’t forget to make your purchase online today (remember that March 1st is the deadline for this price!) – you don’t want to miss out!

Now, I want to take a little bit of time today to talk in more detail about the 2012 Go-Card and other playcards available at the Track in 2012.  There are a few changes this year, but before I get to that, I want to be sure that we know what has NOT changed . . .

• The Go-Card allows you to purchase unlimited additional credits for HALF PRICE until December 31, 2012 . . . that’s a great value!
• You only need one card per family, and you can even recharge it online whenever you need to . . . that’s convenient!
• You also get some great freebies with your Go Card purchase – one FREE G-Force ride at Track 5, one FREE Andy’s One-Topping Sundae, and one FREE Pizza World Buffet . . . that’s free, and free is always good!
• The Go-Card gives you discounts on other great entertainment and dining options in Branson (the Track’s Go-Card Partners) . . . that’s… I can’t think of another adjective I haven’t already used!

What is a little different this year is that the Track is only offering one Go-Card deal . . . but it’s a good one!  In addition to the benefits listed above, the 2012 Go-Card comes with 160 credits (plus 10 bonus credits if you purchase online!) for $120.  And remember that once you’ve used up these initial credits, you can reload the Go-Card with unlimited half price credits until the end of 2012!

So, what if you don’t want as many credits as the Go-Card offers, but you still want a good deal?  The Track has a couple more playcard deals that offer good savings to you:

• $80 playcard – this deal gives you 100 credits for the price of 80!
• $40 playcard – this deal give you 45 credits for the price of 40!

The most important thing to note on these deals is that these playcards are NOT Go-Cards and do NOT have half-price buying power.

Regardless of which package you choose, I’m pretty sure your family will have a great time at the Track in 2012!

Amy, a mom with the "inside track," and her daughters.

Happy New Year!

Yes, I know that it is almost the end of February, but I’ve been pretty quiet on the blog these past couple of months, so I thought a greeting of this kind was in order.  This has been quite a unique winter, especially in the weather department.  Until last week, we had had NO snow days.  That’s almost unheard of!  What we have had is beautiful, unseasonably warm (spring-like!) weather, and it looks like there is no end in sight (at least this week).

So, contrary to other years when the idea of go-karting in February was pretty much preposterous, this year it’s a great option!  Check out the Track’s operating schedule and make plans to bring your family to the Track.  Now, you might notice a disclaimer on the operating schedule that says, “Operating schedule subject to change without notice due to low temperatures, inclement weather and/or low crowd levels.” So, consider yourself forewarned – during this more than any other time of year, you need to keep this disclaimer in mind!  Thankfully, you can visit Facebook and Twitter weekly for the most current winter hours.

Even if you don’t plan to visit Branson until the spring or summer, you might consider purchasing the 2012 Go-Card online right now for great pre-season (until March 1st) savings and a bonus . . . 10 extra credits just for purchasing online! Remember that credits never expire, and the Go-Card allows you to buy unlimited additional credits at HALF PRICE until December 31, 2012!  Stay tuned for more detailed information about the 2012 Go-Card and other great playcard values . . . it’s going to be a great year!

Amy, a mom with the "inside track," and her daughters.

There are no two ways about it . . . Christmas is on its way!  In fact, there are only 20 days left until the big day.

It’s funny how there can be such varying reactions when someone points out how many days there are left until Christmas:

*The “Always-on-the-Ball” people hear that there are 20 days until Christmas, and they are calm, cool and collected.  They confidently proclaim, “It’s going to be so nice to enjoy these next few weeks because I have everything done – the house is decorated, Christmas cards are in the mail and gifts are wrapped and under the tree!” Note – these people count some of the greatest “fun” of the season getting to check all these holiday tasks off of their lists.  They may ever do the task and then write it down on one of their many lists just so they have have the satisfaction of crossing it off!

*The “Who-Cares-about-the-Ball” folks delight in the news!  They excitedly exclaim, “Wow, that’s 20 whole days to enjoy the season!  What fun, Christmasy thing are we going to do today?”  Note – these people most likely do not have gifts bought, cards done or presents wrapped and under the tree, but they just know it will all work out!  Or, they enjoy every part of the Christmas season so much that none of these tasks seems like a chore at all – it’s all part of the fun!

