Branson’s Third Annual Holiday Promenade of Stars will roll down Branson’s Highway 76 Strip on Saturday, November 7th beginning at 10:30 a.m. BransonWebcast.com Hosts Dave Hamner and Jim Barber will be among the many Branson celebrities featured in the parade.

Entertainment legend Andy Williams is serving as Grand Marshall and singers Jimmy Osmond and Debbie Boone are serving as Hosts for the television special being made during the 1.4 mile-long parade that ushers in the Christmas season in the Live Music Show Capital of the World. The parade route begins at White Water and ends at the Grand Village Shops.

Along with Williams, Osmond and Boone, will be country music artist Neal McCoy, the Lennon Sisters & Brothers, Tony Orlando and Cathy Rigby as Peter Pan.

Also performing on the television stage are Clay Cooper, Johnny Lonestar, Penny Gilley, Jeff Brandt, the Haygoods, Todd Oliver & Irving, and Jim Barber & Seville from the Hamner Barber Variety Show. Also featured are the Knudsen Brothers, also known as SIX; Showstoppers! from the Showboat Branson Belle; the “Spirit of Christmas” dancers; and the cast of “A Dickens’ Christmas Carol” from Silver Dollar City. The Baldknobbers, Blues Brothers from “Legends in Concert,” and the Branson High School Cheerleaders are also scheduled for stage appearances.

The television broadcast schedule is for Thanksgiving and Christmas day to an estimated 102 million plus households across the nation. In the Springfield/Branson area the parade special will be televised on KSFX Ozarks FOX. In Branson on The Vacation Channel it will be aired six times: Thanksgiving Day at 8 a.m., Nov. 27 at 8 p.m., Nov. 28 at 8 p.m., Nov. 29 at 8 a.m., Nov. 30 at 8 p.m., and Christmas Eve at 8 p.m. National broadcasts are on RFD-TV and Retro Television Network. RFD-TV is carried on several satellite and cable providers including over 625 independent cable operators to 42 million households and Retro Television Network is seen in 17 of the top 25 markets to more than 60 million households on nearly 100 stations in cities such as Pittsburg, Atlanta, Seattle, Orlando, St. Louis and Boston, according to Nielsen ratings.

Produced by Midwest Concerts & Events, LLC, the Holiday Prominade of Stars promises to be a highlight of the many Ozark Mountain Christmas events planned this November and December.

For more information: HolidayProminadeOfStars.com, Midwest Concerts & Events

Dutton Family Plans Fundraiser For Island Fire

The tragic Samoan earthquake and tsunami have brought tears and heartache to Branson, as the tragedy became personal for the Samoan performers in the Island Fire Show at the Dutton Family Theater.

Iefata Saoleititi and his wife Rachel were celebrating the September 22nd birth of their baby daughter Deanna Marguerite when they received the news that their two year old son, Iefata Jr., perished in the disaster. The boy had been staying with Iefata’s parents in Samoa during the Island Fire performance season.

The Saoleititi’s are planning to return to Samoa on October 6th, provided they can arrange for an emergency issuance of a passport for baby Deanna. Branson City Administrator, Dean Kruithoff, has already contacted Senator Bond’s office for assistance in the matter. Dean and Alderman Cris Bohinc visited with the grief-stricken family today to offer their condolences and support.

Bella Dutton, the wife of Jonathan and a native of Samoa, announced that there will be a Island Fire Show fundraiser held at the Dutton Theater on Saturday, October 3rd at 8 PM. She told us, “Our Island Fire performers felt a need to present their show on Saturday night in an effort to raise money for Iefata and Rachel to return home to Samoa, as well as covering the burial expenses. Flights to Samoa, particularly at the last minute, are very expensive. Tickets will be $10 and all proceeds will go towards helping the Saoleititi’s. Those wishing to have the Island Fire meal that is normally included with a full priced ticket may purchase it for an additional $10 per person. Any additional funds will be directed to helping the other performers who have lost family, friends, and homes.”

