One of the largest gatherings of demonstrating craftsmen and artists in America.
BRANSON, Mo., September 11, 2012 — “The U.S. Congress has proclaimed Silver Dollar City as ‘The Home of American Craftsmanship’ and its National Harvest Festival, running from September 13 – October 27, illustrates why,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “Featuring one of the largest gatherings of demonstrating artisans and craftsmen from all over the country, The National Harvest Festival is one of America’s most recognized craft festivals.”
“A major ‘focus’ during the National Harvest Festival is craftsmanship, as the park features 125 top craftsmen from around the country, with more new crafters this year than ever before.” This provides a unique opportunity to see demonstrating craftsmen demonstrating their craftsmanship on American crafts at one of the largest gatherings of demonstrating craftsmen and artists in America. See crafts such as weaving, glass blowing, knife making, Native American flutes and dozens of others as well as Best of Missouri Hands juried artists and the Made in Missouri Art Faire show and competition.
The Festival will feature the “Salute to the Great American Cowboy” featuring “The Pinkerton Man,” an original brand new Western stunt show production. The action filled show will follow the ” classic defender-versus-villain story, including hero fights, 3-story falls, high-flying stunts and rapid-slide rappels, explosions and more, with professional stunt men and women leading a cast of 14, plus live animals. The production, presented within the 4,000-seat Echo Hollow Amphitheatre — the only venue big enough for all the action, also features comedy and original live music performed by the Sons of the Silver Dollar.” Marty Schmitt, Festival Coordinator, said, “The amphitheater explodes with action, energy, pyrotechnics and, at times, chaos — a live demonstration of how action stunts put thrills in entertainment!”
“The Pinkerton Man,” an original brand new Western stunt show production, is filled with action and excitement.
The Salute’s entertainment also includes Western musicians such as “double-Grammy-winning musicians and 7-time Western Music Association’s (WMA) ‘Entertainers Of the Year’ Riders in the Sky, multiple WMA Award winners The Sons of the San Joaquin, singer-songwriter and Texas poet laureate Red Steagall, three-part-harmony and violin trio The Quebe Sisters Band, and others. Throughout September guests can join in Missouri’s Biggest Barn Dance “with live music by Les Gilliam & his Silver Lake Band.
The Great American Cowboy Salute theme continues including Buck Taylor a legendary Western star and water color artist hosting “Buck Taylor’s Cowboy Emporium,” September 19 – October 27; meet and greets with Western celebrities from movies and TV shows including “The Rifleman,” “The Lawman” and “McLintock,” including Edward Faulkner, Johnny Washbrook, Mark Goddard, Lee Aaker, James Hampton and Peter Brown; Chuck wagon cooks and historians, historians and chefs, including Kent Rollins, a cattle rancher and chuck wagon cook ,whose talents have landed him on the Food Network’s “Chopped” and “Throwdown with Bobby Flay,” demonstrating trail-side cooking ; “‘Extreme Mustang Makeovers’ where mustang expert Fred Woehl tames and trains three wild mustangs during the festival; trick horse stunts, trick roping; bullwhip demonstrations and “Cowboy Poets including Waddie Mitchell.”
The Harvest Festival will be replete with the aromas and tastes of the “Fall.” This will include favorites ” such as homemade soups and stews, smoked turkey legs and hearty skillet meals cooked on open grills.” as well as the other wonderful foods served through the park on a day to day basis.
“All of the activities involved with the Festival are in addition to everything else Silver Dollar City offers on a daily basis,” said . Branson Tourism Center’s Johnson. The 1880’s international award winning theme park features 30 rides and attractions encompassing everything from “Wildfire,” a world class multi-looping roller coaster that reaches speeds up to 66 miles per hour to their new $1 million “Half Dollar Holler” designed for kids through age 7 and so much more.
In term of value and being able to enjoy all that Silver Dollar City has to offer at your leisure, she points out that the Branson Tourism Center (BTC) has two day Silver Dollar City tickets for the price of a one day ticket. For additional information or tickets for Silver Dollar City, the National Harvest Festival or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please contact BTC by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.