Now let me stop right here . . . though these types of people are typically quite different in the way they approach the Season, they are both poised to thoroughly enjoy these next 20 days.  But now onto our last type of person:

*The “Usually-on-the-Ball-but-Not-So-Much-This Year” crowd hears the 20-days-til-Christmas news with equal parts panic and self-critique.  They might react something like, “I just can’t believe there is still so much to do!  How could I have let things get away from me?  I still have so much hanging over my head.”  Note – these people are at the largest risk for not enjoying the season.

We need an intervention, and I know something that just might be a big part of the remedy . . . Branson’s Ozark Mountain Christmas!

Now don’t get me wrong.  I’m not saying that the “Usually-on-the-Ball-but-Not-So-Much-This-Year” crowd are the only ones who would enjoy Ozark Mountain Christmas – we all can! – but I am saying that taking time to enjoy all that Branson has to offer this month is sure to put a little cheer (back) into the season!

A few Ozark Mountain Christmas highlights for you and yours to see and experience:

• Andy’s Frozen Custard holiday treats (I can’t help but start with food!) – You really don’t want to miss the Candy Cane concrete and the Andy Nog Shake.  Yes, eating cold treats in cold weather does seem a little counter-intuitive, but I promise that it’s worth it!  Consider eating one (or both!) of these treats while viewing some of Branson’s wonderful Christmas light displays from your warm car . . .
• Drive-Through Christmas Lights – Branson Area Festival of Lights is one of the area’s fantastic light displays, which is open until January 2, 2012!  Another impressive light display is Shepherd of the Hills’ Trail of Lights.  This adventure also include a trip up the Inspiration Tower where you can ride glass elevators up 230′ for a breath-taking view of the lights from above.
• Polar Express presented by Branson’s Scenic Railway – If you’re not in the Christmas spirit yet, this is sure to help you along!  Watch for the elves when you get close to the North Pole!
• Christmas Shows too many to count!  Click here for a list of shows that are running through this week and remember that many Branson shows wrap up their Christmas performances before we actually make it to Christmas, so be sure to check the schedules carefully so you don’t miss out!
• And last, but not least . . . An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City! Named one of the World’s Top Holiday Destinations by CNN.com and one of the Top 5 Holiday Events in the Country by Good Morning America, this is a must-visit place in Branson this December.  There is so much to experience at the park, but there are a few (according to my family) don’t-miss activities to see and do before you leave the park . . . visit with Santa (get in line early!), watch A Dickens’ Christmas Carol, watch the Gifts of Christmas Holiday Light parade, drink hot wassail, and enjoy the spectacular 5-story Special Effects Christmas Tree.  You’ll love it year after year!

My little bullet-pointed list just doesn’t seem to do Ozark Mountain Christmas justice, but you know what will?!  YOU coming to experience for yourself!  So, whether you are a “Always-on-the-Ball,” a “Who-Cares-About-the-Ball,” a “Usually-on-the-Ball-but-Not-So-Much-This Year” or something else, I can assure you that Branson at Christmas will not disappoint!

Amy, a mom with the "inside track," and her daughters.

Christmas!!

Am I confusing you?  Shouldn’t I be writing something about giving thanks?  After all, we are less than a week away from Turkey Day, right?

Well, yes.  But, I must remind you that this is Branson.  Here in our little town we barely get through Halloween (much less Thanksgiving) before those Christmas decorations start going up along the strip, in businesses, and even in (over-achievers) homes.  Ozark Mountain Christmas makes its debut on November 1st, ready or not!

When I first arrived in town, I will admit that I was a little disturbed by this phenomena.  But over time, I’ve come to appreciate the enthusiasm that Branson has for the Christmas season.  Now don’t get me wrong, I have certainly not embraced it to the point of (even thinking about) having my home decorated with lights, garland and bows before I’ve had one bite of turkey and pumpkin pie.  But, there are benefits . . .

Shopping.

As you are probably aware, Branson has some great shopping.  Contrary to what my husband may believe, I am not much of a shopper.  I should probably stop right here and define my terms before I get called a liar. . . by “shopper” I mean someone who actually enjoys browsing around in stores and who may or may not actually buy something.  No, I am not by this definition a “shopper.”  I am, however, a “buyer on a mission.”  You see, when I realize that it’s time (or I want) to buy something, I’m going to buy it as quickly as possible (usually in the first store I choose to go in).

So, why am I telling you this? Well, in my pre-Branson life (where the Christmas season was not visually upon me until after Thanksgiving), my “buyer on a mission” status often led me to Christmas-gift-buying procrastination.  This.Never.Ends.Well.  But now that I live here in Branson, I can no longer say, “Christmas really snuck up on me” and be telling the truth.

IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR CHRISTMAS TO SNEAK UP ON YOU IN BRANSON!

So, what does this mean for me in the gift-buying department?  It means that as soon as I shift my gaze from the beautiful fall foliage to the festive Christmas lights, I become that “buyer on a mission.”  This.Always.Ends.Well.  By the time the leaves fall from the trees, the bulk of my Christmas shopping is complete.  Ahhh.

I bet you are wondering how in the world I am going to tie this “shopping” rant to anything go-kart related.  Well, wonder no more . . .

The Track has teamed up with the Tanger Outlet Mall to bring you the “Track-and-Tanger Gift Package” which gives you a $30 Track Gift Card plus 1 FREE Track ride and a $30 Tanger gift card plus a Tanger coupon book – a retail value of over $75 for $60!  This is just the encouragement you need to get that Christmas shopping done and ride some go-karts too! (yes, check out The Track’s operating schedule – at least one location is open daily from November 18th-27th, Saturdays and Sundays in December, as well as daily from December 26th-31st).

So, if you are coming to Branson to shop before Christmas this year, this is a must-get deal for you!  But, even if you are not coming to Branson to shop before Christmas this year, this is STILL a must-get deal for you!  What?  Yes, The Track will ship this package to you for FREE, and you can use it the next time you come to Branson.  What a deal!

But please do not procrastinate (remember, It.Never.Ends.Well) . . . the Track-and-Tanger Gift Package offer expires on November 27th!  Happy Shopping!

Amy, a mom with the "inside track," and her daughters.

Are you going to be in Branson this coming weekend?  If not, you might want to reconsider!

Listen to this . . . Balloons Over Branson Creek

This new event made my “Top Ten Reasons Fall in Branson Rocks!” list, and since it is coming up this weekend, I thought I’d take a few minutes to remind you to make plans to come!

First things first . . . you need to know that you’re too late.  Too late, that is, to attend the VIP Kick-Off Party on Friday night.  That’s right – it’s sold out.  And, I can tell you that that fact is a pretty good indication that people are really excited about this event.  And, that it’s going to be a lot of fun!

But, don’t worry!  There is plenty of family fun to be had all day on Saturday.  In fact, if you are one of those lucky parents who have kids who get up before 6:00 a.m., you are really in luck.  You see, the event kicks-off with the morning “Balloon Glow” at 6:00 a.m. (don’t worry, there is another one at dusk!).  Now, I don’t pretend to know exactly what this “Balloon Glow” entails, but I’m pretty sure it will be quite a sight!

So, even if you don’t get there to witness that before-the-crack-of-dawn glow, you should still come on out to enjoy the day.  There is something for everyone!  Check this out:

• For hungry (and crafty) people . . . Food and Craft Vendors are open from 6:00 – 11:00 a.m. and again from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.

• For people who like a little friendly competition . . . Balloon Launch & Competition with Branson Celebrities in Balloons from 7:00 – 9:00 a.m.

• For our furry friends (and their owners) . . . Branson Parks & Rec Department Dog Walk on trails at Branson Creek at 10:00 a.m.

• For people who like a little adventure . . . Powered Parachutes and Sky Divers at 4:30 p.m.

• For those people for didn’t get up in time to see the first one . . . Balloon Glow at dusk.

• For movie enthusiasts . . . UP on the Outdoor Big Screen at 8:00 p.m.

So now do you see why you don’t want to miss this!  For more details, visit the event website at www.balloonsoverbransoncreek.com.  Have a GREAT time!

Amy, a mom with the "inside track," and her daughters.

Gone are the days when I felt it necessary to inform you of all the ways to stay cool during your time at The Track.  Oh, yes.  We are now officially into the full swing of fall . . . weather and all (wow, that rhymes!).

Though each season has its perks, I must say that Fall is pretty much on the top of my list. In fact, I’m feeling inspired to give you my “Top Ten Reasons Fall in Branson Rocks.” So, without further ado, let this inspire you to get out and enjoy our little town this Fall:

1)  Near-Perfect Weather! You know exactly what I mean . . . light sweater needed in the morning, short-sleeves perfect by noon.  And, might I mention that this is perfect GO-KARTING WEATHER!  Multiple Track locations are open every weekend in October, and Track 3 is open during the week.  Click here for the operating schedule.

