This is the amusement park that has been a part of Branson for decades - not your typical amusement park. Oh, it has some rides, but it is more about the live music entertainment and unique 1880 crafts (glass blowing, leather work, furniture making). There is a "theme" that changes regularly; in the past, we have been here when they have been celebrating "Harvest Fest," or "Music From Around The World," or other themes. Currently, the park is celebrating Southern Gospel Music.
One change we noticed as we pulled in: they used to have free parking. They still do. Not particularly close to the entrance gate. That would now be "Preferred Parking"... for $15. I would prefer that they didn't charge for that. There is a shuttle that takes you from stops throughout the various parking lots to the entrance.
The park opens at 10:00. In the past, we have gotten there shortly after 9:00 and have gone to Molly's Mill Restaurant in the park for a breakfast buffet, and then head into the park when it opens. This morning, by going in just as the park was opening, we had Molly's pretty much to ourselves.
After eating, I said to Joan, "I am stuffed - we probably want to avoid any 'puke rides' for now." Of course, the first thing we came to was one of their roller coasters...
Yeah, we did. The crowd was really light - we walked right up to the coast to get on. No line.
We watched one of the glass blowers giving a demonstration...
We discussed our timing: kids are already in school, the autumn bus tours haven't kicked in, yet. Using the park newspaper that includes a map and a schedule of the entertainment at the various venues, we decided to check out some of the gospel groups...
Yep, there's the crowd. Fortunately, it is a good size auditorium for our first show and we had less than a 5 minute wait to get seated. Southern Gospel isn't my style, but like listening to some country music in Nashville, I can appreciate any music when it is well done. Every concert we saw today was outstanding...
The above were all in different venues. We walked around the park, taking in the sights...
And, stopped for some funnel cake. More music, another ride ("a runaway mine car"), then went to the saloon to see something other than gospel music...
It's a hokey, but funny, bit with dance hall girls, a goofy guy, and a gun slinger. And, they sell root beer floats at the bar.
We walked around a bit more, then decided to call it a day. Heading out...
The guy who has the concession selling whatever that is came out and told me, "No photographs! I am the artist and I don't want you copying my work!" I let him know that I was just photographing my wife as we walk out... his response: "Well, you can take photos somewhere else - you don't need to take them here!" Not the usual friendly manner we've come to expect here.
We decided to take the long way back to the RV park, driving what was at one time, the only road through town. A new road to get there...
Whoa! 19% grade? That is steep...
There was some discussion about how to photograph that road. One of us knows how to get the shot and is willing to explain it to the other one of us who thinks she knows how to get the shot...
;-)
Onto the old road through the touristy stuff, we were impressed by how they have updated the roads and how all the businesses look good. Since it is a lot of the same stuff as in the more modern looking Pigeon Forge, Branson has to keep up. It looks good around here. Touristy, but decent.
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