Going for a swim in Central Missouri's beautiful Lake of the Ozarks is a common occurrence. Doing it in February is less common. Nevertheless, brave souls with warm hearts will "take the plunge" for Special Olympics at the Polar Plunge on February 28.
2015 marks the 20th anniversary of the plunge at Lake of the Ozarks. Organizers expect approximately 600 "plungers" and another 1,500 spectators to be on hand for the event at Public Beach #2 in Lake of the Ozarks State Park. Many of the participants don a costume for their plunge, so the event begins with a costume parade at 2 pm, prior to the 2:30 pm plunge. The Polar Plunge makes a great centerpiece for a winter weekend of fun at the Lake of the Ozarks. Lodging facilities offer great winter rates and activities like shopping and golf, if the weather permits, add to the fun. Restaurants and nightspots can help plungers, and their fans, celebrate their success.
Special Olympics Missouri's 14 Polar Plunges take place around the state in February to generate funds for the organization's year-round program of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
New for 2015, Special Olympics Missouri has extended the Polar Plunge to include the little ones who want to participate in the event. The all new Pee Wee Polar Plunge will take place on Friday, February 27 at Timber Falls, Tan-Tar-A Resort's indoor water park. The Pee Wee Polar Plunge is open to children up to 9 years of age.
Is jumping into frigid waters not your thing? Maybe a brisk run through Osage Beach would be more your speed with the Polar Bear Strut. The only thing is that you'll have to rise and shine early as the Strut starts at 8:00 am sharp on February 28th. Visit http://bit.ly/PolarStrut2015 for more information and registration.
All participants fundraise for the Special Olympics prior to the plunge and prizes are awarded for top fundraisers. These donations help the participating individuals and teams show their pride and dedication to the cause, giving them, as one team puts it, "a reason for freezin'." The Polar Plunge is a project of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Missouri and is proudly hosted by the Osage Beach Police Department. For more information and registration for both Polar Plunge events, visit Special Olympics Missouri's Polar Plunge Lake of the Ozarks website at http://bit.ly/plunge2015.
For general Lake of the Ozarks lodging, dining and more information, visit www.funlake.com or call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800-FUN-LAKE or 573-348-1599.
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Thursday, February 5, 2015
Cold Water Warms Hearts at the 2015 Polar Plunge
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days 2015
 The bluffs and forests around Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks are a popular destination for eagles on their annual southern migration. Visitors who want to see these majestic birds in their natural habitat should make Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days a winter weekend destination January 3 - 4, 2015.
Missouri is one of the leaders in eagle population in the lower 48 states, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation, with more than 2,000 bald eagles reported each winter. They are drawn to warmer, wooded areas such as the Lake of the Ozarks in their migration from Alaska, Canada and the northern U.S.
 Eagle Days activities allow attendees to see the birds in a natural setting, as well as offering opportunities for up-close viewing at programs offered by the World Bird Sanctuary. Events on Saturday, January 3, begin at 9 am and continue until 5:30 pm. On Sunday, January 4, events begin at 10:00 am and end at 4:30 pm. All Eagle Days activities and sites are located in Lake Ozark, all within a short drive of one another.Eagle-viewing activities are located at Willmore Lodge and the Bagnell Dam Access. Eagle-watchers are encouraged to bring cameras and binoculars. Interactive exhibits and crafts will be on display at Willmore Lodge each day, and eagle nest-building and rope-making exhibitions will be held at the Bagnell Dam Access.  At Osage National Golf Resort, live eagle programs are presented by the World Bird Sanctuary from St. Louis, beginning on the hour from 9 am to 3 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 2 pm on Sunday.
School of the Osage Heritage Elementary will feature two programs by Springfield's Dickerson Park Zoo. The "Live Owls of Missouri" program features information about the species of owls indigenous to Missouri. The second program, called "Day Shift, Night Shift and Garbage Gal" provides information about hawks, owls and turkey vultures. These shows will be held every hour on the half-hour beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending at 4:30 pm on Saturday and from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm on Sunday. There will also be coloring contests and other activities for kids, as well as nature-related exhibitors including the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Department of Conservation.
