Christmas Holiday - The Branson Way

Christmas holidays in Branson begin the first week of November where shows will feature special holiday sets, costumes and music throughout about half of the show. Carols and hymns both old and new will be sang during the shows. There will be special effects that will surely put you in the holiday spirit.

Christmas will be perfect time to visit Branson because there will be a 17 foot talking Christmas Tree that interacts with the kids (whatever their age) and a magnificent 7 story special effects Christmas Tree with lights synchronized to music. There is also the ANNUAL ADORATION PARADE, an old-fashioned Christmas parade with bands and floats passing through the streets of historic Downtown Branson and Branson Landing. The climax of the event is the lighting of the nativity scene atop Mount Branson. The Silver Dollar City will be transformed into a holiday paradise circa.

With over 100 shows, theme parks, tons of attractions, the lakes, mountains, shopping and world-class golf, entertainment in Branson is so varied that everyone will find many things to enjoy while staying in the famous Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing or at Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel. These hotels offer different packages that you and your family can enjoy during this Christmas season. You can choose any of the following:

1. It’s a Wonderful Life Package, starting at $329 per night and running from Nov 15 thru Dec 23, you’ll experience the ultimate holiday getaway for shopping, relaxation and entertainment.
2. Santa Claus is Coming Package. Santa is packing up his sleigh and is on his way to the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing! This package includes : Deluxe, overnight accommodations for four people, Two children's gifts, Full breakfast for four, and A portrait with Santa. Rates starting from 209/night. This offer is from Nov. 23, 2009 - Dec. 31, 2009.
   
3. Polar Express Package. All aboard the Polar Express! Join the Hilton Branson Convention Center for this magical ride. This package includes : Deluxe accommodations for four, First class excursion with dining car seating on the train provided by Branson Scenic railroad, Hot cocoa and cookies along with a souvenir ceramic mug. This offer is from Nov. 06, 2009 - Dec. 19, 2009. Rates starting at 269/night.
   
   
   
   

Cooking Weekend

Cooking is an art. To be a good cook you need to be passionate of what you are doing. You need to collect ingredients, identify which works well, and blends into amazing flavors to come up with a wonderful dish. A dish whose taste, aroma and color tickles the senses of the people that would feast on it.

Are you interested to learn the art of cooking? Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel is having a Cooking School Weekend on October 16th and 17th. The cooking school weekend package includes deluxe accommodations at the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel for two people Friday and Saturday evening all for just $398.00 plus tax for both nights! During this weekend you will experience Wine Tasting and Cooking Demonstration by Chef Nathan Read, Hilton's own chef!

Upon arrival to the hotel, guests will be welcomed with sumptuous Wine Tasting Reception. A Brimstone Cheese Fondue Served with Grilled Potatoes, Baby Carrots, Zucchini, Apples, Pears and Baguette will be the Appetizers of the reception. The following morning, Chef Read will discuss the factors involved in creating a truly fabulous and unique display for your holiday party. This will be followed by a demonstration of how to create the display, and how to prepare and present the fondue for your own dinner party. Chef Read will also discuss basic elements of smoking meats. This will also include a discussion on how to pair foods with smoked meats and planning seasonal menus.

Saturday evening participants will experience a lavish four-course dinner. It will start with a Smoked Potato and Ham Soup made of berkshire ham, sweet onions, smoked russet potatoes and crispy leeks. Then, guests will be served with Fall Harvest Salad which will be composed of local mixed greens, apples and pears, dried apricots, candied walnuts, heartland creamery methuselah cheese and dried cherry vinaigrette. For the main entree guests can choose between Midwest Bison Short Ribs (cherry wood smoked short ribs, creamy cheddar jack risotto and apple bbq sauce) or Berkshire Pork Porterhouse (marinated and grilled newman farms pork, heartland creamery goat cheese grits, apricot salsa). The dessert of the night is called Apple Normandy, a Butter Dough with Fresh Granny Smith Apples, Apple Compote and Apple Glaze - Served with Fresh Whipped Cream.

For Sunday class, Chef Read will teach the class how to prepare the menu from Saturday night.

What I am really looking forward to this cooking weekend is to learn how to prepare a fondue for my own party. A fondue will be very interesting for my Filipino guests.

Branson, Missouri - Host to Ironman 70.3 Branson

Ironman 70.3 Branson will be the latest addition to the Ironman 70.3 Event Series. On September 19, 2010, the inaugural race will take place in one of America's top vacation destinations - Branson, Missouri!

Ironman 70.3 Branson will serve as one of 34 worldwide qualifying events for the 2010 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 in Clearwater, Fla. Professional athletes will be competing for a $25,000 prize purse.


Ironman 70.3 races consist of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56-mile bike and a 13.1 mile run, which adds up to 70.3 miles of total racing. During Ironman 70.3 Branson, the 1.2-mile swim will be held in the crystal clear waters of Table Rock Lake. After the swim, athletes will cover a challenging 56-mile bike course through the rolling hills of the Ozark Mountains. Athletes will then transition to a flat, spectator-friendly, two-loop 13.1 mile run course.

Are you ready to take part in the excitement of Ironman 70.3 Branson? Book your stay now at Hilton Branson Convention Center and be assured to be in the midst of all the Ironman action. By staying in Hilton Branson Convention Center you will have easy access to all the before and after events of Ironman 70.3. This hotel will also offer you pampered luxury.

Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel is also within walking distance at the Fountains of Branson Landing. It is within easy driving range to Branson’s championship golf courses, lakes, museums and entertainment theaters. Plan your trip now, book early and avail of the hotel's discounted packages.

Learn to Cook with Chef Nathan Read

It is already "ber" month, that only means that Holiday Season is around the corner. The most exciting part of the holiday season is the endless get together and parties.

Have you ever been a host to family parties during holiday season? Have you feared being selected to host a party because you do not have the cooking prowess to show off? This is your chance of a lifetime to learn cooking with no less than Chef Nathan Read, the chef of the famous Hilton Branson Convention Center. Be a guest at the hotel on the weekend of October 16th and 17th and enjoy the Hotel's Cooking School Weekend.


What to expect during the Cooking School Weekend? Upon arrival, guests will be welcomed with the sumptuous Wine Tasting Reception. The next morning Chef Nathan Read will teach the participants how to prepare the appetizers served at Wine Tasting Reception. Saturday evening, participants will be treated with a four-course dinner paired with appropriate wines and the following morning there will be a cooking demonstration on the featured meal.

The cooking school weekend package includes a De Luxe Accommodation for two people Friday and Saturday (October 16-17, 2009) for $398 plus tax for both nights. Enjoy the pampered luxury offered by Hilton and take advantage of the beauty of Branson while you are there for the Cooking School Weekend.