Silver Dollar City's Southern Gospel Picnic.
BRANSON, Mo., July 30, 2012 — “Fun, adventure and excitement are a normal part of a day at Branson’s most popular paid attraction,” said Annette Wood, Director of Group Sales for the Branson Tourism Center. “Add in the soul stirring inspirational sound of some of the finest Southern Gospel Music in the land and a picnic, Silver Dollar City style, and the result is ‘America’s biggest Southern Gospel Picnic,'” she continued.
Silver Dollar City‘s Southern Gospel Picnic is the shortest of Silver Dollar City’s seven world class festivals, running just 11 days, from August 24 through September 3. Yet, it is an event eagerly anticipated by Southern Gospel music fans and is a great opportunity, for those who have not had the opportunity to hear it before, to experience it at its “uplifting soul-stirring” best performed by some of the finest Southern Gospel performers and groups in the Nation.
During the Southern Gospel Picnic in excess of 40 of the top Southern Gospel performers and groups will perform hundreds of performances throughout the park. Although subject to change these include, among others, Jason Crabb, 2012 Dove Award Male Vocalist of the Year & Artist of the Year; The Perrys, winners of a 2012 Dove Award for the Southern Gospel Song of the Year “Celebrate Me Home;” The Isaacs, winners of a 2012 Dove Award for the Bluegrass Song of the Year “Momma’s Teaching the Angels How to Sin;” Karen Peck & New River winners of 2012 Dove Awards for Country Song of the Year “Good Things Are Happening” & Southern Gospel Album of the Year “Reach Out” and dozens more. Although not a musical performance, it should be noted that Christian speaker and humorist Dennis Swanberg will be appearing on September 1.
The Southern Gospel Nights concert series will be held each evening, weather permitting, at the park’s 4,000 seat Echo Hollow Amphitheater® starting at 6 PM each night, except for September 1st and 2nd when the starting time is 7 PM. Although each concert will feature a different Southern Gospel group each of the Southern Gospel Nights concerts will be hosted by KWFC-FM radio personality Dave Taylor.
On Sunday August 26 and September 2, special Sunday worship services will be presented featuring guest speakers and performers. David Ring, motivational speaker and pastor will speak on August 26 and Hosea Bilyeu, pastor and performer along with the “Hosea Bilyeu Family” will be featured on September 2.
“And what would a picnic be without food?” Branson Tourism Center‘s Wood rhetorically asks. In addition to all the delicious food normally available throughout the park the Southern Gospel Picnic will feature “The House of Chicken & Fixin’s,” located inside the parks “Reunion Hall.” The “picnic menu” features Silver Dollar City’s “famous golden Southern Fried Chicken” and other items including “succulent Apple Butter Glazed Chicken, delicious Orange Glazed Chicken, Hickory – Smoked Chicken, moist and tender Slow Smoked Pulled Pork all served with all of your favorite picnic fixins.”
As is the case with all of Silver Dollar City’s world class festivals, all of the special activities, music and events of the Southern Gospel Picnic, are in addition to all the adventure and excitement that the international award winning 1880’s’ styled theme park offers on a daily basis. This includes two dozen rides and attractions including “Half Dollar Holler,” the million dollar play area for kids; 100 resident craftsmen, its shops and other unique activities.
Wood points out that each Silver Dollar City admission sold by Branson Tourism Center includes two days admission for the price of one and suggests advance reservations for lodging and shows, particularly over the long Labor Day weekend. For additional information on Silver Dollar City, the Southern Gospel Picnic or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please feel free to contact the Branson Tourism Center by calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550.