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[palallin]

Having gotten away from home Friday later than hoped and having indulged my wife in some shopping in Springfield, she and I got to the city much later on Friday than hoped, about quarter to 6.  Essentially, we walked down to Echo Hollow and watched GAC for the first time.  The show was not crowded—cool weather must have taken its toll—but the audience was lively enough (probably to keep warm).  I'm not much of a fan of what passes for country music these days, so I considered the show to be so-so.  'WAY too much hip-hop influence.  I was delighted to see the band had a steel guitar.  The piano player was quite impressive but out of his genre.  It was a good way to spend an evening, but I won't repeat it until and unless the show changes significantly.
After the show, as we walked up to the HH, we passed a crew on a cherry picker getting the lights on the Blue Tree—Boy, did it stick out!  We grabbed supper at IHOP and arrived at the Homestay to find Paige in a great mood and VERY helpful, as always.  When the list is made of Branson's best values and most valuable people, Homestay and Paige MUST be at the top.
My wife didn't set her alarm right, so we slept in a little Saturday morning, which meant we got to HH about 9:00, and the line for Molly's stretched back to the Gazebo, so we went back down to eat at Eva & Delilah's.  I missed the buffet, but pastries just don't get any better!
We made it to the square for the opening—the changes in characters were surprising—grabbed some fruit preserves at the apple House, and caught the Pickers.  My wife asked them to do "Lorena," which they hadn't done for a long time, and we were pleased that they indulged her.   Right after, we went to Violet Hensley's booth, and we talked with her and her daughter for a good half hour.  My wife dabbles at the fiddle, and she was just blown away by the grand old gal (96 Sunday!).  We missed her the previous years, so finally getting to talk with her was a REAL treat.
After that, we bought a new log of lye soap (as we were getting low at home) and went to the leather shop.  They had some vests on sale, and my wife made me get one (it will probably go in the closet to become a Christmas present for me).  $23 w/tax!
Then we went to the Carousel Barn/Cowboy Emporium, and we met and talked with Buck Taylor.  I told him I've liked his work since "Gunsmoke," and he pointed at my hat and asked me about it.  When I told him what unit I re-enacted with and that I really liked him as Col. Gamble in "Gettysburg," he told me that he felt "Gettysburg" was the most significant film he'd been in, that he enjoyed it immensely, and that there is talk that "Last Full Measure" is finally going to get made and that he really wants to be in it.  I just wish we could have afforded some of his prints.  Excellent work!  The man has many talents.
We walked around the riverfront and back up to the depot to catch the train.  On the way, we got a couple of frozen drinks—lemonade for me and strawberry for her, the GOOD stuff.  The line for the train was along the fence up by Bear Holler, but we only waited one round as they were running four cars. The trip seemed a bit rushed, but the skit went well.  As usual, we did FM right after the train, and it was becoming obvious that attendance was UP.  The line was out to the bridge.
She then went to the HH to get a new pin to trade with—she got a neat Thanksgiving pin with dangling leaves, and she also traded for an employee pin.  FM right after the train, and it was becoming obvious that attendance was UP.
We went straight to see the Stunt Show.  My take on it differs a bit from many expressed here, for I didn't go into it expecting much stuntwork.  What I saw was a narrative drama—a play—that included some comic relief and some stunt work.   Other than being a bit short and therefore needing either some work on the flow of the plot or more time for it to unfold, the show was quite good.  I think the problem is that people are expecting stunts and not getting them, so the fault lies in the advertising, not the show.  We were quite pleased, and we enjoyed talking with the players afterwards.  One highlight of those conversations, was watching "Professor Guano" try to explain his Irish to a lady visiting from Ireland ;-)
After the show, we spent some time just walking around and enjoying the fall colors and looking at some crafters.  At 3:00, my wife up to trade at the HH, got another neat pin, and then bought a replacement new one.  We then caught Chris McDaniel at the Gazebo and enjoyed his show.  The kids he pulled on stage actually did very well—good on him for doing so!
We decided on a late train ride, and again had to wait only one time.  My wife had to duck into Becca's on the way.  Then it was up to buy some Taffy and out the OM (chatting with the Cedar Creek Dulcimer people on the way).  We waited longer for a tram than for the train (either time).

