Launching the Branson.Com boat into Table Rock Lake for the Purple Heart tournament held earlier this year.
“Branson is blessed with Table Rock Lake and its 43,000 acres of pristine water for fishing, boating, swimming and other activities. That, along with the natural beauty of the Ozarks Mountains and Branson’s great selection of shows, attractions, restaurants, shopping and other entertainment, provide the synergy for a wonderful and unique travel experience,” said Levi Kurtright, Director of Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center. “Over the next few weeks and into the Fall, Table Rock Lake will be the home of a number of special events hosting everyone from Ironmen to kids and fishermen to families and kids.”
Kurtright points out that the “KSwiss Ironman 70.3 Branson Inaugural Race,” a triathlon, will be held in Branson, Missouri on September 19. The triathletes will be competing against each other in a test of endurance for a share of $25,000 in prize money and to qualify for the “2010 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3″ in Clearwater, Florida. The course includes a 1.2 mile swim in Table Rock Lake, a 56 mile bike race through the rolling hills of the Ozark Mountains and a 26.2 mile run ending at the Branson Landing Fountains on the shores of Lake Taneycomo.
The “Central Pro-Am Association’s (CPAA) Pro-Am and Team Tournament Series” will end its 2010 season with a Pro-Am Tournament on August 21 and a Team Tournament on August 22 out of Ahoy’s in Kimberling City. Jim Thompson, the owner of CPAA points out that this tournament will determine the CPAA Pro and Amateur Champions of the year. “That’s a real big deal this year,” said Thompson. “In addition to the CPAA tournament winnings, the highest placed finisher in both the Pro and Non Boater (Amateur) Divisions, who are also members of the Professional Anglers Association, will win a paid ‘ride’ to fish the entire 2011 PAA Tournament Series including paid entry fees, food, fuel and lodging allowances for the entire season.”
The final event in the national “Professional Anglers Association’s (PAA) 2010 Tournament Season” will be held on Table Rock Lake October 14 through October 16. The tournament is jointly hosted by the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and BransonOnTheWeb, an affiliate of the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services. The PAA anglers will be competing for $400,000 in prizes, will depart the State Park Marina daily with the weigh-ins scheduled for the State Park Marina on October 14 and 15 and at “Branson Landing/Bass Pro Shops” on Oct. 16.
On October 23, KTTS Radio, Central Pro-Am Association and K.A.S.T. (Kids Are Special Too) will join together at the Port of Kimberling Marina to help fight childhood cancer with a benefit for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The event will combine a Buddy Bass Tournament hosted by Central Pro-Am and KTTS and a family fun event hosted by K.A.S.T and KTTS.
The tournament will start at 7:00 a.m. with a weigh-in at 3:00 p.m. The entry fee per team is $170.00 with 70 % going for payouts and 30% to St. Jude’s. From 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. there will be fun and games for the kids with a kid’s fishing contest, casting contest, games, treats and lots of fun for families. CPAA’s Thompson encourages all fishermen to enter the tournament and invites all families with children to participate in the family fun event.
Kurtright reminds everyone that as these events are taking place on Table Rock Lake that Branson and all it has to offer is but minutes away. Couple that with the Fall of the year in the Ozark Mountains and Silver Dollar City’s National Harvest Festival and the opportunities for fun and excitement in Branson seem as numerous as the beautifully colored leaves that will be falling from the trees.
Because of the Fall Foliage, Silver Dollar City’s National Harvest Festival and all the other exciting events going on in Branson in October such as “The Front Men” featuring Alabama’s Randy Owen, Lonestar’s Richie McDonald and Restless Heart’s Larry Stewart together in one concert, he recommends that advance reservations be made for shows and lodging to ensure not only availability, but to obtain the best seating and accommodations available. Kurtright offers the service of Branson Tourism Center in that regard and points out that the Branson Tourism Center can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.