An Ozark Moutain Christmas proves popular--again and again and again

Northwestern Financial Review, Sep 1-Sep 14, 2002 by Hilgert, Jackie

Some say Branson, Missouri's, pride can be found at any one of its 49 theaters which serve up live entertainment as patriotic as apple pie and old glory. But bank club leaders who've marketed and led trips to Branson year after year will tell you differently. The pride of Branson is undoubtedly a creation called the Ozark Mountain Christmas and a group tour scheduled between early-November and Christmas Eve promises to be the easiest trip you'll ever sell.

"Branson is always a fun place to go," says Pat Higgins, First National Bank, Okmulgee, Okla. "I have been every season and I've got to say Christmas season is the most spectacular. I think anyone would enjoy the spirit of the season," she added.

That spirit, or as Branson's promoters say, "putting Christ back in Christmas," is palpable at all Branson venues. Seasonal spirit is incorporated into most of the area's shows during the holidays, according to Mandy Schwarz of the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. "All the acts, even Yakov, incorporate the gospel into their shows. During the holidays most shows set aside much of their regular act and put on something very special for Christmas," Schwarz added.

"We've been to Branson lots of times during the Christmas season," says Laura Kammarmeyer, 1st State Bank, Manchester, Iowa. "I have a hard time going any other time because Christmas is so special. I think the reason is simple. The people in Branson "get" what Christmas is really all about and they are unashamed of celebrating the joy of Christ's birth."

Branson at Christmastime does have a special feel to it. Could that feeling be nostalgia? Jan Haffner, club leader at Advance Bank, Homewood, Ill., thinks so. "Seniors like [Branson] because it puts them in the holiday spirit and for some it helps get them through what might be a difficult season if they don't have family or if they have lost a loved one," Haffner noted.

Of course, you don't have to be a senior to crave the good old days, defined lately as pre-Sept. 11. In Branson, patriotism is worn on the sleeve, and Americans who have shied away from traveling abroad are thinking warm thoughts about Branson.

And what could warm a heart more on a chilly November evening than a drive through Branson's millions of lighted holiday decorations? At sunset, Branson glows. Lights twinkle from every tree branch and bungalow from one end of town to the other. It's an amazing transformation that's as popular as ever as record numbers of visitors are expected this holiday season.

The 1880s theme-park, Silver Dollar City boasts 2 million lights on property and the Branson Festival of Lights Parkway drive-through offers thousands of colorful displays sure to capture the imagination. "The holiday lights were incredible," says Judith Stoffer, Humboldt Bank, Eureka, Calif., about a trip her club took last December. "There must have been millions so a drive around is a must."

"My people enjoy the Christmas decorations, lighting and the shows," says Mary Jean Hagedorn, Good Life Club Director, West Point, Neb. "It seems to put everyone in a holiday spirit."

But are twinkling lights and Andy Williams enough to put a top tourist area over the top? Yes! Jackie Morehead, director at First Iowa State Bank, Albia, Iowa, took a coach to Branson last November. "We took 30 folks who loved the big Christmas shows, Shoji, Dino, Yakov, Welk," she said. "We planned a springtime trip and had to cancel due to lack of interest. The Christmas shows are the favorites." Patty Paul at First Citizens National Bank in Mason City, Iowa, had a similar experience. "The Heritage Club at First Citizens National Bank ran a trip to Branson in the spring once, with little interest, so it seems that North Iowa prefers Branson during the holidays," Paul said. "The lights, the Christmas shows, and the added glitter of the Christmas season seem to be the magic that draws our members to this most popular destination."

So what's important to remember about traveling to Branson during the holidays?

First of all, it won't be a "white Christmas," which is a definite advantage for travelers from the north. "The weather is quite nice during the holidays," says Schwarz. "Expect mild days and cool nights." Hagedorn likes to go right after Thanksgiving. "We go automatically every other year with a full bus," she says. "The weather is always nice and it is a break before the hustle and bustle of the holidays."

Mild weather, and three area outlet malls, also can enable the closet Santa. Make sure you plan enough shopping time and don't forget that Silver Dollar City offers unique gifts and handmade crafts that make special holiday gifts.

Ozark Mountain Sightseeing, a local receptive, or any of the HCI Preferred Tour Operators that specialize in domestic travel, like CTN Travels, Flemming Tours, Mayflower Tours or Travelnet, can help you put together a well-rounded Ozark Mountain Christmas tour.