Author: ridesparky

[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,…

It's officially Spring, and The Branson Farmers Market is back on Tuesday afternoons in Downtown Branson beginning in April. This amazing market includes locally grown produce, artisan foods, flowers and crafts. Depending on the week, you may also find food trucks, games and live entertainment. More than just shopping, it's always a fun family activity. The market takes place every Tuesday evening from 3-7 p.m. May - October on the south end of the Branson Landing parking lot (Bass Pro side near the Taneycomo bridges). The Branson Farmers Market part of the Farmers Market of the Ozarks, which also operates the Saturday farmers market in Springfield. The Farmers Market is also conveniently near Trolley Stop #1 at the Lakeside RV Park.

Spring is here and so are Spring Breakers! Welcome to Branson and to Spring Break 2024! Here's some of the fun things in Downtown Branson that should be vying for a spot on each family's must-do list. Family Fun Attractions If you're looking for fun things to do with the entire family, Downtown Branson is a great place to start! At Branson Landing, you'll find great attractions like Andy B's Bowl Social, Arcade City, Branson Jet Boats, Parakeet Pete's Steampunk Balloon, The Mirror Maize and Meta Golf. Historic Downtown also has other great family activities, like parks and live performances. The Region's Best Dining Whether you're dining on a patio overlooking the Branson Landing fountains or enjoying a home-cooked meal at one of Branson's traditional diners, you'll discover that Downtown…

The warmer weather has been teasing us in recent days, and there's hints that the dogwoods are starting to flower. That means two things: 1) Spring is almost here and 2) the free Downtown Branson trolleys are returning to their daily schedules. Starting the weekend of March 1, the trolley will run throughout Downtown Branson from 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., every day of the week for the rest of 2024. Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., 7 days a week (March-Dec.) 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Weekends (Jan.-Feb.) No service Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day Explore all that Downtown Branson has to offer with the comfortable and convenient trolleys! Sparky has a total of 12 stops in a single loop and continuous running during hours. So if you…

Everyone loves a winner, but there's something special about our nearby Kansas City Chiefs. And just a few hours south of Arrowhead Stadium is the NFL franchise's new official vacation destination, Branson. In August 2023, the Branson/Lakes Area Tourism Enhancement District announced a multi-year partnership with the Chiefs. “We are deeply honored as our city becomes the first ever Official Vacation Destination of the Kansas City Chiefs. Millions of fans in Chiefs Kingdom will be exposed to Branson and all we have to offer in live music shows, attractions and family fun,” said City of Branson Mayor Larry Milton. “We are incredibly excited for our region to be showcased alongside the reigning Super Bowl Champions and the most popular sport in America.” “We are excited and proud to partner with…

Interior of the Historic Owen Theatre in Downtown Branson MO The Branson Arts Council is a little-known gem in our Historic Downtown, with local and guest actors performing in first-rate productions on the oldest stage in Branson: The Historic Owen Theatre. The theatre is located at 205 S. Commercial Street and next to Liberty Plaza in Downtown Branson. It's your opportunity to see some of the best Broadway productions presented on a local stage with local talent. Information and tickets are available at https://bransonarts.org/ Among the 2024 productions, BRAC has scheduled: SpongeBob the Musical Who lives in a pineapple under the sea and became the hottest star on Broadway? Why, it’s SpongeBob SquarePants! And now he’s ready to ride the wave to your theatre to entertain and delight audiences in…

January and February are typically slower months in Branson, but they also are a great time to bundle up and visit downtown Branson. In January and February, Sparky the free Downtown Trolley runs from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on weekends weather permitting. Many of our downtown businesses are still open, and the warm Sparky trolleys are running on a special limited schedule. There's also many great events going on in Downtown during the winter months, like cheer and dance tournaments and live Branson Arts Council productions at the Historic Owen Theatre. If you have spent any time in Downtown Branson, then you certainly have seen Sparky; He’s the helpful free trolley, ready to take you to great spots like Historic Downtown, the Branson Landing and the Branson Convention Center.…