The 3rd Annual Branson Holiday Promenade of Stars was the biggest and best yet and attracted over 25 thousand people along the 1.4 mile route along Hwy 76. A sunny day with temperatures in the mid-70’s made for perfect conditions to produce a television special of the event scheduled to air throughout the holidays both locally in the Branson/Springfield markets, but also nationally via RFD-TV and Retro-TV.

Branson Webcast Hosts and stars of the Hamner Barber Variety Show, Dave Hamner and Jim Barber really enjoyed being part of the parade, and pulled off a great magic illusion of being able to fit into Pam Critchfield’s tiny convertible Porsche while driving and waving to the crowd.

Jim Barber & Seville - Dave Hamner driving | Photo by Jeremy Mason McGraw

More Photos of the Parade & Behind the Scenes by Jeremy Mason McGraw

Jim Barber and Dave Hamner driving in Holiday Promenade of Stars | Photo by Greta Busch

Ventriloquist Jim Barber took his turn at the live performance stage in front of the Titanic Museum, as he sang along with his sidekick Seville to their rendition of the “12 Days of Branson.”

Jim Barber & Seville sing Twelve Days of Branson | Photo by Michael London

Music legend Andy Williams served as Grand Marshall for the Event and also rode the entire Parade route in Grand Style.

Andy Williams - Parade Grand Marshall | Photo by Craig Burnett

The live entertainment portions featured brief performances by many Branson entertainers who sang to the cheering crowd that gathered around the production stage in front of the Titanic – World’s Largest Museum Attraction.

Jim Barber & Seville sing on the Parade Stage | Photo by Craig Burnett

Andy Williams sings on Parade Stage | Photo by Craig Burnett

The television broadcast schedule of the Holiday Promenade of Stars is for Thanksgiving and Christmas day to an estimated 102 million plus households across the nation. In the Springfield/Branson area the parade special will be televised on KSFX Ozarks FOX. In Branson on The Vacation Channel it will be aired six times: Thanksgiving Day at 8 a.m., Nov. 27 at 8 p.m., Nov. 28 at 8 p.m., Nov. 29 at 8 a.m., Nov. 30 at 8 p.m., and Christmas Eve at 8 p.m. National broadcasts are on RFD-TV and Retro Television Network. RFD-TV is carried on several satellite and cable providers including over 625 independent cable operators to 42 million households and Retro Television Network is seen in 17 of the top 25 markets to more than 60 million households on nearly 100 stations in cities such as Pittsburg, Atlanta, Seattle, Orlando, St. Louis and Boston, according to Nielsen ratings.

Produced by Midwest Concerts & Events, LLC, the Holiday Promenade of Stars promises to be a highlight of Ozark Mountain Christmas for many years to come.

For more information: HolidayPromenadeOfStars.com, Midwest Concerts & Events

Related article: Hamner Barber Featured in Holiday Promenade of Stars

Related interview: Gary Bartlett | Producer of the Promenade of Stars Event

Branson’s Third Annual Holiday Promenade of Stars will roll down Branson’s Highway 76 Strip on Saturday, November 7th beginning at 10:30 a.m. BransonWebcast.com Hosts Dave Hamner and Jim Barber will be among the many Branson celebrities featured in the parade.

Entertainment legend Andy Williams is serving as Grand Marshall and singers Jimmy Osmond and Debbie Boone are serving as Hosts for the television special being made during the 1.4 mile-long parade that ushers in the Christmas season in the Live Music Show Capital of the World. The parade route begins at White Water and ends at the Grand Village Shops.

Along with Williams, Osmond and Boone, will be country music artist Neal McCoy, the Lennon Sisters & Brothers, Tony Orlando and Cathy Rigby as Peter Pan.