If weather permits, eagle-watching cruises will be offered aboard the Tom Sawyer for a nominal fee. Attendees interested in taking the cruise should go to the boarding area on Bagnell Dam Blvd.
Lake of the Ozark Eagle Days is made possible by the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau, Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Osage National Golf Resort, FaceLift Marketing, School of the Osage, Missouri Master Naturalist - Lake of the Ozarks Chapter and Boy Scouts of America. To learn more about Eagle Days, visit LakeoftheOzarksEagleDays.com or call 1-800-386-5253.
For information on the year-round fun at Missouri's Fun Lake, including activities, events, dining and accommodations, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB) at 1-800-FUN-LAKE or visit the CVB's multiple award-winning website, FunLake.com. |
Monday, November 17, 2014
2014 Holiday Events at Lake of the Ozarks
From the "gobble, gobble" of Thanksgiving to the "ho, ho, ho" of the Christmas season, Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks is the place to celebrate the holidays.
For those who don't want to cook - but do want to eat - on Thanksgiving Day, a number of the Lake area's resorts and restaurants offer turkey and all the trimmings. Visit www.funlakeevents.com for a list of Thanksgiving buffets open around The Lake on November 27th.
Thanksgiving Day at Tan-Tar-A Resort will feature a Tailgate Party and a bonfire and sing-along before the lighting of the resort's Christmas decorations. And if you're feeling over-stuffed from your Thanksgiving feast, get out to burn some calories in Tan-Tar-A's Turkey Trot 5K on November 28th. For more on Tan-Tar-A's festivities, visit www.Tan-Tar-A.com.
Visitors can enjoy holiday lights throughout the Lake of the Ozarks area at several drive-through parks featuring lighting displays that encompass thousands of brightly burning bulbs.
 
Lights shine brightly in the City of Versailles, as well, with the city park aglow for the Unity Circle of Lights. Beginning November 26th and continuing through January 1st, the holiday light park will feature approximately 40 glowing and animated holiday scenes. The light park is named for the "Unity Circle," a monument at the park entrance that shows cooperation among community members. For more information, visit the website at www.CityOfVersailles.org.
Thanksgiving weekend offers family fun in Versailles, which hosts Olde Fashioned Christmas on the Square on Saturday, November 29th, from 5:00–8:00 pm. Vendor booths will line the historic Courthouse Square and the Versailles Choir will sing on the courthouse steps. Santa will arrive on the Versailles Rural Fire Department's fire engine then adjourn to the Royal Theater. His lap will be ready for sitting and his ears ready to hear children's gift requests. Guests can view and bid on silent auction items in the theater's Annex. Learn more at www.VersaillesChamber.com/Christmas-on-the-Square.
     
The 30th Annual Lake Ozark "Christmas Magic" Parade will be held on December 13th at 1:00 pm. The procession will line up at Hwy 242 starting at t he HH & Bagnell Dam Blvd. intersection in Lake Ozark, and will turn right to proceed down Bagnell Dam Boulevard to the Dam. The Parade will be lead by the Maine Corp League Honor Guard with the Grand Marshall and all parade participants following them. Again this year, Santa will be available immediately after the Parade at the White House on Bagnell Dam Blvd. for pictures with the children. Christmas Stockings, will be handed out to all the children who stop to see him, and hot chocolate and cookies will be served to all waiting in line to see Santa!
Whether visitors are coming to the Lake to see the lighting displays, check items off the holiday gift list or just escape the demands of the season, the area's lodging properties offer the gift of off-season savings. Winter and holiday-special lodging rates are some of the lowest of the year at Lake-area resorts, hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and RV parks. In some cases, travelers can save as much as 40 percent off in-season rates and give themselves the gift of a good night's rest and relaxation.
The Lake of the Ozarks is also the perfect place to ring in the New Year. Ask your favorite lodging establishment about their New Year's Eve specials.
