*** UPDATED ***
  
2011 WINTER TRAVEL TIPS & TOPICS

 

For Immediate Release                  Media Contact:  Marjorie Beenders, The Beenders Walker Group

Jan. 4, 2011                                       Phone: 573-636-8282 « E-mail: tbmg00mb@aol.com

*Please note: This newsletter has been revised to include corrected information regarding the St. Patrick's Day Parade On the Water (See Below).
Visitors Enjoy Music and Fun, All Winter Long
at Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks

NEWS MEDIA NOTE: Travelers to Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks enjoy the best of both worlds...fun and festivities, from parades to pub crawls to music galore...as well as the quiet serenity and beauty of nature. Read all about these topics and tips to inspire stories about the winter season at the Lake of the Ozarks. For more information, color images or to arrange a media tour, please contact us!

 

Ha Ha Tonka in winter
Ha Ha Tonka bluffs in snowy splendor.
bald eagle
See bald eagles by Lake or land at Eagle Days, Jan. 8-9.
 

] EAGLES ARE READY FOR THEIR CLOSE-UP... at the 2011 Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 8, and 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 9, sponsored by the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau and the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.  Visitors will see some of the 100-plus bald eagles that spend the winter at the Lake before heading to their northern homes in late March.  The magnificent birds can be viewed at several locations.  The Adirondack-style Willmore Lodge, #1 Willmore Lane, just off Business Highway 54 (Bagnell Dam Boulevard) in Lake Ozark, http://www.willmorelodge.com/, will feature eagle art projects for children and a spectacular Lake panorama; Osage National Golf Resort, 400 Osage Hills Road in Lake Ozark, http://www.osagenational.com/, where environmental educators from the World Bird Sanctuary will present "All About Eagles" every hour on the hour (last show 3 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday), featuring a live eagle and other birds of prey; Osage River access points above and below Bagnell Dam, where eagle-watchers will warm up with free hot chocolate and fire pits; and weather permitting, Eagle Watch cruises will be offered for $5 per person at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on the Tom Sawyer Excursion Boat, http://www.lakeareachamber.com/pages/tom-huck.htm.  Volunteer naturalists will be available to answer questions at Willmore Lodge and Osage National.  Don't forget your cameras and binoculars!  Several Lake-area lodging properties will offer special Eagle Days discounts or packages.  For details contact the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at (800) FUN LAKE or visit http://www.funlake.com/.

 

] GET MARRIED AT THE LAKE ...Did you know, certain Lake-area bed-and-breakfasts, full-service resorts, golf resorts and excursion boats will help couples obtain marriage licenses, find bridal gowns, order wedding cakes, hire photographers and officiants and more!  And what better time to get married--or renew marriage vows--than on Valentine's Day, Monday, Feb. 14 at the Lake of the Ozarks?  After all, the Lake in the winter is a magical destination--quiet, peaceful, and so beautiful in its stark serenity--it just naturally brings out the romance in everyone.  Lake-area lodging offers cozy settings, including fireplaces and whirlpools, plus special winter getaway package rates.  Lakefront or Lake-view candlelight dining also adds to the romantic ambiance.  Find out why the Lake of the Ozarks truly is the perfect setting for getting to know each other all over again.

snowy docks
The serene beauty of the Lake in winter is the perfect backdrop for romance.

 

Liverpool Legends 

World famous Liverpool Legends return to the

Lake of the Ozarks, Mar. 4-5.

] BRITISH INVASION, PART 3 ...  Liverpool Legends-the world's best Beatles tribute band-will return to the Lake of the Ozarks for the third consecutive year, performing two unforgettable shows at the Main Street Music Hall in Osage Beach, at 8:00 p.m., Friday, March 4 and Saturday, March 5, announced Jim Divincen, director of the Tri-County Lodging Association, the sponsor of the event.  Louise Harrison, sister of the late George Harrison, personally selected the four incredibly talented musicians who look, play and sound just like John, Paul, George and Ringo.  When they're not selling out shows at the Lake (like they did the past two years) and at other venues around the world, Liverpool Legends perform at the Mansion Theatre in Branson.  In fact, the group has been voted Best Band and Best Show in Branson numerous times.  The show spans the entire career of the Beatles and the solo years, complete with costume changes, vintage instruments, special effects-and astonishing attention to musical detail.  Everyone who experiences Liverpool Legends truly believes it's the real thing!  Tickets will be $25 for adults, $20 for children 12 or younger and $30 for premium seating.  Tickets may be purchased at the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau, 5815 Highway 54, or call 800 FUN LAKE or (573) 348-1599.  Several lodging properties will offer special rates for this exciting event.  Want to talk to Louise herself?  She loves to share tales about "the boys."  Contact tbmg00mb@aol.com to arrange an interview.
Polar Bear Plunge
They'll be freezin' for a reason at the Polar Bear Plunge, Feb. 26.

