BOOM!
With flashes of light and crashes of sound, fireworks light up the night sky every year in July. Families everywhere flock to their favorite picnics and places to lay their blankets. In Branson, opportunities abound for celebrating the Fourth of July. From fireworks to dinner cruises, there are multiple ways to celebrate our nation’s birthday.
Big Cedar Lodge has rolled out the red carpet for their Fourth of July celebration. On July 4th, you can join the Big Cedar staff on the Swimmin’ Hole lawn for their annual Independence Day Picnic and Fireworks. Beginning at 2:00 p.m., there will be games, attractions, contests, crafts, entertainment, pony rides, and food. Tickets and all-you-can-play wristbands will be available at the ticket booth on site that afternoon. Wristbands will be $30. The Clay Self Band will perform later on in the evening at 7:00 p.m. Bring your own lawn chair or a blanket to enjoy the spectacular fireworks display at dusk.
Big Cedar is also offering guests the opportunity to experience the splendor of the fireworks from the water. Lady Liberty, Big Cedar’s 62 foot luxury dinner yacht will set sail to take you on a cruise of Table Rock Lake. Appetizers, drinks, dinner, and entertainment will be served on the cruise. Dinner will include a traditional Caesar salad, your choice of grilled fillet with wild mushroom madeira ragu, gratin potatoes, and roasted asparagus; or rum glazed salmon with mashed potatoes and wilted bok choy. Chocolate gooey butter cake with vanilla bean whipped cream will be served for dessert. Guests will receive a Lady Liberty mug on their cruise. Reservations for this cruise are required and space is limited. The cruise will run from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. and boards at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $129 per guest. For more information, visit www.big-cedar.com or call 1-800-225-6343.
Local distillery Copper Run will also be having a celebration for this national holiday. From 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Copper Run will serve handcrafted drinks with their own homemade moonshine, whiskey, and rum, along with fresh squeezed fruit juices. There will be live music starting at 6 p.m. and you’ll get to hear from the Shotgun Brothers Band, Bo Brown, the Lori Locke Band, and local singer/songwriter Barak Hill. The Wheelhouse will also be serving up Thai and Mexican fusion cuisine. Homemade ice cream and homemade s’mores are also going to be on the menu for this night of fun and festivities.
In addition to these Fourth of July events, the Firecracker 5000 and 10k will also be held on Independence Day. This race begins at 7:15 a.m., and offers a 5k and 10k race on a flat course through the Branson area. There is also a one mile run/walk for those who prefer a stroll or have children who wish to participate. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks. Individuals may register for the race for only $20 before July 1st; after the 1st, registration is $25. For additional information about the Firecracker 5000, visit www.runbranson.com.
No matter how you and your family choose to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday, Branson has something to offer you. So this year, go check out all of the celebration and festivities going on in the Branson area for Fourth of July and enjoy the fireworks and fellowship.
