Tuesday, May 24, 2016

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND MARKS THE BEGINNING OF THE SUMMER SEASON AT CENTRAL MISSOURI'S LAKE OF THE OZARKS


Although the first day of summer is officially June 20, Memorial Day Weekend has traditionally marked the start of the summer season at Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks.  As the days grow longer and the weather continues to warm, the action at the "Best Recreational Lake" in the Nation really begins to heat up. Read on for more information on the area's Memorial Day Weekend celebrations.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, MAY 27-29, 2016

Many resorts host professional fireworks displays to start their busy season with a bang. Resort guests and visitors to the area are welcome to enjoy the festivities by either land or by water.

Old Kinderhook Golf Resort in Camdenton invites the public to join them for their annual Fireworks Fun Fest from 5-9 pm. Admission to this sparkling spectacle is free and features live musical entertainment from Slick Nickel; bounce houses, clowns, face painting and games for the kids; an "All-American" cookout, which will be available for $13; and fireworks at dusk. For more information, visit www.OldKinderhook.com.



Two Lake-area resorts will put on professional pyrotechnic displays for visitors on Saturday, May 28. The fireworks at the Inn at Grand Glaize, located in Osage Beach, will begin at dusk and will be viewable by land at the Inn or by water at the 1 mile marker of the Grand Glaize Arm of the Lake. Bear Bottom Resort, located in Sunrise Beach, will feature live music by Money for Nothing followed by fireworks at 9:45 pm. And, on Sunday, May 29, the celebration continues at Bear Bottom with a double-concert featuring Money for Nothing and the return of country music star Matt Stillwell. There will be a second fireworks display at 9:45 p.m. on Sunday as well. For more information about the Inn at Grand Glaize and its fireworks, visit www.InnAtGrandGlazie.com; and for more details about the events at Bear Bottom Resort, including musical performance times, check out www.BearBottomResort.com.


Tan-Tar-A Resort celebrates Memorial Day with a weekend full of festivities for their hotel guests. Visitors can look forward to live music, cookouts, miniature golf, fun games and contests (limbo, hula hoop, watermelon eating) for the kids, a scavenger hunt, swim-up movies, cosmic bowling and more. The resort's fireworks take place at dusk on Sunday evening, May 29. For more information, visit www.Tan-Tar-A.com, or call 573-348-3131. Also, those who would like to see Tan-Tar-A's fireworks display on the water, but don't have a boat, can reserve a spot on the Tropic Island luxury cruise yacht. Make reservations by calling the Tropic Island at 573-348-0083 and view their website at www.tropicislandcruises.com. This cruise fills up fast, so travelers should reserve their spots early.


The Lodge of Four Seasons will also be hosting a large-scale fireworks display on Sunday beginning at dusk.  The fireworks can also be viewed by water at the 13-mile marker.  Call 800-843-5253 or visit www.4SeasonsResort.com for more information.

For more information on all Memorial Day Weekend events, as well as Lake Area lodging, dining, attractions, golf and more, visit www.FunLake.com.

Monday, May 23, 2016

Lake of the Ozarks Music Scene In Full Swing This Summer




On any given weekend during the summer, visitors to Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks will find a wide array of musical performances taking place around the area. Many of the Lake's resorts and 200 eateries and night spots showcase local musicians as well as some more renowned acts, because what's a trip to the Lake without a little music and sunshine? It doesn't matter what genre a visitor is looking for, whether it be rock and roll, blues, country or bluegrass, the Lake of the Ozarks always strikes the perfect chord.  Below is a highlight of some of the musical acts coming to four of the Lake's larger outdoor stages this summer.


H. TOAD'S AT CAMDEN ON THE LAKE RESORT, LAKE OZARK

H. Toad's Bar and Grill at Camden on the Lake Resort, Spa and Yacht Club features live music on two separate stages, one indoors and one outdoors, every weekend. In the past, H. Toad's entertainment complex has featured well known acts like Cheap Trick, Molly Hatchet, Nelly, Dr. Zhivagas, the American Hitman Band, as well as many popular local bands. Over Memorial Day Weekend, H. Toad's hosts Contagious, dubbed one of the best party bands in the Midwest, for three consecutive nights on their outdoor stage, May 27-29. This summer, H.Toad's, which was just voted the "Best Entertainment on the Water" by readers of Lake Lifestyles Magazine, will host at least four live performances every weekend. The event schedule is too packed to list all of the bands performing, so for a complete calendar of upcoming shows, please visit www.HToads.com.