General Impressions:  This was our only time at Harvest Fest this year, and I agree that the decorations were first rate (the encroachment of the Christmas lights and wreaths notwithstanding).  The weather was Great, and the trees were just beautiful.  The local critter population was out in force.  I really enjoyed the walk out of the park Friday night—very few Christmas lights—just the door lamps and a few street lamps around the buildings.  Once again, I could wish for an opportunity to stay the night in the park—at least late—without all the commotion and lighting of the Midnight Madness or the OTC fests.  Just the quiet, subdued Ozarks nighttime!
A very sad note:  just north of the Ozark Mountain Highroad on 65, there was a serious accident just a few minutes before we got on the highway.  A church van (there were MANY there Saturday) had bounced off the concrete divider and spun around to end up in the ditch on the right up against some rocks and facing the traffic.  The van was in pretty bad shape, and there must have been 8 ambulances there, not counting the other emergency vehicles.  Our family's prayers for the victims (about whom I have been able to learn nothing) continue.  Be careful on those roads, folks!  (One positive point:  the drivers on the highway kept the rubbernecking to a minimum, and they were VERY generous about letting traffic merge, a decided change from what I normally see).

Well, that's it till OTC!

[sanddunerider]

Palillin, sounds like a great trip..

Dont look for GAC show to change for 2 or 3 years, This is a new show now, so as we all know there want be any changes for a while..

[eagle1]

Then we went to the Carousel Barn/Cowboy Emporium, and we met and talked with Buck Taylor.  I told him I've liked his work since "Gunsmoke," and he pointed at my hat and asked me about it.  When I told him what unit I re-enacted with and that I really liked him as Col. Gamble in "Gettysburg," he told me that he felt "Gettysburg" was the most significant film he'd been in, that he enjoyed it immensely, and that there is talk that "Last Full Measure" is finally going to get made and that he really wants to be in it.  I just wish we could have afforded some of his prints.  Excellent work!  The man has many talents.

See I knew that hat is special! Seriously, when you are ready to get another I'll be happy to take the one you have off your hands!  Happy to hear you had a great time and it was great to have you all here with us again. See you soon! 

[okiebluegrass]

Last Saturday, the wife and I and my 23 Y.O. stepdaughter made it down to SDC. Got there around 9:30. Talked to Violet Hensley and her daughter for a long time, then went down went to the saloon show. Then continued down the Hill and rode FiTH. went over to ride the train but the lines were ridiculous. Rode the mine ride (even had to wait 15 minutes for that) Wife and daughter did a lot of shopping. Got cookie cutters and stuff from the candleshop. Ate at the mine for lunch. I thought it was excellent but I was full after one plate. The afternoon consisted of riding the swings in GE (Joely's favorite) followed by LROTO which had no line at all. Rode twice without getting out, then on to TAHRB. At this time thoroughly soaked, went back to Homestay. Had a great trip!

[mhguy77]

Did nobody from this comunity go down this weekend?
I am looking forward to some reports on the new show.

[Junior]

Yup, same here! How is "It's a Wonerful Life," and the rest of the Christmas celebration?

[mammalone]

Went last night. Saw Living Nativity and Its a wonderful life. I'm not one that is big on shows so they were ok for me. I would much rather have been riding rides. The only thing about the new show, Wonderful Life, in order to see it you really have to be there about an hour before show time. It fills up almost immediately and people were almost fighting for seats. Next time I'll be on the rides.

On another note, saw Pete Herschend just walking around the park with a couple kiddos.

[sanddunerider]

nothing unusual about an hour wait, i have had to wait an hour for scrooge, and headin west a number of times...

[MissinTheGreenTrams]

We will be going soon and I was wondering is there any chance to ride the train? Or will I be spending what little time I have waiting in line?

[sanddunerider]

I had no trouble riding the train the 1st weekend.... good luck..

