Ever the consummate marketers, the Silver Dollar City team is offering new nighttime hours to attract customers with a unique experience.
For Moonlight Madness through Aug. 9, the park will be open 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m. General Manager Brad Thomas said guests may "see the stars between their toes on the Giant Swing," or see the moon upside-down on WildFire.
Those who arrive after 5 p.m. pay $20. Most offerings will be available, including select shops and restaurants featuring supper specials. Veggie Tales has a nightly performance, and Great American Country Nights plays in Echo Hollow.
Thomas said another reason for Moonlight Madness is that Springfield schools are starting Aug. 25, later than in the past. That could add 10,000 visitors to the park's tally, he said.
Last year, SDC closed its evening attraction Celebration City, which opened at 3 p.m., because it fell short of financial goals, officials said at the time.
"The park has had about 900,000 visitors so far this year, down about 4 percent from the same period last year," said spokeswoman Lisa Rau. Weather has had a more negative impact than other factors, Thomas said.
Other specials include Summer Ride Days, Aug. 17-20, with rides, some shops and eateries open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Also, White Water will offer Night Water 4-10 p.m. on Aug. 17, 19 and 21.
In the fall, the Southern Gospel Picnic is scheduled Aug. 27-Sept. 7; National Harvest Festival is Sept. 12-Oct. 31; and An Old Time Christmas runs Nov. 7-Dec. 30. Herschend Family Entertainment closed another Branson property, Celebration City, last year, and Rau said the company continues to look at options for the site.
Taney County manufacturer promotions
National Enzyme Co., which moved in 1979 to near Forsyth from Illinois, has served the enzyme supplement industry since 1932. The company employs 120 people in manufacturing, blending and encapsulating enzyme supplement products for contracted customers. BioCore Kids, for example, is a chewable vegetarian tablet containing enzymes to help digestion of proteins, fats and carbohydrates including dairy products.
In April, the company opened a 10,000-square-foot facility on East State Highway 76, across from The River church.
Administration is in offices on State Highway 160 in Forsyth.
Recent promotions within the company include Harold Fox to director of sales; Kevin Hampton to director of manufacturing; and Robin Collier to vice president of internal affairs.
Culver's supports local school
Betty King and Rochelle Henry, owners of Culver's Restaurant in Branson, recently donated $1,000 to the Early Childhood Special Education program at the Branson School District.
Culver's has more than 400 independently owned restaurants in 17 states. On this spring's national Day of Giving fundraiser, area franchises contributed more than $210,000 to local charitable organizations. Of the 400 restaurants, 386 participated in the effort, Culver's spokeswoman Ashlee Yingling said.
Popular pets help Hamptons
Hampton Inn Branson at 3695 W. State Highway 76 has a new marketing tool. Guests who book the Hampton Webkinz Package at www.hamptoninn.com through Aug. 30 can take home a Webkinz stuffed animal.
Webkinz are huge with children ages 6 through tweens. Using the pet's "secret code," kids log onto www.webkinz.com to access their virtual pet in a Webkinz world where they care for it, play games with it and interact with other kids.
The site has an area for parents with information such as "Managing Your Children's Time in Webkinz World." One tip: "Set a timer, if need be."
Hampton Inn Branson Manager Debbie Kitchen said parents who come into the hotel say they're thrilled with the deal.[[In-content Ad]]Kathryn Buckstaff is membership public relations manager of Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.
