All Seasons, So Many Reasons

It has been 50 years since the world first watched the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show.  In March, Liverpool Legends, the award-winning Beatles tribute band, will take you back in time to those days when the "Fab Four" were lighting up stages across America.  This amazing Branson show, created by Louise Harrison, sister of the late George Harrison, is coming again to the Main Street Music Hall in Osage Beach for two performances on Friday and Saturday, March 7-8, at 8 p.m. 

The show gives audiences the full Beatles experience.  Vintage video footage of the Beatles serves as a backdrop for the performance and audience members are invited to stand near the stage, enhancing the live concert atmosphere.  Louise Harrison hand-picked the performers for the Liverpool Legends show, both for their striking physical resemblance to the original Beatles and for their musical expertise. 

These talented artists faithfully recreate performances from throughout the Beatles' career, complete with wardrobe changes to represent the different eras of the band's history, and then continue on through the years of band members' solo performances.  The result is a widely-acclaimed and crowd-pleasing tribute that engages audience members and takes them back to the years when the world was in the throes of "Beatle Mania."

Enjoy the luck of the Irish March 15 at the 4th Annual St. Patrick's Day Short Bus Shuffle on the Lake's West Side. Ten restaurants and nightspots along Hwy. 5 will offer live entertainment, drink specials and St. Patrick's Day dishes, while five participating lodging facilities offer special rates for the event. Ten shuttle buses will safely transport "shufflers" from location to location, beginning at 4 p.m.  A required $5 wristband grants entrance to any location along the shuffle route and is also required to ride the shuttles.  The wristbands, as well as souvenir shirts, are available prior to the event at any participating location.  Many shuffle attendees will be decked out in St. Patrick's Day attire.

Spring is spawning time for bass at the Lake of the Ozarks and that means one thing for fishermen and fisherwomen - big fish and big prize money!  

The Lake of the Ozarks features two spring fishing tournaments that are sure to be favorites with anglers.

March 29-30 boats take to the water for the Annual Alhonna Resort Early Bird Open Buddy Bass Tournament.  This spring tournament offers a great way to start a new fishing season at Lake of the Ozarks and draws anglers from throughout the Midwest.  Because the tournament often occurs during the bass' natural spawning period, seven- and eight-pound fish are not uncommon. Take-off occurs at 7 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Weigh-ins are at 4 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday, with cash prizes distributed following Sunday's weigh-in. For more information about the tournament, including registration information, visit www.Alhonna.com.

The Triumphant Quartet returns to the Great Lake of the Ozarks Gospel Sing.

The sounds of the 16th Annual Great Lake of the Ozarks Gospel Sing, April 3-5, are guaranteed to raise the roof of the Main Street Music Hall, as well as your spirits.

The Gospel Sing began in 1998 as a group of volunteers designed an event that set gospel music against the beautiful backdrop of the Lake of the Ozarks.  The original event included both Southern Gospel and contemporary Christian music.  Now, the two music styles are separated into separate festivals, with the Gospel Sing featuring the traditional sounds of Southern Gospel music.

No matter what time of year, there is always something fun and exciting going on at the Lake of the Ozarks. For more information about getaway packages, lodging, dining, shopping, events and attractions throughout the Lake area, contact the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253) or visit the Bureau's website, FunLake.com.

FEB. 15

2014 MARDI GRAS 

PUB CRAWL  

The Mardi Gras Pub Crawl is the Lake area's biggest off-season special event.  This year's crawl will be held Saturday, Feb. 15, and will feature food, drink and live entertainment at 22 of the area's best restaurants and nightspots.

A wristband, available for just $10, provides admission to all pub crawl locations, as well as shuttle bus transportation to and from all of the venues and participating hotels, motels and resorts.  "On any given weekend, you could pay as much as $10 to get into just one live entertainment venue at the Lake," said Jeff Carroll, pub crawl organizer.  "For the same price, the pub crawl offers 22 venues, as well as transportation.  That's a deal you can't beat."

FEB. 22

LAKE OF THE OZARKS POLAR PLUNGE

Brave souls with warm hearts and funny costumes will take a Polar Plunge into the frigid waters of the Lake of the Ozarks on Feb. 22 as part of their commitment to Special Olympics Missouri's year-round program of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. 

APRIL 24-26

64TH ANNUAL DOGWOOD FESTIVAL 

The Lake area's most enduring festival gives visitors the opportunity to see Missouri's state tree in all its springtime beauty.  Dogwoods dot the forested hills around the Lake of the Ozarks, with white and pink blooms signaling the coming of spring and summer.  Camdenton's Dogwood Festival offers fun for the entire family.  Events include a parade, carnival, crafts, several pageants, golf tournament, fish fry and plenty of other festival food, plus entertainment.  Visit the festival website for more information:   www.camdentonchamber.com/dogwood-festival.asp.

MAY 2-4

MAGIC DRAGON STREET MEET NATIONALS 

The Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals is a unique show for all makes, models, and years of cars, trucks, and motorcycles.  In 2013, the show celebrated its 25th anniversary with a large attendance of both entries and attendees.  Organizers say 2014's event promises to be even bigger and better than ever. The fact that the Strip is closed to other traffic during show hours creates an electric atmosphere, with the only vehicles in sight being the show vehicles.  Some say it's like being on the set of "American Graffiti."  Learn more about the festival at: www.MagicDragonCarShow.com. 

MAY 3

SPRING HARBOR HOP 

The Lake of the Ozarks boating season kicks off May 3 with the Spring Harbor Hop.  The event allows participants to "hop" (by water or land) to waterfront restaurants and marinas.  Players can donate $15 per seven-card hand, drawing playing cards at each of the approximately 40 sponsoring restaurants and marinas along the Lake's main channel, the Big Niangua and Gravois arms to build a winning poker hand.  The Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau has been sponsoring the event for 17 years, welcoming boaters back to the Lake for a season of fun on the water.  For more information about the Harbor Hop, call 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253). For a full list of participating Harbor Hop locations, rules and event hours, visit FunLake.com/HarborHop. 

Note to Media: The spring season is full of exciting travel stories at the Lake of the Ozarks!  For more information, media assistance or high-resolution photos, please call The Beenders-Walker Group toll-free at 800-544-8474 or email Deb, Marjorie, Jo, or Kyle.

LAKE OF THE OZARKS TRI-COUNTY LODGING ASSOCIATION & CONVENTION AND VISITOR BUREAU

Phone: 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253) Fax: 573-348-4292 

P.O. Box 1498  Osage Beach, MO 65065

Website: www.FunLake.com  Email: Info@FunLake.com   

FunLake.com

Liverpool Legends

St. Patrick's Day Short Bus Shuffle

Spring Buddy Bass Tournament

Big Bass Bash

Great Lake of the Ozarks Gospel Sing

Mardi Gras Pub Crawl

Lake of the Ozarks Polar Plunge

Annual Dogwood Festival

Magic Dragon Street Meet

Spring Harbor Hop

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