 

] BONK, PLUNGE, BRRRR ... February may be frosty but that doesn't keep hardy souls from traveling to the Lake of the Ozarks to take part in or watch two chilly and challenging events!  First, on Saturday, Feb. 19 at Lake of the Ozarks State Park, up to 40 teams with names like Wing & A Prayer, Advengineers, Orange Lederhosen and Bi-Polar Bear Market, will compete in the 6th annual Bonk Hard Chill adventure/endurance race-a test of nerves and skill in mountain biking, lake paddling, running, trekking and orienteering, lasting 7-13 hours on an all-new course for 2011. http://bonkhardchill.com/bhc06/.  The following weekend, rain, sleet or sunshine, on Saturday, Feb. 26, the 16th annual Polar Bear Plunge will raise money for Special Olympics as dozens of wacky, costumed "plungers" will parade at 2 p.m. and then run into the frigid waters at Lake of the Ozarks State Park.  The 10th annual Polar Bear Strut 5K run/walk will take place in the morning.  It's always a great day for a great cause!  http://somo.org/lozplunge.


  

Mardi Gras logo
Unofficially the world's largest Mardi Gras pub crawl--only at the Lake of the Ozarks, Feb. 19!

 

 

]
LAKE'S (AND WORLD'S) LARGEST MARDI GRAS PUB CRAWL ... Organizers of the Lake of the Ozarks Mardi Gras Pub Crawl, http://lakeareapubcrawl.com/, say it's (unofficially) the world's largest--and the 10th annual event, 4 p.m. - 1:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 19, is sure to break all records, with up to 6,000 participants traveling on a fleet of safe, convenient buses to more than 15 Lake-area restaurants and bars, including Ozarks barbecue and Chicago-style pizza to seafood and Mexican favorites and more.  Shuttles also will transport visitors to select hotels and resorts.  Bars will offer live rock, blues and country music plus DJ's and karaoke.  Mardi Gras-ers will collect plenty of beads and souvenirs throughout the night. Participants must be 21 years of age in order to purchase wristbands, just $5 each and available at Pub Crawl venues.  Make it a Mardi Gras Weekend at the Lake with special lodging savings.  For information, please visit Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau or call (800) FUN LAKE.

st. patrick's day]  PRESENTING A PAIR O'FANTASTIC ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADES ... on Saturday, March 12!  First, the 27th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, sponsored by the Bagnell Dam Strip Association, will start at 1:00 p.m.  Spectators by the thousands line Business Highway 54 to watch more than 100 creative floats travel to the Historic Bagnell Dam Strip.  Kids love it! 

 

** UPDATED INFORMATION **
On the Lake's west side, the Lake West Chamber will present the 20th annual St. Pat's Parade on the Water, starting at 11:00 a.m. at Ozark Bar B Que on State Highway TT-75 (by water, it's at the 10.5 mile marker) in Sunrise Beach. This fun parade features colorfully decorated boats traveling on the Gravois Arm of the Lake.
 
Boy and fish
There are plenty more whoppers to catch at the Lake of the Ozarks--even in the winter!
FISHING'S JUST FINE AT THE LAKE IN THE WINTER ... A lot of anglers swear by wintertime fishing at the Lake of the Ozarks.  With its 54,000 surface acres plus rock bluffs, mudflats, gravel bars, coves, creeks, docks and crappie beds, fishermen keep coming back to the Lake for bass, catfish, crappie, stripers, paddlefish, walleye and bluegill. Throughout the Lake area, resorts cater to anglers with heated docks (some featuring TVs and couches!), plenty of boat and trailer parking, big fish-cleaning areas and more.  In addition, winter is the best time to track bass movement.  Experts say on sunny winter days, you can catch bass in shallower water along rock banks that attract the fish bass like to eat.  Bring your own boat or rent one--or hire a professional guide who knows where to find the fish you want to catch.  Contact the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau or call (800) FUN LAKE for more information.
dogwoods 

] COMIN' UP ... Make plans now to cover these outstanding annual events at the Lake.

April 7-9         13th ANNUAL GREAT LAKE OF THE OZARKS GOSPEL SING

Some of Gospel music's greats-including The Booth Brothers, Greater Vision, Triumphant Quartet, Higher Power Quartet, The Lesters-will lift and inspire at the Main Street Music Hall. http://greatlakeoftheozarksgospelsing.com/

 

April 14-17      61ST ANNUAL DOGWOOD FESTIVAL, "LOVIN' THE LAKE"

Camdenton's great-granddaddy of a festival has it all-parades, food, music, kids' activities and much, much more. Dogwood Festival

                       

                         

 

NEWS MEDIA NOTE:  For more information on these topics or a complete media kit with details on everything to see and do at Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks, please contact Marjorie Beenders at 1-800-544-8474.

 

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