2)  Beautiful Fall Color! We are yet to see just how vibrant the fall leaves will turn out to be, but it’s always fun to anticipate.  My favorite spot for seeing absolutely AMAZING color is at the Ozarks Memorial Park (yes, it’s a cemetery) on East Highway 76.  My everyday life does not take me over to that side of town very often, but you can be sure that I take a drive over there each fall!  Of course, even driving down Highway 65, you can get amazing views of the vast hillsides of trees starting to try on their fall color.  It will be a few weeks until the leaves are at their peak, and I can’t wait!  Check this out this link for Fall Foliage Driving Tours of the Ozarks.

3)  Andy’s Frozen Custard Pumpkin Pie Concrete! Seriously, did you think I could get very far down a “Top Ten” list without mentioning Andy’s?  This concrete is one not to miss.  They take an entire piece of REAL pumpkin pie and mix it into vanilla custard.  Oh. My. Goodness.  You just have to try it.

4)  Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte (while we’re on the food theme)!  Did you know that our little ole’ town has THREE Starbucks locations – near the Branson Landing, in the Target off of Branson Hills Expressway, and the newest location in the Country Mart on Highway 248/Shepherd of the Hills Expressway.  This mean you are never too far away!

5)  Silver Dollar City’s National Harvest Festival! This festival includes everything you love about SDC plus hundreds of visiting American craftsmen!  Wow – every time we visit, I am impressed by the variety and creativity of these artists!  This is a GREAT place to get a jump-start on your Christmas shopping.  And, did you know that you can shop away without worrying about lugging your purchases around the park all day?  That’s right.  Silver Dollar City will hold onto your packages until you are ready to leave the park.  Now, that’s service!  Also, don’t forget about the new-this-year Half Dollar Holler for your kids ages 3-7.  You don’t want to miss this!

6)  The Presleys’ Country Jubilee Show! Ok, I admit that this really has nothing to do with Fall.  But, this is still a really great show!  And, did you know that if you have a Track Go-Card, you will save $5 off of the Family Pass?  So, if you’ve never seen this show (or even if you have!), take some time this fall to go.  It’s sure to be a good time!

7)  McKenna Family Farm! So, you probably wouldn’t find this unless you got a tip from a local . . . so consider this your lucky day!  This is a great little farm complete with a pumpkin patch, hayrides, corn maze and fun activities for kids of all ages.  They also have fire pits where you can have a cookout / picnic . . . pretty much everything you need for an awesome family outing!  Enjoy!

8)  Branson Attractions with a Fall Twist! Seriously, I love how many of the attractions in Branson tailor their experiences to reflect the season.  Case in point, Ride the Ducks.  For the month of October, your family can experience “Ducks Go Boo,” which is a nighttime duck adventure with a few thrills and chills!  Try it if you dare!

9)  Titanic Museum Attraction’s Special Fall Events! – The Titanic always has something fun going on for families, and this October is no different.  First, this coming weekend (October 7th-9th), bring your family out to the 4th Annual Chainsaw Sculpting Event.  As you may have guessed, there will be professional woodcarvers from all over the country making amazing things out of blocks of wood and their trusty chainsaws – very impressive!  And, this event is FREE!  Then, come on back the next Saturday (October 15th) for the 2nd Annual Titanic Firehouse & Charity Chili Cookoff.  So, there are a couple of things I love about this event.  The first is a no-brainer . . . lots of great chili!  The second, however, is something you might not even realize about our community . . . Branson has some of the greatest firefighters and service-focused charities you could ever imagine, and this event highlights those wonderful service providers.  In fact, those groups are the ones competing for the coveted “Best Chili” prize!  Don’t miss it!

10)  New Events at Branson Creek! If you haven’t ever driven over to Branson Creek, which is located just south of Hollister off of Highway 65 and on the way to the Branson Airport, you need to go take a look!  The scenery is absolutely beautiful AND they are always coming up with unique events to offer the community.  Their next upcoming event is no exception . . . Balloons over Branson Creek on October 21st and 22nd.  What?!, you may ask.  No, we’re not talking bunches of latex balloons filling the sky; we’re talking masses of hot air balloons soaring over the Ozark Mountains!  Of course, there will be plenty of other entertainment throughout the day that your entire family is sure to enjoy.  Are you wondering how I can be so confident that this will be a spectacular festival?  Well, the town I grew up in had a huge Balloon Fest every year that impressed just about everyone who came through.  I’m pretty sure this will be the same!

So, there you have it.  You’re ready to have some BIG Fall Fun in Branson!  Enjoy!