Author: ridesparky

This Memorial Day Weekend, (May 23 to May 26, 2025), veterans, active-duty service members, and their families will gather in Branson, Missouri, for a new event unlike any other. Rally Point Branson is a high-energy, patriotic experience designed to honor those who served, strengthen bonds within the Veteran community, and create lasting memories with family and friends. Attendees can spend time with their loved ones, reconnect with fellow service members and simply take in the sights of a city that proudly celebrates those who serve. The weekend gets started on Friday night in Downtown Branson with a Kickoff Celebration on the south parking of the Branson Convention Center. Attendees will enjoy a free concert by Eastern Heights, lots of kid-friendly activities like bounce houses, and food. There also will be…

The school year is wrapping up, and Memorial Day Weekend is the official start of family summer fun in Branson. Jump-start your summer with a great weekend in Branson. And the free Sparky trolleys are running all weekend long to help you get around Downtown Branson. So, if you’re looking to have fun and make great family memories, be sure to plan some time in our amazing downtown! Here are some of the fun (and most are free) activities around the Branson area that you don't want to miss: Branson Landing Summer Concert Series Branson Landing's free Summer Concert Series kicks off in Downtown Branson Saturday, May 24, with music from Bad Mojo at 7:00 PM and Queen City Dad Bods at 8:30 PM. Bring a blanket or folding chairs…

You may remember the first phases of the Downtown Branson "streetscape" upgrades that took place in 2017. These beautification projects added sidewalks, brick pavers, streetlights, planters... and Liberty Plaza. Since then, there have been numerous other additions like a covered trolley stop and public bathroom renovations. There was always a planned "Phase 4" of the project that was going to do significant upgrades to Main Street, the busiest corridor in downtown. Now, after a few years, work is finally getting underway on April 1, 2025, with an anticipated completion date of Oct. 15, 2025. To reduce long-term disruptions, the city has approved a 24-hour construction schedule throughout the duration of the project. The project will be completed in sub-phases to ensure continued access to businesses for residents and visitors alike.…

It's almost April, and that means that the Farmers' Market of the Ozarks is returning to Downtown Branson for the seasonal Branson Farmers' Market, which is located on the Branson Landing south parking lot (near the Lake Taneycomo bridges). The market is every Tuesday in April - October, from 2:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Come for the fresh flowers, locally grown produce, unique food items, arts and crafts ... and live entertainment! Farmers Market of the Ozarks combines farm fresh goodness, hand-crafted products and local eateries, all in one location that is easily accessible to the community.  Customers can shop for their weekly groceries, find unique gifts that are made from local artisans, enjoy musical talents of local artists and enjoy breakfast and lunch, all within the market’s laid back…

We've had some hints of Spring, and even though the groundhog says there's probably a little winter on the way, we're excited that Branson's 2025 season is getting into full swing ... and the free Downtown Branson trolleys have returned to their daily service as of March 1. Sparky runs throughout Downtown Branson from 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., every day of the week March-December. Sparky has a total of 12 stops in a single loop and continuous running during hours. So if you just miss Sparky by a hair, wait a few minutes and he'll be back around shortly! And you can track the nearest trolley on your smartphone so you'll know when your ride is near! Downtown is home to over 100 unique shops, restaurants, sweet treat spots, cafes,…

Back by popular demand, the free classic movies at the Historic Owen Theatre are returning for three showings before Christmas. Admission is free. Be sure to join us for these great (free) festive family events! Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m.: The Shop Around the Corner (1940) Featuring James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan, this pre-WWII classic tells the funny tale of two shop workers who can't stand each other. Both are writing to pen pals, with whom they are falling in love. Well ... you can see where this is headed! Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Frank Morgan, fresh off another MGM classic a year earlier and his defining role as the Wizard of Oz. Dec. 20, 6:30 p.m.: Holiday Affair It's retail hijinks in this classic 1949 Christmas…

[caption id="attachment_284" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Some Ozarks folklore says that early Branson settlers greeted the first downtown trolley around 1903 (NOTE: We cannot verify this story or the authenticity of this photo).[/caption] If you're a fan of Sparky, you may have come up with your own theories about how the Downtown Branson trolley got his name. Some theories we've heard involve electricity or maybe even an Ozarks tall tale that coincides with the founding of Branson ... and we like to play along with these fanciful explanations. But for historical posterity, we thought we'd give you the real story. The Historic Downtown Branson Discovery Trolley, Circa 2009 The Trolley's First Years The Historic Downtown Branson Discovery Trolley first came on the scene in 2007, just as the Branson Landing and the new Branson Convention…

A free outdoor concert at Branson Landing? Downtown Branson is definitely the best place kick off your summer! The 2024 Branson Landing Summer Concert Series gets kicked off with Rock 'n Roll from the Queen City Dad Bods beginning at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 25 (Opening act Bad Mojo takes the stage at 7:30 p.m.). The beer garden opens up at 7:30pm. Don't forget your lawn chairs and blankets. No coolers allowed. There's also lots of great summer fun around Branson too! Memorials and Museums While enjoying the start of summer, it's also important to remember the reason for Memorial Day, honoring the men and women who have fought and continue to fight for our country. At the Veterans Memorial Museum, not far from downtown, you will be reminded…

With the addition of the new Rose O'Neill mural on Commercial Street, downtown is now home to four major murals, each with their own stories and purpose. You can see each of these while riding the free Sparky downtown trolley, or you can lace up your walking shoes for a unique art walk experience. 1) The Star Spangled Banner Bicentennial Mural Painted by Raine Clotfelter, known as “America’s Muralist,” the giant mural on the west side of the Liberty Utilities building at 215 W. Main is downtown's largest. This artwork celebrated the bicentennial of the Star Spangled Banner in 2014. The background depicts the famous flag over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. The foreground features a giant eagle, a revolutionary-era drum and fife corps and the song originally…

Thanks to the hard work, creativity and fundraising of two area women, a new 21-foot by 28-foot mural is taking shape in Downtown Branson on the south side of the Centennial Museum at the corner of Commercial and Pacific streets. The mural memorializes famous Ozarkian Rose O'Neill. The project is being brought to life by Kansas City resident Delanie Johnson and Hollister muralist Christine Riutzel. The pair became friends over Instagram and conceived of the art project to pay tribute to one of area's most famous (and often forgotten) residents. Rose O'Neill was the first published female cartoonist in the United States, living from 1874 until 1944. She was an illustrator, artist, writer, suffragist, activist, and philanthropist. She rose to fame for her creation of the popular comic strip characters,…