[DollarCityBoy]

So how is the Living Nativity this year now that it is in Riverfront Playhouse?

[mammalone]

Living Nativity was ok, but i don't really have anything to compare it to. I didn't see it the last couple of years. I actually expected live animals, etc., like some of the churches do around here. Did they use the same storyline last year with Gabriel telling the story? The actor that played Gabriel had a foreign accent -- some of the time we couldn't understand him at all. I don't know--just wasn't at all what I expected.

[biscuitcreek]

My husband and I spent the entire day, opening to closing, at SDC on 11/16. We heard Pure Heart at the gazebo (full disclosure -- singing to tracks).

At the rope drop we headed to Red Gold Heritage Hall for the first performance of the day of "It's a Wonderful Life". There are 2 lines: one for Show Lovers pass holders and the disabled, and the other line is for everyone else. The doors opened 45 minutes before the show began for the disabled and Show Lovers. The disabled can sit in their motorized chairs on the floor and those with them can sit in a folding chair. Show Lovers are in the lowest rows of the center section. The other set of doors opened 30 minutes before the show started. We were able to get seats in the 3rd row just to the right of the Show Lovers seating, and we could see the stage very well. IAWL is a Broadway style production. (Full disclosure -- the actors/singers are singing to tracks). We thoroughly enjoyed the show and liked it better than this year's version of Dickens. You will recognize some of the songs in IAWL from other musicals and from pop music of recent years. Just don't go in expecting the show to be exactly like the movie.

IAWL got out in time for us to walk across the park and walk directly into the Opera House for the 2nd showing of Dickens. Didn't think Dickens was as good this year, maybe because some of the actors that are usually in the production are now in IAWL. (Full disclosure -- Dickens has 2 live musicians that play along with tracks).

Then we spent some time just walking around, riding rides, etc. Got some hot wassail which was much better than the last time we bought wassail about 3 years ago. Aunt Polly's restaurant has been torn down and there is construction fencing up in that area. As we walked by we heard bits and pieces of Frosty and the Cajun Christmas show.

Decided to skip the 6 pm parade and went to the saloon show. The saloon show had a 3 piece band: piano, drums, brass. Scoops McCoy who has tended bar for years was not there. Most of the people in the cast were different than the usual saloon cast (some of the regulars are in the other 2 productions). Jae McFerron who usually plays Choctaw Charlie at Christmas was not part of the cast. The show was basically the same as last year's show but it fell flat at times. The cast didn't seem in tune with each other.

After the saloon show we went to get our Christmas ornaments and season passes in the old schoolhouse by the Homestead. We had to wait in line for 45 minutes because for 30 minutes there was just 1 person selling passes and giving out the ornaments, and there were over 20 people in the line. After 20 minutes in line a guest ahead of me left and went to customer relations to get her pass and ornament. I told her to tell them the employee needed help. 10 minutes later another employee showed up to help.

We then went to the living nativity at the Riverfront Playhouse. Easier to see the presentation in this venue. There is a new set and no live animals in this production. The angel narrator/singer is one of the 2 who have been in the production the last 3 or 4 years. (Full disclosure -- the angel and Mary are singing to tracks, and the background singers are on the tracks).

We got out in time to walk to our usual spot to see the 8 pm parade. After the parade we were able to go over and get near the front of the line for the last train of the evening.

Lots of trams at the time the park closed so we didn't have to wait long to get back to our vehicle. The trams did have some problems because 2 trucks were using the tram road to get out of the park instead of driving out the designated route through the parking lot.

Other observations -- some new lights in the big tree in front of the train station and in some of the trees on the square but it seemed as though fewer trees had lights this year. And for some reason it doesn't seem like much effort was put into the lights in the Grand Exposition.

Had an enjoyable day in the park and hope to go again in December.

(This is basically the same review I posted on 1branson.com)

[sanddunerider]

Sounds like a full, productive day...

I have also noticed that the last 2 year, less trees being decorated..Thought it was me being critical, but since you noticed it also.......

[Joy]

I was noticing less lights on the trees, too!