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[sanddunerider]

Had a good visit yestarday (sunday 23rd)..... arrived about 30 minutes before opening ceremony, trams area lookked very nice, I thought the courtyard/gazebo area looked great as well as most of the park...seemed to be more "scarecrows" than i remember all over the park.. on another notel lots of lights up for OTC already..

1st stop---Horse tricks..  very cute worth watching
2nd-Syd Masters @ the gazebo...old classic western songs... was a good show,
3rd Chris mcdaniel, bull whip and lariet rope artist...
whew!! done in the courtyad, lunch at the mine before moving on..
4th watch the dancing horse in the courtyad area....
5..headed to tom and hucks area, bought a print of Buck Taylor (newly from gunsmoke),  Had him autograph, NICE guy he also has some BEUTIFEL water color painting for sale that he has done of old gunsmoke scenes...NICE, talked for a few minutes and moved on..... GOTTA keep MOVIn today!!!
6..headed ot the new stunt show,,,  WOW!!! make sure you plan on seeing this at least twice..there is so much action you will miss at least 1/2 of it the 1st time through
7.. red gold courtyard, gentleman there with his rescued mustang horses.....nice
8.. kent rollins and his chuck wagon and tales.... make sure you check this out,,,, great coffee and cornbread when he is all done.... 
9.. to  local Travis Loewen doing cowboy poetry, mildly entertianing, but worth seeing once..
10.YEP!!! back to the Stunt Show,,,,,
11..rode the train, looked at the new coaster...WOW!!  really has come a lot since i have seen it about 6 weeks ago.
12.. couple of trips though flooded mine.
13.... APPLE DUMPLING TIME!!!!  it was great! will be a daily snack now,!! thanks to everyone that said to try it!!
14... finished up the day with the GAC show,,,, it is a all new show, with new songs, and 2 or 3 new members in the band..If you have the chance, make sure you see it...
15...  THAT's it!!  had great weather, didnt notice the crowd, BUT we were on the east side primarily...Good day... NO pictures this trip.... Will be back in 2 weeks and will bring camera then...

[Parson B Ready]

Thanks for the review Sanddune!  More importantly, glad you finally got to have an Apple Dumpling! 

[Junior]

Sandune...full day of activity. Sounds like a great trip. Thanks for the review.

[How-doFolks]

Great review! Go-go-go!!

[Swoosh]

Trip Report from Friday
http://midwestinfoguide.com/migcrew/2012/SDCharvest/

[Junior]

Thanks, Swoosh! Looks good.

[Zephon]

Nice review of your visit, Swoosh.  And great pictures. 

I'm sorry you didn't like the stunt show.  You're right...it's not a "major stunt show".  I've seen "major stunt shows" that other major parks offer, and even though they probably had ten times the budget that we had, quite frankly they leave a lot to be desired.  Stunts just for the sake of stunts?  Without any background or story line?  Meh.  I'll take SDC's version. 

As for being "sub-par" for an SDC show, actually, it harkens back to the great SDC shows of the past which offered a little bit of enjoyment for everyone, and characters that people grew to know and love.  Like the shows that used to be in the Courthouse/Gaslight Theater/Riverfront Playhouse, and the old Saloon shows.  Sadly, the Entertainment department has gotten away from those character driven shows in favor of the larger production shows like those you're used to seeing in the Opera House.  Yes, they feature good singers and dancers, but lack the "characters" which audiences grow to love.  No personal touch.  Shoot, they don't even stay out after the show to greet and meet the audience...how un-SDC like is that?   

On the day that you were there, 49% of the people who were on park saw the stunt show...that's unheard of.  It's considered good if 15% of park attendees see an Echo show, great if 20% see it.  I see everyone exiting the show with smiles on their faces, laughing and talking about it, and there has not been even a hint that anyone was dissatisfied with the show.  I realize that you're just being candid with your feelings about it, and that's perfectly fine.  But I do hope you'll give it another chance.

[Gilligan]

So...they really had 49% attendance at Echo Hollow?  That's fantastic!!  Echo Hollow is such a beautiful place.  I hope it continues to pull in the larger crowds.  I would hate to see that area considered for something other than theatre and music.  I haven't seen the new show yet, but my interest is definitely piqued now with reviews coming in.  Two more weeks to wait!!  With the opening of Outlaw Run and renewed public interest in Echo Hollow (and frozen lemonade and apple dumplings), SDC "has a great future ahead of them".