For information about all events and activities at the Lake of the Ozarks, as well as information on dining and accommodations, visit our award-winning website at FunLake.com, or call 1-800-FUN-LAKE. |
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Patriots All Motorcycle Rally at Lake of the Ozarks
Bikers will rally for a cause June 27-28 at Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks. The Patriots All Motorcycle Rally features entertainment and activities for bikers who want to support wounded warriors and their families. Headlining the entertainment for the event is heavy-metal band Molly Hatchet. Proceeds from the event are donated to Peterson Outdoor Ministries, a Joplin-based organization that provides recreational activities, counseling and support for veterans and their families.
This is the second year for the rally, which is moving from Sedalia to the Lake of the Ozarks. "Sedalia was a great venue for us," rally organizer Angie Thessen said. "But the Lake can offer more fun things to do for attendees in conjunction with the rally. People are just drawn to the Lake."
Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau Executive Director Tim Jacobsen is delighted to have the rally come to the area. "We love having events for bikers at the Lake," he said. "We are able to offer a variety of scenic rides, as well as other activities and amenities for bikers. We support the Patriots All Motorcycle Rally as a way to give back to those who have bravely served our country."
Approximately 1,200 bikers attended last year's event. Thessen hopes more will come to the Lake and stresses that all activities are open to the public, whether they are bikers or not. Activities will be held at the Camden on the Lake Resort and Lake of the Ozarks Harley Davidson.
The fun begins with a reception at Camden on the Lake on June 27 for veteran rider groups like American Legion Riders and Patriot Guard Riders, allowing them to meet one another and honoring their service. Patriot Guard Riders are volunteers who serve as an honor guard at funerals for members of the military, police and firefighters. They also greet troops who are returning home from overseas and volunteer for veterans' organizations like veterans homes.
"These volunteers often see one another only at somber occasions," Thessen said. "This event gives them the opportunity to participate in some fun activities and gives us a chance to thank them for what they do."
Rally activities continue on Saturday with a bike rodeo, National Guard tank rides and a poker run, as well as scenic rides. The Patriots All poker run, a new event for this year's motorcycle rally, begins with registration and breakfast at Lake of the Ozarks Harley Davidson, located in Osage Beach. Stops include Bridal Cave, Dog Days Saloon, Bootlegger's Sports Bar and Grill and ends at Toad Cove at Camden on the Lake.
Also on Saturday, a bike show will be held at Lake of the Ozarks Harley Davidson, with attendees voting for their favorite bikes by making donations for the event. Information about these activities, including maps for scenic motorcycle rides around the Lake area, is available with registration for the rally.
On Saturday evening "Molly Hatchet" will perform on the main stage at H. Toad's Bar and Grill. "Molly Hatchet" burst into the Southern rock music scene in 1978 and later took on a more heavy metal sound. In the three decades that have followed, the band has continued touring and recording and has returned to its Southern rock roots. "The American Hitmen Band" will open for "Molly Hatchet" at the Saturday night show. There is a $10 cover charge for this event only and VIP tables also are available. Tickets can be purchased at www.CamdenOnTheLake.com. All other activities for the weekend are free, although donations will be accepted throughout the weekend for Peterson Outdoor Ministries.
Peterson Outdoor Ministries is a faith-based organization that offers outdoor recreational opportunities to wounded warriors, as well as people with disabilities or terminal illnesses. While activities like Wounded Warrior Wildlife Hunts are a primary focus for the ministry, they also offer counseling and support to wounded combat veterans and their families. One of their goals is to help wounded warriors transition from their lives in the armed forces to their new civilian lives, reducing the suicide rate among these veterans.
Thessen, who works as a legislative assistant in the Missouri House of Representatives, and her co-organizer, Maj. Chris Ash from the Missouri National Guard, have seen the need for supports like those offered by Peterson Outdoor Ministries. In her work with the House of Representatives, Thessen has become involved in veterans' activities. She met Maj. Ash through these activities and, together, they set out to organize the Patriots All Motorcycle Rally.
"In its first year, the Patriots All Motorcycle Rally not only met, but in many ways exceeded, our goals of thanking our veterans and raising funds to help Peterson Outdoor Ministries," Maj. Ash said. "With all the bikers, bike lovers, veterans, service members, sponsors, vendors and entertainers, it made sense for us to move to a destination like the Lake of the Ozarks for the second year. We expect an even better turnout this year, especially since our rally coincides with the 7th Annual Support Our Troops Poker Run."
