Dixie Stampede

 Ready for a spectacular dinner and show? Look no further! This show really has it all. You want to get there early so you can really get your money's worth. Spend time strolling along the barn area so you can see the horses up close. (Kids love this part). Then you can go to a pre-show that usually starts an hour prior show time. Make sure to ask about the exact time when purchasing your tickets. Tickets can be purchased at the time of the show, but I don't recommend waiting as they sell out often. Also, take advantage of the many places selling discounted show tickets in Branson. They often come with very few strings attached. Sometimes you have to tour a resort (they try to sell you timeshare, but if you don't want it, they aren't pushy). At any rate, even if you pay full price, it is worth it.
 I'm getting a bit out of order here, so I will try to get back to it. So you go to the pre show. This takes place in a large Carriage room. There is a small stage right in the middle of room so everyone has good seats. We sat right next to the stage and that really got interesting! The pre show entertainment varies from time to time. Ours was a fantastic juggler/comedian. His act was really incredible and was almost worth the price of admission alone. Now, unless you have money to blow, I don't recommend buying drinks like coke at the preshow. For two cokes in a take home plastic mug, it cost 11.00. Refills are not free either. After the preshow you head to the main arena to be seated. It really doesn't matter too much where you are seated as the "stage" is right in the middle and the seats are all the way around in a horseshoe shape. This picture can give you an idea of what I mean. You set pretty much elbow to elbow with the people next to you, but I am a large person and was plenty comfortable. The audience is split into two sides..the north and the south. If you are picky about which side you want on, you have to tell them when you buy tickets. I was a bit annoyed at the whole north vs. south thing as it glamorized and the war was anything but glamorous. Looking past that part, it was a great experience. The lights dim and the show begins. Waiters and waitresses come around with drinks, tea or coke. (These you don't pay extra for and free refills). Then they come around with soup. You drink it from a handled bowl as there are NO utensils here. You eat with your hands! The soup was a creamed vegetable soup which sounded kinda gross to me, but it was so out of this world good I wanted to lick the bowl! (They sell it in their gift shop too) After that they come around with your main course. It may change throughout the year, but ours was roasted pork tenderloin, a whole chicken, a half potato baked and seasoned, and an ear of corn on the cob. Let me tell you something...there was nothing but bones on my plate when I got through. It was super good food. And there is no way you leave hungry. My husband has bad teeth and was really worried if he could eat the food, but it was all so well done that he had no trouble at all. Desert comes around last and was an apple turnover. It was also very good but after all the other food, there just wasn't room for all of it.
 While your eating the show is going on in the arena. The acts vary throughout the year. There are stunt riders, comedians, dancers, and even audience participation acts. You cheer, stomp, and clap your head off. It really gets you into the show. Though at times it was really hard to clap when you had your hands full of food, but you manage! Overall, I highly recommend this as a stop on your next Branson vacation.
(Please note, I did not take the above photo, but found it on the web. I do not own it in any way.)