OZARKS AMPHITHEATER, CAMDENTON

This 10,000-seat open-air music venue celebrated its grand reopening in mid-June 2015 with its first annual summer concert series featuring many big name bands, including the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, The Guess Who, Tracy Lawrence, Warrant and others.  This summer, the owners and operators, who also have experience at the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater outside of Denver, Col., have more in store for music lovers as they kick off their second annual concert series Memorial Day Weekend with a show headlined by GRAMMY-nominated, multi-platinum-selling recording artist Aaron Lewis on Sunday, May 29. The show will open with Andrew Stratman and CristiAna, with a special appearance by the Army National Guard.

On Saturday, June 11, one of the most influential bands of the '90s, the Gin Blossoms, and their signature "jangle pop" sound will be on full display. The amphitheater hosts two of country music's biggest names in July and August. The Country Music Award-winning Eli Young Band headlines on Saturday, July 23. Nationally renowned Parmalee bring their North Carolina-based Southern country-rock music to the Ozarks stage on Saturday, Aug. 6.

The 2016 summer series hits a crescendo as the legendary "Motor City Madman" Ted Nugent and special guests Head East wrap up the party on Saturday, Aug. 12.

For tickets and more information on the upcoming performers and/or the venue, please visit www.OzarksAmp.com, or call 573-346-0000.


PICKLEHEAD'S ROADHOUSE, SUNRISE BEACH

Picklehead's Road House is one of the Lake of the Ozarks' newest music venues and immediately put its stamp on the local music scene last year as it hosted Head East, Bret Michaels and 38 Special, and more. Picklehead's boasts a four-story entertainment complex complete with a large outdoor stage, multiple dining options and a zip line. 

Picklehead's summer season gets underway with a jam-packed Memorial Day Weekend as they host Members Only on Friday, May 27; a double-bill featuring Madd Hoss Jackson followed by Blackberry Smoke on Saturday, May 28; and, on Sunday, May 29, Drew Baldridge headlines a free, all-ages show beginning at 8 p.m.

In mid-June, the MidCoast BikeFest rolls into town. This weekend will be packed with custom motorcycles, contests and live music, including Shannon Curfman of Kid Rock as well as local heavyweights Shaman's Harvest on June 17. On June 18, attendees can look forward to performances by Adairs Run followed by the Bellamy Brothers. The weekend will also feature several special guests, including emcee "Goat," as well as bartenders from the famous Full Throttle Saloon in Sturgis, South Dakota.

To celebrate America's Independence Day, Picklehead's will host two double-bills on Friday and Saturday.  Lenny Cooper and Colt Ford will entertain audiences on Saturday, July 2, and, on July 3, Brushville and Backroad Anthem close out the weekend with a free, all-ages show.

For aficionados of one of America's most beloved musical genres, the blues, Picklehead's will be the place to be on Saturday, July 23. The 2016 Blues Festival features the Norman Jackson Band, Steve Smith and the Sneakers, E.D. Anderson, Steepwater Band and Davy Knowles. Music begins at 1 p.m.

To view Picklehead's complete event schedule, or to order tickets and get more information on the venue, visit www.PickleheadsRoadHouse.com.


SHAWNEE BLUFF VINEYARD, ELDON

Shawnee Bluff Vineyard is situated on 40 scenic acres of rolling pastures lined with rows of grapevines and is a year-around destination for Lake visitors wanting to sample some of the area's best wines. But, during the summer months, many flock to the Vineyard not just for the fruits of its labor, but for its musical performances. 

Shawnee Bluff's annual outdoor concert series has been both a highlight and staple at the Lake of the Ozarks for years and always brings in some of the biggest names in country and classic rock for select weekends throughout the season. The 2016 summer series features the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, famous for their monster hit, "Fishing in the Dark," on June 3. Country music sweetheart Lorrie Morgan graces the stage on July 15. The multi-award-winning country star Mickey Gilley plays his famous hits on August 19, and the legendary Charlie Daniels Band returns to the Vineyard on August 26. The summer series concludes with two shows in September, featuring the raucous rockabilly sounds of Reverend Horton Heat on September 10 and the sweet harmonies of The Oak Ridge Boys on September 23. 

Aside from these notable acts, Shawnee Bluff Vineyard also features local artists every Sunday throughout the summer and their second location, Shawnee Bluff Winery in Lake Ozark, features live music every weekend throughout the year. For more information on both locations - the Vineyard and the Winery - as well as a full events calendar, visit www.ShawneeBluffWinery.com.


For a complete list of concerts and other family-friendly events taking place at the "Best Recreational Lake" in the Nation, please call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB) at 1-800-FUN-Lake. Or, visit the CVB's award-winning website at www.FunLake.com. Visitors can also find a wealth of information about the different lodging facilities, 200 restaurants and bars and other Lake-area attractions on the CVB's website as well.