Branson, Missouri is thrilled to see the Grand County marathon kicked off this year, with registration almost full! The race is family-friendly—people of all ages are encouraged to attend and participate!
A Noble Cause
Not just a fun community event, the Grand County Half Marathon will be benefiting the Branson Education Foundation. This organization devotes itself to the cause of local education, providing grant money for both teachers and students. If you think scholarships are too few, if you think students should have their notebooks paid for, and if you think teachers shouldn’t need to pay for new educational materials out of their own pocket, then this is the race to run!
What’s in It for Me?
Of course, it’s rare for someone to push themselves to such limits out of the goodness of their heart! That’s why all runners will receive a shirt, bag, and custom water bottle just for participating! Those who finish will earn themselves a finisher’s medal as well as a snazzy cowboy hat, and special awards will recognize not only the overall winners, but also those in each age group. There will also be food and drink after the face to help you recuperate from your feat of stamina!
When?
October is right around the corner, and October 2nd is the day of the race! On Saturday, October 1st, runners will pick up their packets at the information expo, open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. The half-marathon begins the next day at 7 a.m., with the 5K starting fifteen minutes later.
What Is the Race Itself?
It’s a lovely run along the calm waters downstream of Rockaway Beach, heading along Promenade Way and circling around Boardwalk and a loop around Parnell Park. There’s a 535 ft. total gain in elevation along the way.
It’s a perfect time for it, too—with October in the air, runners should avoid overheating but also don’t need to worry about numb extremities. Plus, the touch of foliage changing colors adds a great backdrop—a peaceful contrast with the intensity of the competition.
Sign Me Up!
All registration is done online—head to http://race.grandcountry.com/ to sign up. Just click the “Register Now” button at the bottom of the page!
Book with Us!
While Grand Country Resort, as host of the event, naturally encourages participants to stay with them, maybe a hotel isn’t your thing? Is a continental breakfast really enough to prepare you for a 5K, or would you prefer to make a hearty breakfast in your own kitchen? If you’ll be in town, whether for a weekend or a week, then consider staying in your own home-away-from-home. No matter what else you have planned for your trip, we’ve got a place nearby. Check out our listings and see all the benefits of staying with us!
While Branson offers shows and attractions, there are also many wonderful concerts, festivals and other special events that you can enjoy. Here’s a look at some of the upcoming events during September and October
September 14-30 — Branson Landings Summer Concert Series
Enjoy live concerts at historic downtown Branson Landing. The upcoming schedule includes acts by the Dan Benton Band and others.
September 14-Oct 29 — National Harvest and Cowboy Festival
This is the largest festival of its kind in the country! Come out and see demonstrations from craftsmen presenting a salute to the Great American Cowboy. The festival features the Silver Dollar City Wild West Show, trick riding, roping and more!
September 14-December 10 — Moses Behind the Scenes Tour
The Sight & Sound Theatre presents this entertaining and educational tour about the show.
September 15-17 — 43rd Autumn Daze Arts, Crafts and Music Festival
This three-day festival features crafts, entertainment, food and more in Historic Downtown Branson. You’ll enjoy free musical entertainment and a variety of crafts, quilts, clothing, jewelry and so much more. Don’t miss the celebrity autograph booth!
September 16- October 29 — Zip and Sip
You’ll arrive at the venue aboard Parakeet Pete’s Waterfront Zipline, where you’ll soar over Lake Taneycomo to the SKY Deck. Sit back and enjoy the live music while sipping cocktails — all with a gorgeous natural backdrop.
September 16-October 1 — Pete and Dave Presented by Copper Run Fall Concert Series
Enjoy the fall weather at the Copper Run Distillery with live music, food, drinks, and of course fun!
September 17 — Wine and Cheese Tasting and Country Music to Benefit St. Jude’s
This special event is part of the Zip and Sip series. However, this special day will feature a wine and cheese tasting, and will benefit the Jane Pitt Pediatric Cancer Clinic at Mercy Kids
September 20-October 25 — Branson Farmers’ Market
Located in the Branson Landing’s south parking lot, this farmers’ market offers locally grown produce and handmade products. Find strawberries, zucchini, carrots, cucumbers and many other tasty finds. Take home handmade soaps, candles, candies, and more!
At Sunset Nightly Rentals, we are more than happy to help you find the best events for you and your group. We can also help you get more information, tickets or reservations for any of our wonderful events and attractions.
There are few better places to celebrate the arrival of autumn than in the picturesque natural backdrop of the Ozarks—particularly in the beautiful city of Branson, Missouri, where the changing leaves and crisp breezes blanket the mountainsides and leave a refreshing chill in the air. Further still, few events in Branson embody the season like the National Harvest and Cowboy Festival, where an amalgamation of over one hundred musicians, artists, craftsmen, performers, and more showcase their wares and talents in the midst of Branson’s most unique local amusement park: Silver Dollar City, an Ozarks-themed park that has its own set of one hundred brilliant craftsmen.
