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[sanddunerider]

sounds like a good day, I am surprised at the lines....  there were a little of 14,000 people there today, but with OR down, that puts the pressure on PK & WF,,,

glad all went well..  happy birthday to the little one..

[How-doFolks]

great review STEPHEN D!

[qwed94]

glad you had a good time Stephen.    BTW -- welcome to our little club here

[okiebluegrass]

Welcome Stephen! good review.

[biscuitcreek]

Made a quick trip up on Friday August 23. Got to the park a little after 3 and was picked up at stop 5.  We didn't ride anything or see any of the shows. Just bought a frozen lemonade and walked around the park. At 3:30 there was already a line for the 6:00 pm Echo Hollow show featuring the Booth Brothers.  The picnic tables by Echo Hollow were full, too. When we walked over to Outlaw Run, one train was running and the wait time was 45 minutes. We had hoped to see the saloon show but missed the last performance at 3:30.

Unfortunately this has turned out to be a year in which we haven't been able to make full use of our season passes and have full days to spend at the park. Our July visit was about an hour long, too. Hopefully, we'll have more time to spend in September when we make our next trip.

[qwed94]

Biscuit-Im sorry your year at SDC has been (well lets say) not the best ever.  I have only been twice this season myself. First time-late March, SNOW, basically park was closed. We stayed about 1 hour.
Second time-Mid-August, nice weather, heavy crowd, medium line for OR. Was able to see Saloon show, Cajun Connection, Echo Hollow....Rode Train, TNT, FM, and OR.

We plan a trip in Oct, Nov, and "maybe" just maybe Dec.

Sure hope your year works out good in the end.

[sanddunerider]

Biscuit, glad you made It to the city, even for just a little but,  most of or visits are 4 hours or less...

Maybe you will get the chance as weather cools off..

my 2 favorite festival are coming up...!!

unfortunately, so is the end of the year

[okiebluegrass]

8/25 - Arrived around 9:30 - Church already nearly full for 10AM service. Enjoyed the sermon. After church went to GE, cause the wife wanted to ride the swings. Had a funnel cake, and then headed to the Lost river. Rode Lost river, (10 minute wait) then headed to The Giant Swing and Outlaw Run. First time for me riding the giant swing, it was ok, but my daughter loved it. OR was down but the music started so we figured they were about to open it. So we got in line 1 car load made it through before it broke down again.... GRRR. From there we headed to River Blast. As always it was a little too wet for my tastes and almost no one was on it. After that, we headed to the train. After the train headed back to HS to change and get ready to ride on the BRanson Belle.

8/26 There at open, Tons of Vets today and the wife wanted to shop so no Opening Ceremony for me. At rope drop headed directly to TGS, and OR. No line on either. Got to ride OR with Allie (my 9 year old). She loved it. Then to Saloon Show. Doesn't start for 30 minutes. Rode FitH (which she hates, cause its in the dark) Then Powder Keg in the front car. No line at all. Went to Saloon Show, Mean Murphy show. It was a lot of fun. Then PK again this time in the back. Followed by 2 times on AP, before heading to the mine ride to finish up the day. Always sad to leave but had to get back to work today.

[HikerDan]

My wife and I made a quick trip to the city on Sunday the 25th hoping to get some ride time in and catch a few of the gospel groups, as well as the pickers.

The Homestead area was VERY crowded with folks at park opening for the Pickers at 10:00. We noticed that there were very few families and youngsters around the park early on, so we decided to try out some rides, figuring them to be deserted.

We were quite surprised to see the entrance to PK open at 10:05, and it put a smile on our faces to see the ride attendants waiting on us, and a few others, to board and get the riding under way; first train of the day!  

After PK twice the plan was to ride a few more rides and catch the 11:15 Three Bridges show at the Riverfront Playhouse, and also catch 12:15 Nelons show at the Opera House.

While riding PK we did notice that an empty train on OR was stopped at the top of its lift hill and didn't appear to be moving any time soon. So strike the Run off the early riding list.

After a few rides on the other various thrill attractions around the park we stopped for a couple of dollar refills in our old faded mugs and strolled our way towards the Playhouse a few minutes before 11:00.  Wow!, BIG crowd was lined up for the show, and we had considerable doubts of getting seats in the Playhouse.

No big deal as we're really not gospel music people anyhow, but we like to see any kind of professional music groups which play at the city. So, it was on to plan B and the Pickers at 11:00.

Another good sized crowd was ready for the guys to play at the Homestead, but we sat on the rock rimmed landscaping off to the right of the Homestead and enjoyed 30 minutes of entertainment.  Geez, it was getting very hot at now, sweating in the shade hot. It was time for a front seat ride on WF to catch some wind in our faces.

We only had to wait two trains to get on the front, most people seemed to be at the city for the gospel shows. After WF twice we set out for the Opera House area and maybe the 12:15 show; and WOW again, the waiting line was backed up to heart-attack hill. Is Rhonda Vincent in town? There was a chance we still could have gotten into the Opera House, but as I wrote before, we're just not that into the style of music to make a point of attending. The Bluegrass Fest is the one when we make sure we'll get into the shows.