Another performer, Poinsettia (Tia) Taefu was awaiting word on her sister who was missing when she received a call saying that her sister was safe. The relief was short-lived when she was then told that her cousin’s three children had perished. Tia’s home and village was also destroyed, as was the home and village of fellow performer Luisa Tagomoa.

Bad news also reached other performers, including Hanson Simi Paialii, Jr., Malakai Lavatai, and Salele Moeai, along with Belle Dutton, as they learned of extended family members that died in the disaster.

Aside from the fundraiser this Saturday, Sheila Dutton told us, “We have also established a relief fund to help all of the families of our Island Fire performers. Anyone wishing to contribute can make donations at the Dutton Family Theater Box Office, bring them to the fundraising event, or deposit them to the fund at Ozark Mountain Bank in the “Island Fire Family Relief Fund. We have arranged to keep the fund open throughout the remainder of the Island Fire Season which runs through first week of December.”

Tickets for the event may be purchased by calling the Dutton Family Theater Box Office at 417-332-2772.

Donate to the Island Fire Family Relief Fund

Grape Stomp Host - Jim Barber

The 11th Annual Hollister Grape and Fall Festival promises to be the juiciest ever!

The fun happens this Saturday, September 26th, 2009 on Historic Downing Street in downtown Hollister, Missouri. The event originated in the early 1900s to celebrate the annual grape harvest, as local growers shipped their produce to markets via the railroads. This weekend’s version features live music and entertainment, great food, a wine-tasting garden, crafts, children’s activities, and the highlight of the festival, the Grape Stomping Contest hosted for the fourth year in a row by Branson entertainer Jim Barber from the Hamner Barber Variety Show.

Jim Barber encourages Mayor Tate at the Grape Stomp

Admission if FREE and the FOOD is GREAT!

The GRAPE STOMP begins at 2pm under the big tent! This is one of the highlights of the entire event and should not be missed. Local dignitaries act as the official judges and host Jim Barber keeps the juice flowing as the contestants stomp their way to glory and the chance to win the coveted “Ugly Monkey Award.”

Interested in Competing in the Stomp?  Download an Entry Form and Sign up TODAY! Teams are limited. Please call the Hollister Chamber at 417-334-3050 or info@hollisterchamber.net to confirm space availability before registering.

A Full Day of Fun for Everyone!

The excitement begins at 10:00 AM and doesn’t stop until 7:00 PM.  There will be lots of LIVE ENTERTAINMENT on the big stage and well as many fun CHILDRENS ACTIVITIES, CRAFT BOOTHS, a BIKE RIDE, and WINE TASTING.

Thanks to the Event Sponsors

Brought to you by the Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Hollister, and the following community partners:

Branson Ridge Winery, KRZK – Branson’s Hometown Country Station, Ozark Mountain Bank, St. John’s Health System, The Shepherd of the Hills, Ozark Technical College, KOMC – Music Memories and More, Empire District Electric, CenturyTel, A-1 Audio, All Occasions Event Rental, Connell Insurance, Family Pharmacy, Downing Street Furniture, Walgreens, Complete Mobile Home Center, Corporate Business Systems, Service Master, Akers & Arney Insurance, Metro Design and Construction, Parade of Homes, The Spirits Shop, American Family Insurance, First Community Bank, Shelter Insurance, Gerken & Associates Realtors.

And Now… The Grape Lady Music Video

Here’s something you most likely WON’T see at this event. This was created from an actual incident that happened on live TV, but don’t worry, she recovered from her fall. By the way, the Hollister grape vats have a safety handrail to avoid this type of thing.

The American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) will light the fuse on its Annual Meeting and Convention in Branson, Missouri this weekend. What can you expect to experience from this premier trade association of the fireworks industry? Dazzling fireworks displays like none other and an amazing trade show where fireworks retailers, importers and suppliers show off their latest wares.