The Support Our Troops Poker Run, while not a part of the Patriots All rally, supports H.E.R.O.E.S Care, another charitable organization that offers services to military personnel and their families. The Support Our Troops Poker Run will be held on Friday, June 27, prior to the Patriots All rally and is also headquartered at Camden on the Lake Resort. More information about this poker run, sponsored by Midwest Boat Party, is available at LakeOzarksPokerRun.com.
For more information, pre-registration or sponsorship opportunities for the Patriots All Motorcycle Rally, contact Angie Thessen or Maj. Chris Ash at PatriotFoundation@outlook.com.
Learn more about all of the attractions and activities, as well as lodging and dining options, at the Lake of the Ozarks, by calling the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at 1-800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253), or visiting FunLake.com.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Guest Blog: Bassing Bob on Fishing in March at Lake of the Ozarks
Fishing at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri during March can be one of the
most productive times to enjoy and catch fish. During March the days are
getting longer, the water temperatures will be warming up and the fish will be starting
to move from their winter time holding areas and their metabolism will start
get faster, therefore they will be on the hunt for food.
This winter however, has been one of the coldest in many
years, the lake has been frozen for most of February and early March water
temperatures are in the mid to upper 30’s, therefore the fishing in early March
has been quite difficult to get the bass and crappie to bite. For the most part the bass are mostly on the
bottom from 20’-30’ of water, holding inside of deep brush piles or suspended
over very deep water, without much indication that they want to eat or move to
chase a meal. The crappie have also been more lethargic than
usual for this time of the year, however they seem to be more catchable than
the bass in deep brush piles and around dock brush piles.
In fact, many of the bass being caught are being caught on
crappie jigs by fisherman fishing for crappie in brush piles. This is certainly an indication that brush
piles are holding bass and the bass want their meal to be small and brought to
them worked very slowly.
Bass tournaments the early part of March have seen weights
being way down. While it is not unusual
to see 5 fish limit weights from 18-22 pounds this time of the year, winning
weights have been in the 10-12 pound range, with many tournament anglers being
shut out from catching a single fish, including me.
The cold water temperature bite that has been successful has
been slow rolling a multi rig bait (ala the Alabama Rig), a rig that has
multiple swim baits (3-5 baits) that imitate a small school of shad or bait
fish. The successful fisherman have
been working this style of rig slowly along the bottom in 15 to 30 feet of
water or over the top of brush piles. It
should be noted that the State of Missouri regulation for multi-rig baits is a
total of 3 hooks, therefore for rigs that have capacity for more than three
swim baits, you will need to either attach a spinner to the other wires of the
rig or use what is referred to as dummy baits, swim baits with no hooks. These can be attached to the rig with a
hitch hiker, a hitch hiker is a small screw like wire that the bait without a
hook can be added to the rig.
As the water begins to warm, which it will in March, the
bass fishing should really turn on. As
the water temperature starts to reach into the low, to mid and high 40’s which
is likely through March, the fish will start to move and want to feed. They will start to feel that spring
fever, just as we do. However, they also are going to start feeling
the urge to spawn and/or get into the spawning areas to pre-stage for the
spawn. While the spawn on Lake of the
Ozarks does not really start to happen until about mid-late April and into May,
the end of March as the water temperatures rise, the fish will start to migrate
into the areas in preparation for the spawn.
Lake of the Ozarks Bass Fishing pro’s and experts recently
met with BassingBob to discuss March bass fishing on the Lake of the Ozarks,
this monthly meeting of experts is video taped each month and can be watched in
it’s entirety on www.bassingbob.com. A monthly publication for March can also be
found on the same web site.
In summary of the experts meeting, there is a lot of similarity
amongst the experts regarding what baits to fish, locations and structure. The experts agree that during March the fish
will begin to become more active as the water warms into the 40’s. They suggest fishing in and around secondary
points that lead to spawning areas. As
the fish are still a bit lethargic, it is key to fish slowly. Brush piles and docks around these areas
will also hold catchable fish. The
experts pretty much agree on three primary baits to catch bass, a jerkbait, an
Alabama Rig and a bottom bait, like a jig or creature bait. As the water begins to warm, fish should
become catchable at the more common strike zone depths of 8’ – 15’ of
water.