We've attended the Southern Gospel Fest a few times in the past, saw several of the shows, and just don't remember the crowds being like they were on this Sunday in August, 2013. That's great for SDC, it looks like the Gospel fest is a hit this year with the folks who like to enjoy those shows. I bet we'll see this Festival return in late August for years to come.

Now I was positive, with all those people over in the Opera House from 12:15 to probably 1:00-ish, that we could easily catch the 12:30 Three Bridges show at the Playhouse. We hadn't ridden the train in awhile, so off towards the station and hopefully a train ride.

Luck would meet up with us, as the train was in the station when we arrived and we walked right onto it with seats to spare. I don't know the fellas name, but there is one particular guy that plays the role of Alfie often and he does the best job with the part. He robbed the train that day and my wife was the one which Ralph called a "blockhead" while trying to get her "gold and silver". Trains for the Outlaw Run were now running and riders were on them.

We hustled from the train station at about 12:23 heading for the Playhouse and most certainly available seating for the show. Holy mother of sellouts!, the doors are all closed to the playhouse as the place was once again full. Wowzers, the Opera House and the Riverfront Playhouse jammed full at the same time. Now that's impressive. If anyone wants to see a gospel show on opening weekend of the Southern Gospel Picnic, you need to get in line fairly early and make it a priority to catch the shows. Once again, great for SDC and this festival.

No big deal to us as we had just witnessed Outlaw Run up and running from our seats on the steam train; so we're off to hopefully a few rides on that wild coaster. As we passed the swing and approached the OR area we noticed it looked fairly quiet around the OR building, and upon further inspection we saw several of the ride attendants, dressed in their cowboy outfits, walking together away from the building. NOT a good sign. The ride was down again and all of the ride employees were leaving the building. So much for that idea.

Boy, it's was HOT walking along the paved area through Wilson's Farm and past the pizza place. After a ride and the FM, and a spin on TnT, we stopped in the air conditioned Candy Factory for some samples and chocolate covered almonds to eat on the trip home to Nixa.

Congrats to SDC and the Gospel groups for the packed houses on Sunday; and once again, if anyone really wants to see those shows (at least on opening weekend), get in line early!

[sanddunerider]

sounds like another good visit....congrats!!

[How-doFolks]

great reviews!!

[busymom4kc]

HikerDan that was a fabulous review! We are headed there this weekend to take in as much as we can. Off to pack.

[sanddunerider]

Had a good visit yesterday (sunday), beautiful cool weather in AM, sun came out and it got pretty warm in tha afternoon with no breeze, light crowd of about 8,000 people.

I thought he park overall looks great, lots of"hands from misouri" all over the park and on the square.

got several performances throughout the day,
started @ 9:20 with the horsecreek band.

we then headed down to see buck Taylor , he was in the shop across from the pizza joint last year. He is no there, he is located over in the frisco barn this year with various other artists. he was not there this weekend, but will be next weekend for the rest of the festival..

while we were in the area it was time for the Stunt show, so I slipped up to the berries and cream and......YES!!, they did!!  the Apple turnovers are back for the rest of the year!!!!,  YUMMY!!!!!!!

Stunt show appeared to be the same as last year... LOTS of action for only 25 minutes, and don't forget the sons of silver dollar do a 15 minute preshow...

After that we checked out the Trick riders, a little disappointed with that show, they trick rode about 10 minutes, did some trick Bull Whipping, and some Trick roping. the roping lasted probably 10 minutes.. the performers were all very good, but I was expecting all horse trick riding...  But make sure you see it once anyway.

Got done there just in time to see a little gal playing guitar and singing right there in front of the hall, her name escapes me but she did a fine job,

Time to listen to Kent Rollins and his cowboys stories around the chuck wagon, I love hearing his stories and sampling his food or coffee..

Well time for lunch, the pathfinder had a big ad for Mary's Springhouse and their Ham and Beans, And Catfish,  sounded GOOD to me, so we headed that way.... Guess what??  closed!  yep CLOSED!!! Darn the luck.. headed for lumberjack and had the pork tenderloin sandwhich....  Good stuff.!!

Ok, back to watch the stunt show 1 more tme,  sun was high and bright and it was HOT!!!>>>>>

Headed for Gazebo, watched Kerry do some folk songs, very nice, relaxing,,,,

Next right there at the  Gazebo we listened to Home Rangers, another above average group.

Done there....  it was hot, and I was tired.. I was planning on GAC, decided I will see them in 2 weeks..

All done!!, headed for the car,,!!

All in all great day, great music, good sights, good food...............

[Junior]

Thanks for the review, sounds like a fun trip.

[Junior]

So, travelers, how has the weekend gone at SDC? Reviews and photos posted, please!