My favorite Christmas moment of 2016

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Right now, while I am in the morning of Christmas Day, and in the heart of the 2016 Christmas holiday season, I am easily reminded of one of my favorite moments during this season, and it took place over a month ago in the heart of the Ozark Mountains of Missouri.

In the middle of November, a week before American Thanksgiving, I was fortunate to participate in a press tour with a group of fellow travel writers to Branson, Missouri. To say that this town of 10,000 residents is totally immersed in Christmas is indeed an understatement. From downtown Branson, to its historic district, to the 50 theatres that make up its "strip"-- and the 100 shows that inhabit them -- to the very impressive Branson Landing outdoor mall, Christmas is a celebration that takes over Branson from November 1 to December 31. Why, you may ask? According to any resident who is asked that question, they simply reply "because Andy Williams said so!". 

It was 25 years ago that the veteran signer/entertainer moved to Branson and built his own theatre (now called the Andy Williams Performing Arts Center), and helped attract plenty of mainstream entertainers to perform in Branson, and in turn transformed Branson into a major entertainment hub and tourist attract. 

Although he passed away in 2012, Andy Williams’ Christmas legacy is captured every year in Branson. One of those events that captures his legacy is the annual the Most Wonderful Time of the Year Parade, which the fourth edition was held on November 19, and ran along the entire length of Branson Landing. 

Parade emcees Kelly Smith (left) and Billie Yates

Before the parade, myself and the group of travel writers on the press tour were invited to breakfast at the Black Oak Grill restaurant, which was also the meeting place of the selected Branson entertainers who were participating in the parade. While enjoying the delicious breakfast buffet, we were given the chance to interview with as many of the entertainers that we wanted (as long as time permitted). I decided to speak to the amiable Branson duo who were about to emcee the live broadcast of the parade: Billie Yates and Kelly Smith. Yates, who is a veteran Grammy Award-winning songwriter, stars in a rather unique country music tribute in Branson called "Raiding the Country Vault". 

Parade grand marshalls the Lennon Sisters

"Raiding the Country Vault takes 30 of the most iconic songs in country music, add an n all-star cast, along with three giant screens and a laser light show, and the result is a show that celebrates these songs and the stories behind them," said Yates, who added that Glen Campbell's "Wichita Lineman" and Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" are the songs that are featured on the show which are constant favorites with the audience. 

Ms. Smith is also a veteran Branson entertainer. She has performed as Cher in the Legends in Concert show, and is the host of a daily lifestyles TV magazine show called “Ozarks Live”, which airs on the local CBS station. As well, she is about to tour in a tribute show in Australia as Olivia Newton-John; and what makes this singing gig so special for Ms. Smith is that her tribute performance was given the official approval by Olivia Newton-John herself. 

"When I perform any character, I always take it seriously. To prep myself for the Olivia Newton-John role, I carefully listened to her songs, and did everything to get her accent right. Getting every nuance of the character perfectly is the most important way of what I do as a performer. And as a result, I will get the chance to perform as her for a future two-week tour in Australia," she said.

The parade itself attracted a large number of Branson residents and tourists, who braved the unseasonably chilly temperatures to get their Christmas holidays off to the right start. It featured several of Branson’s top entertainers, such as the Baldknobbers (who began performing in Branson in 1960), the Hughes Brothers, Six, and the Lennon Sisters (who served as this year’s parade grand marshals), along with a stream of classic cars and floats that were provided by many of the city’s shows and local sponsors. However, this day of holiday celebration didn't end with the parade. It was followed by an hour-long Christmas concert, which showcased many of the entertainers that were on the parade route, and took place in front of the fountains of the main square at Branson Landing. On the line-up were the following Branson entertainers: the Baldknobbers, New South, Clay and Tina Cooper, the Hughes Brothers, Voices of Glory, Dean Z (as Elvis Presley), Six, Brian Dupre (as Frank Sinatra), Pierce Arrow, Billy Yates, and the Lennon Sisters (together with their grand daughters), in which they each sang a popular Christmas song, (and also acted as a sampler of Branson shows that one did not get the chance to see, or sparked one's interest to catch in the future). All in all, the parade and concert capped off a wonderful morning, and vividly illustrated to me why Christmas in Branson is indeed "the most wonderful time of the year".

The Lennon Sisters perform at Branson Landing

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For more information about visiting Branson, Missouri during Christmas time or any other time of the year, check out the Branson/Lakes Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.explorebranson.com.