According to APA Executive Director, Julie L. Heckman, “We are delighted to bring our annual convention to Branson, where we have felt so welcome by that beloved mid-west Missouri spirit. Missouri is a fireworks-friendly state, allowing the full array of consumer fireworks which are stringently regulated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, for sale and use by the general public.”

During the APA convention, professional fireworks companies from all over the world (U.S., Canada, Mexico, China, Italy, Australia, Spain, United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Japan) will gather to learn the latest in safety, display design, choreography and regulatory requirements. They will hear from local speakers: Mayor Raeanne Presley, and Jim Hagale, CEO of Bass Pro Shops, on how the fireworks industry supports the local economy; and from U.S. Congress Representative, Roy Blunt, along with a variety of U.S. Federal regulators on legislative and compliance initiatives. “Most people only think about fireworks one day a year, July 4th, but the fireworks industry is an incredibly complicated and stringently regulated industry,” said Ms. Heckman.

In Branson, locals can enjoy two wonderful evenings of fireworks displays produced by APA members. Friday, September 25, 2009, APA members will be firing up the sky at The Branson Landing, a $425 million dollar waterfront shopping, dining and entertainment destination located in Historic Downtown Branson along the beautiful Lake Taneycomo. The evening’s festivities will kick off at 8:00 p.m. with a LIVE Concert featuring performances by Clay Cooper & The Clay Cooper Music Express Band with special guest stars, Collin Raye, Barbara Fairchild, Dusty Rogers and Liverpool Legends.

What to look for…

At approximately 9:15 p.m. a beautifully orchestrated “close proximity” / roof top fireworks display, choreographed to a lively “gaming” theme, and at 10:15 p.m. a grand fireworks finale on the waterfront fired from a barge featuring a tribute to “Beatles Love” – followed by an unforgettable live performance from the Liverpool Legends, who together provide the Ultimate Beatles Tribute Show.

On Saturday, the APA will open its trade show to the general public (admission is free) from 9 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Hilton Branson Convention Center. And the big signature showcase, or APA’s fireworks finale, will occur on Saturday night at 9:45 pm at Moon Shine Beach (located near Table Rock Dam), fired over Table Rock Lake, in honor of the 50th Anniversary of Table Rock Dam. The Missouri Department of Transportation, Missouri Highway Patrol and U.S. Army Corp of Engineers will oversee access and parking in the area.

Ms. Heckman said, “We look forward to our time in Branson and we hope to delight the community with amazing fireworks that leave a lasting impression for all, fireworks at their finest! Please join us and see what the premier trade association of the fireworks industry, APA, has to offer.”

The APA is the leading trade association of the fireworks industry. The APA supports and promotes safety standards for all aspects of fireworks. The APA has a diverse membership including regulated and licensed manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, importers, suppliers and professional public display companies.

Saturday, October 3, 2009, will be THE night to Party with The Stars!!

The League of Branson Theatre Owners & Show Producers and Branson.com invite the public and everyone who lives and/or works in Taney or Stone County to join us as we Celebrate 50 Years of Live Music Shows and…

…the people who made it all possible!

For more information, visit PartyWithTheStars.com!

To all of those who’ve worked to keep the hospitality and rich traditions of Ozark Mountain Country and who’ve strived to make Branson, Missouri the “Live Music Show Capital of the World”, this is our night to share as a community with your fellow stars!

Join us Saturday, October 3, 2009, beginning at 9:00pm until ?, at the Chateau On The Lake.

Party events include:

 Live Band

Hors d’oeuvres

Red Carpet

Silent Auctions

Wall of Fame

Special Presentations

Appearances from Branson Favorites

Cash Beverage Bar

Fun & Games including Branson-style Karaoke

Dance Contest

Guitar Hero, and more…

For those living and/or working in Taney or Stone County cost is $15* at the door OR you can purchase tickets now from Branson.com for only $9.95* per person.

General admission price is $29.99*

With your ticket you’ll receive a special Party With The Stars Souvenir Book along with a great evening of Ozarks’ fun! 

For more information, visit PartyWithTheStars.com!