[Swoosh]

Nice review of your visit, Swoosh.  And great pictures. 

I'm sorry you didn't like the stunt show.  You're right...it's not a "major stunt show".  I've seen "major stunt shows" that other major parks offer, and even though they probably had ten times the budget that we had, quite frankly they leave a lot to be desired.  Stunts just for the sake of stunts?  Without any background or story line?  Meh.  I'll take SDC's version. 

As for being "sub-par" for an SDC show, actually, it harkens back to the great SDC shows of the past which offered a little bit of enjoyment for everyone, and characters that people grew to know and love.  Like the shows that used to be in the Courthouse/Gaslight Theater/Riverfront Playhouse, and the old Saloon shows.  Sadly, the Entertainment department has gotten away from those character driven shows in favor of the larger production shows like those you're used to seeing in the Opera House.  Yes, they feature good singers and dancers, but lack the "characters" which audiences grow to love.  No personal touch.  Shoot, they don't even stay out after the show to greet and meet the audience...how un-SDC like is that?   

On the day that you were there, 49% of the people who were on park saw the stunt show...that's unheard of.  It's considered good if 15% of park attendees see an Echo show, great if 20% see it.  I see everyone exiting the show with smiles on their faces, laughing and talking about it, and there has not been even a hint that anyone was dissatisfied with the show.  I realize that you're just being candid with your feelings about it, and that's perfectly fine.  But I do hope you'll give it another chance.

Sorry, but the show left me wanting "SUMPTIN' MO"
Still think it's stupid that they are not doing Headin' West anymore, IMHO.

[sanddunerider]

great pics... i too am surprised at your comments swoosh,,,,,

BUT your right about wanting "sumtin mo"....as i stated earlier the  skit could have easily lasted an hour or even longer,,

There's is LOTS of action and thing going on, which I watched it twice. 

I realize that it is not a "branson" show,, but considering SDC and some of there other "shows", I was both impressed and pleased with the final result..

AND just FYI....I was thinking about a return trip on 27/28.....BUT SDC is closed sunday the 28th, to get ready for OTC!!!!

[Junior]

Zephon: Glad to hear the powers that be have done something with a show that is somewhat like the old shows I remember from when I worked there. Could that not occur more often? Also liked your nice response to Swoosh! You are the same nice fellow from the Saloon that I remember passing on the street from time to time who always had a nice "howdy" for me!

[Swoosh]

I guess call me jaded.  The GP that attend the park are going to eat it up.  Well traveled people like myself are going to bored with it.  It's a decent show, but IMHO most of the stunts feel forced - the explosions at the end especially.  I found the "daughter's" need to scream every time she was on stage pretty annoying. 

IDK.  The entertainment for this festival just seemed rather lacking when you look back at what the park has had thus far this year.  I know OTC will make up for it, but IDK.  This is usually one of my favorite festivals because it is more laid back. 

I think what would have been better would have been a Wild Bill's style show.  That would be more theme appropriate too.

[sanddunerider]

 - """"I found the "daughter's" need to scream every time she was on stage pretty annoying.  ''''

OHYEA!!!!   forgot about the screaming!!!   YEs that could be backed off a little....

[Zephon]

I do understand your points, Swoosh.  And I'm not sore at you, or anything like that.  It's my understanding that the show went through several budget cuts in the pre-production period, so the Sumptin MO that you're wanting may be lying on the cutting room floor, so to speak.  And yes, the screaming is annoying.  I guess I've heard it so much now that I just tune it out.  On a side note, one of the stars of the show was out sick the day you were there...a cute little pig that makes a couple of appearances is a real crowd pleaser.

Thanks, Junior.  Man o man...I do miss those days.  I too wish they would bring some of those shows back.  A whole new generation would be quite ripe for them.  People enjoy the big shows we produce now but these shows lack personality, don't they.  People used to not only enjoy the shows, but they loved the characters. 

[Swoosh]

It's my understanding that the show went through several budget cuts in the pre-production period.

I had heard that as well, but hearing it from you makes it even more "concrete" for me.
That's sad too because when they first announced it way back last year, they (Brad, PR/Marketing team) sounded most excited about this and the Its A Wonderful Life.  Sure hope they didn't cut the budget on that as well - that's not something your really should skimp on.

I still don't understand why they didn't bring back Headin' West.  It always seems to be a crowd pleaser and people line up for it ahead of time just like they do with Dickens.  There was NO lines to speak of to see the Country Music singers.  If anyone even went to go see them.