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March 31, 2014

Spring Travel Tips & Story Starters

Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. - Spring brings out the nature-lover in Lake of the Ozarks visitors. The average temperatures are in the 60s and 70s, perfect for enjoying the great outdoors. And the outdoors is especially great at the Lake! Read on for tips and story starters about springtime in the Ozarks. For more info, color images or other assistance, please contact Marjorie, Jo, Deb or Kyle at The Beenders-Walker Group.

Put Our Spring Into Your Step ...

Exploring Ha Ha Tonka State Park is one of the many ways to enjoy the natural beauty of spring at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Spring is the gentlest season at the Lake of the Ozarks. The trees on the limestone bluffs are colored by the quiet green of their new buds, splashed with the pastel colors of spring - pink and white dogwoods, lavender and fuchsia redbuds and the occasional yellow spark of a forsythia. While the Lake is beautiful in all seasons, she is dressed in her finest in the spring. Hiking the trails in Lake of the Ozarks and Ha Ha Tonka state parks is the perfect way to enjoy the season. Whether the itinerary includes a leisurely stroll to the ruins of the Ha Ha Tonka castle or a multi-mile hike through shoreline hills and bluffs, hikers will enjoy the Lake's natural (and man-made) wonders. For more information, visit www.mostateparks.com.

Hit the Links ...

Osage National Golf Resort in Lake Ozark is one of the 13 courses along the award-winning Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail. The Golf Trail is a springtime favorite for golfers from around the country.

Spring makes the greens and fairways at the Lake's golf courses greener than ever. The Lake of the Ozarks has 15 beautiful courses carved into its rugged bluffs and forested hills, crafted by some of the sport's best designers, including Arnold Palmer, Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Tom Weiskopf, Floyd Farley, Ken Kavanaugh, Jack Nicklaus, Bruce Devlin and Robert Van Hagge. Thirteen of those courses make up the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail, teaming with 11 lodging partners to offer unbeatable stay-and-play packages. For more information about these championship courses, as well as money-saving packages, call 800-490-8474 or visit www.GolfattheLake.net.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry ...

Shorty Pants Lounge is just one of many Lake-area restaurants that offer dockside dining.

Outdoor dining is a specialty at the Lake of the Ozarks, too. The Lake was named by Boating Magazine as one of the top-five destinations in the country to "dock and dine" because, out of the 200-plus restaurants in the area, sixty offer dockside dining. Many more offer outdoor patios to enjoy the warm spring sunshine. Whatever type of cuisine you are looking for - American, Mexican, barbecue, seafood and more - can be found around the Lake. In addition, the area's six wineries offer delicious food and vineyard views, along with wine tastings. For more information about dining at the Lake, get a dining guide at www.FunLake.com.

Feel Festive ...

Mingle amongst royalty at the 64th Annual Dogwood Festival.

Perhaps the best way to enjoy the Lake in the spring is at one of the area's festivals. There are many to choose from so there is sure to be one that piques the interest of everyone in the family.

Start with the Lake's oldest spring tradition - Camdenton's Dogwood Festival. The Lake area's forested hills are dotted with both the pink and white varieties of Missouri's state tree, the dogwood. The 64th Annual Dogwood Festival will be held April 24-26 to celebrate their springtime beauty.

While most of the Dogwood Festival royalty - including Miss Dogwood and Little Miss and Mr. Dogwood - is crowned before the event, the crowning of the Senior King and Queen of the Dogwood Festival, for ages 65+, is one of the first events to be held on Thursday evening. The carnival area also opens that evening.

The Dogwood Festival offers fun and entertainment for the whole family.

Friday evening, the festival really gets underway with the opening of the food and craft booths, as well as a fish fry, at the Middle School and a display of the event's Shoe Box Floats at the Camden County Museum. Booths offer all the fun foods expected at a festival - corn dogs; funnel cakes; fried Oreos, Twinkies and brownies; and kettle corn, plus much more. Live entertainment begins Friday evening, or festival-goers can see a melodrama production at the Camden County Museum's dinner theater. The carnival continues that night, as well.

Saturday's activities kick off with a parade at 10 a.m. in downtown Camdenton. At 3 p.m., judges will choose the cutest and ugliest dogs in the Dog Contest. The melodrama and live entertainment return and the carnival continues until 10 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., the 5K Walk/Run into Awareness occurs at the Bob Shore Stadium. This event, sponsored by the Camden County Child Advocacy Center, raises awareness about the need for prevention of child abuse and neglect in the county.

Visit the chamber's website at: www.camdentonchamber.com/dogwood-festival.asp for a schedule of events, to register for activities or get more information about the Dogwood Festival.

Looking Ahead ...

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.

APRIL 3-5

GREAT LAKE OF THE OZARKS GOSPEL SING

The 16th Annual Great Lake of the Ozarks Gospel Sing, April 3-5, is a Lake event guaranteed to raise the roof of the Main Street Music Hall, as well as your spirits. The 2014 lineup will feature The Triumphant Quartet, Karen Peck & New River, The Mark Trammell Quartet, The Lesters, Higher Power Quartet, and the Booth Brothers. For more information, go to GreatLakeoftheOzarksGospelSing.com. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 888-285-7464 or e-mail at lakegospelsing@gmail.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 sponsored 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.

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 will likely break new records in both categories. 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.

It's time to "spring into action" at the Lake of the Ozarks. For more information, media assistance or high-resolution photography, please call The Beenders Walker Group toll-free at 800-544-8474 or e-mail Marjorie Beenders, Jo Duncan, Deb Hendricks or Kyle Stewart.