Also performing on the television stage are Clay Cooper, Johnny Lonestar, Penny Gilley, Jeff Brandt, the Haygoods, Todd Oliver & Irving, and Jim Barber & Seville from the Hamner Barber Variety Show. Also featured are the Knudsen Brothers, also known as SIX; Showstoppers! from the Showboat Branson Belle; the “Spirit of Christmas” dancers; and the cast of “A Dickens’ Christmas Carol” from Silver Dollar City. The Baldknobbers, Blues Brothers from “Legends in Concert,” and the Branson High School Cheerleaders are also scheduled for stage appearances.

The television broadcast schedule is for Thanksgiving and Christmas day to an estimated 102 million plus households across the nation. In the Springfield/Branson area the parade special will be televised on KSFX Ozarks FOX. In Branson on The Vacation Channel it will be aired six times: Thanksgiving Day at 8 a.m., Nov. 27 at 8 p.m., Nov. 28 at 8 p.m., Nov. 29 at 8 a.m., Nov. 30 at 8 p.m., and Christmas Eve at 8 p.m. National broadcasts are on RFD-TV and Retro Television Network. RFD-TV is carried on several satellite and cable providers including over 625 independent cable operators to 42 million households and Retro Television Network is seen in 17 of the top 25 markets to more than 60 million households on nearly 100 stations in cities such as Pittsburg, Atlanta, Seattle, Orlando, St. Louis and Boston, according to Nielsen ratings.

Produced by Midwest Concerts & Events, LLC, the Holiday Promenade of Stars promises to be a highlight of the many Ozark Mountain Christmas events planned this November and December.

For more information: HolidayPromenadeOfStars.com, Midwest Concerts & Events

Grape Stomp Host - Jim Barber

The 11th Annual Hollister Grape and Fall Festival promises to be the juiciest ever!

The fun happens this Saturday, September 26th, 2009 on Historic Downing Street in downtown Hollister, Missouri. The event originated in the early 1900s to celebrate the annual grape harvest, as local growers shipped their produce to markets via the railroads. This weekend’s version features live music and entertainment, great food, a wine-tasting garden, crafts, children’s activities, and the highlight of the festival, the Grape Stomping Contest hosted for the fourth year in a row by Branson entertainer Jim Barber from the Hamner Barber Variety Show.

Jim Barber encourages Mayor Tate at the Grape Stomp

Admission if FREE and the FOOD is GREAT!

The GRAPE STOMP begins at 2pm under the big tent! This is one of the highlights of the entire event and should not be missed. Local dignitaries act as the official judges and host Jim Barber keeps the juice flowing as the contestants stomp their way to glory and the chance to win the coveted “Ugly Monkey Award.”

Interested in Competing in the Stomp?  Download an Entry Form and Sign up TODAY! Teams are limited. Please call the Hollister Chamber at 417-334-3050 or info@hollisterchamber.net to confirm space availability before registering.

A Full Day of Fun for Everyone!

The excitement begins at 10:00 AM and doesn’t stop until 7:00 PM.  There will be lots of LIVE ENTERTAINMENT on the big stage and well as many fun CHILDRENS ACTIVITIES, CRAFT BOOTHS, a BIKE RIDE, and WINE TASTING.

Thanks to the Event Sponsors

Brought to you by the Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Hollister, and the following community partners:

Branson Ridge Winery, KRZK – Branson’s Hometown Country Station, Ozark Mountain Bank, St. John’s Health System, The Shepherd of the Hills, Ozark Technical College, KOMC – Music Memories and More, Empire District Electric, CenturyTel, A-1 Audio, All Occasions Event Rental, Connell Insurance, Family Pharmacy, Downing Street Furniture, Walgreens, Complete Mobile Home Center, Corporate Business Systems, Service Master, Akers & Arney Insurance, Metro Design and Construction, Parade of Homes, The Spirits Shop, American Family Insurance, First Community Bank, Shelter Insurance, Gerken & Associates Realtors.

And Now… The Grape Lady Music Video

Here’s something you most likely WON’T see at this event. This was created from an actual incident that happened on live TV, but don’t worry, she recovered from her fall. By the way, the Hollister grape vats have a safety handrail to avoid this type of thing.