See acts and shows that have a flair that only Branson can provide, including Silver Dollar City’s Wild West Show, the classic old-fashioned barn dance, and wild mustangs—whether they’re putting on a show or getting a makeover from expert horse trainer Fred Woehl! Other delights include a distinct brand of cowboy poetry, stories, and music from the likes of Chris Isaacs and Kent Rollins, vibrant Western art from cowboy artist and Gunsmoke star Buck Taylor’s Cowboy Emporium, and hundreds of crafts and souvenirs to commemorate quality craftsmanship and the magnificence of Fall.
Hours of Admission and Ticket Prices
This wonderful festival is held from September 14 – October 29, 2016 in Silver Dollar City, open from 10:00am to 6:00pm on select days (which are subject to change, depending on the season; be sure to call and verify whether the park is open), and where park ticket prices are broken down as follows:
• Child (ages 4 – 11): $50.00
• Adult (ages 12 – 61): $61.00
• Senior (ages 62+): $59.00
• Season Pass (all ages): $45.00 + tax
Coca-Cola is also running a special promotion for children’s park entrance fees, perfectly timed for the National Harvest and Cowboy Festival. From now through October 29th (with the exception of September 10th and September 24th), young park-goers’ tickets (for ages 4 through 11) cost just $20.00 plus tax. The ticket price is valid for any one day of operation until the end of the promotion, with entrance after 3:00pm qualifying for the next day free.
Sunset Nightly Rentals Can Keep You Cozy During Your Visit to Branson!
Our luxurious vacation properties range from quaint cabins and comfy condos to enormous lodges and vast homes, ensuring that you will find the perfect accommodations to fit the needs of your vacation. Our vacation rentals are well-maintained, and our superior customer service sets us apart from our competition. Contact our reservation specialists to learn more about the National Harvest and Cowboy Festival and what else Branson has in-store for you when you book one of our elite vacation rentals today!
What could possibly make your vacation in the beautiful city of Branson—the entertainment capital of the Ozarks—even better? How about experiencing the sights of Branson in an entirely new and unique way?
Vacationers coming to Branson can explore the city and jump into the Pokémon Go experience at the same time by visiting the many Pokéstops and Gyms in the area, often housed in the area’s most interesting attractions and gorgeous parks. Read on to find out where to go for the best Pokémon hunting, and even where to go afterwards!
Branson’s Best Places to Play Pokémon Go
Below, we’ve compiled a brief list of some of the most entertaining destinations for Pokémon hunting in Branson. We hope that you enjoy these locations and their incredible sightseeing opportunities as much as we do!
Tanger Outlets
There are several Poké-stops at Tanger Outlets, including stops at Shopper Services and at the lovely mural inside of the A&W Restaurant within the mall. Tanger Outlets also occasionally hosts Pokémon Go events, during which lure modules (which draw in Pokémon, often rarer than the usual Pokémon that appear) are placed and event attendees can receive complimentary coupon books for the stores nearby.
After your hunting excursion, you can stop (or stay, if you’re already at the Pokéstop there) at A&W for a refreshing soda, Harry & David for a warm, flaky pastry and other gourmet samplings, or King Subs & Deli for a tasty craft sandwich. For a sweet treat, make sure you visit The Fudgery and try their diverse selection of fudges and desserts.
Branson Landing
A popular destination for Pokémon hunting, Branson Landing has a number of Pokéstops, as well as nearby entertainment and dining options. Being right on the shore of Lake Taneycomo, Branson Landing is an ideal location for catching water-type Pokémon, like adorable fish Pokémon Magikarp, who can evolve into the mighty dragon Pokémon Gyarados once you’ve caught enough Magikarp to earn the right amount of candy and stardust. A group of local Pokémon Go players meets here nightly, and all-inclusive events are held on a regular basis.
When you’re finished catching Pokémon for the time being, grab a bite to eat at Big Whiskey’s American Restaurant & Bar, Black Oak Grill, or White River Fish House. You can even have a great cocktail or brew at Clear, Ernie Biggs Dueling Piano Bar & Grille, or Waxy O’Shea’s Irish Pub. Be sure to check out the spectacular fountain show while you’re in the area, which features water features set to music, lights, movement, and fire!
Titanic Museum
Another popular locale for Pokémon Go players, the Titanic Museum is not only a gym where you can earn experience points for leveling-up and coins for placing your Pokémon in the gym when you defeat it, but it’s also the sight of a multitude of fun Pokémon Go events. During these special events, players can search for Pokémon inside of the museum, attending the attraction for a discounted rate.
For your post-Pokémon hunt fun, check out the Titanic Museum itself, as well as the new nearby rides at Bigfoot on the Strip! Bigfoot on the Strip will also have a food court full of high-quality, gourmet food trucks that might not otherwise be accessible in Branson.
Make Sure to Rest Up After Your Pokémon Adventure!
The next best, restful thing compared to a Pokémon Center? A stay in one of the luxurious private vacation rentals available through Sunset Nightly Rentals. Between lavish amenities, spacious floor plans, and well-maintained properties of all types and sizes to suit your needs, our vacation rental properties afford visitors the opportunity to make their Branson vacation the most fun and relaxing that it can possibly be, while our superior customer service seals the deal.
Contact one of our reservation specialists to learn more about what entertainment and sight-seeing Branson has in store for you when you book one of our elite, multi-bedroom vacation properties for your next vacation today!