The bass will also be found close to bait fish and they will
likely be close to deep water but up on the flats and secondary points to
feed. It is often overlook at Lake of
the Ozarks, that many fish also spawn on bluff ledges. These are often some of your biggest
fish. These are often referred to as river
fish, as these fish live full time along the river channels of Lake of the
Ozarks. These fish will also start to
feed and move more as the water temperatures warm. They will come up along the ledges of bluffs
and on main lake points to feed. The
baits to catch these fish are the same, a suspending jerk bait, Alabama Rig and
bottom bait like a jig or creature bait. The jig/creature baits are very successful on bluff ledges by pulling
the bait from ledge to ledge, often the fish will be relating to a drop off of
a ledge and the bait will be eaten either as it is falling in front of them or
being dragged in the bottom of a ledge. The very best jig and/or creature bait on Lake of the Ozarks is made my
Crock-o-Gator Bait Company.
I would also encourage fisherman coming to the lake in
March, whether you are an occasional angler or tournament angler, to hire a
guide for a half a day or full day. March is a very tricky time of year, especially this year as we have had
such severe cold water temperatures. My
suggestion is to contact Jack Uxa of Jack’s Guide Service. Jack is a
full time guide on the lake, he is the only multi species guide (crappie, bass,
catfish, etc.). The Lake of the Ozarks bait and tackle stores are also another
great place to find out what the fish are biting on, where to fish for the
active fish, ect. My suggestions for
bait stores on Lake of the Ozarks are Fitz Fishing, Tackle and Supplies, and Osage Bait and
Tackle. Wayne, the owner of Fitz Fishing, is a
veteran active tournament fisherman on Lake of the Ozarks and Bill at Osage
Bait and Tackle has a great selection of fishing goods and always has an
entourage of fishing guides and expert fisherman working at his store.
Finally, for videos, pictures, daily, weekly and monthly
fishing reports, check out www.bassingbob.com.
Good fishing everyone.
Please feel free to contact me with questions or send me pics with your
fishing report to bob@bassingbob.com.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Liverpool Legends Make Their 6th Annual Stop at The Lake
Once again in 2014, the Grammy Nominated and award-winning Beatles tribute band, Liverpool Legends, will come to the stage at Main Street Music Hall in Osage Beach for two performances, on Friday and Saturday, March 7 & 8, at 8 pm. Branson's Liverpool Legends tribute show, created by Louise Harrison, sister of the late George Harrison, gives audiences the full Beatles experience.
Louise Harrison has been a part of what she describes as "The Global Family of Beatle People," since her youngest brother came to America with the "Fab Four" in the 1960s. She hand-picked the performers for the Liverpool Legends show both for their striking physical resemblance to the original Beatles and also for their musical expertise.
These talented artists faithfully recreate performances throughout the Beatles' career, complete with wardrobe changes to represent the different eras of the band's history, and then continue on through the years of band members' solo performances. Vintage video footage of the Beatles serves as a backdrop for the performance and audience members are invited to relive the experience of a live concert by standing near the stage. The result is a widely acclaimed and crowd-pleasing tribute that engages audience members and takes them back in time to the years when the world was watching the Beatles.
Tickets are available from the Tri-County Lodging Association and The Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau. Premium seats are $30 for adults and children; regular reserved seating is $25 for adults and $20 for children. The venue will sell out quickly, so it's recommended that tickets be purchased early. For more information, call 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253) or visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau's special event website, www.funlake.com/liverpoollegends. For information on Lake Area lodging, dining, attractions and more, visit www.funlake.com.
Polar Plunge at the Lake Set for Feb. 22, 2014
Only brave souls with warm hearts would be inclined to take a dip in Lake of the Ozarks in February. On February 22, costumed participants will "take the plunge" into the frigid waters of the Lake as part of their commitment to Special Olympics Missouri's year-round program of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
To view a complete series of photos from the 2013 Polar Plunge, check our our Flickr photo set at http://bit.ly/YAGOZ6.
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