Branson News Guide

The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB is responding to ever-increasing gas prices by extending the Gas Buster discount program through October 31, 2006, and by offering visitors up to $50 off show and attraction tickets, lodging, meals and retail purchases when they spend just $20 on gas during their trips to town.

Ross Summers, president and CEO of the Chamber said, “Branson businesses are working together to help offset the costs of gas so visitors can afford to see and do all the things they would like to do while on vacation.”

Summers said the Chamber had originally set September 30, 2006 as the cut-off date for the summer program and $40 as the minimum requirement in gas receipts to receive the Gas Buster discount card from one of two Chamber Welcome Centers (Hwy. 65 and Mo. 248, and at Hwy. 65 and Mo. 160).

“More than 85% of Branson’s visitors drive to town and over one-third come from 300 miles or less, so these changes to the Gas Buster program will help more people, especially our regional neighbors coming for weekend trips,” Summers said.

On July 17, 2006 the American Automobile Association reported the average price of a regular gallon of gas in the Midwest was $2.85. At that price, the average 15-gallon tank would cost $42.89 to fill.

In order to receive a Gas Buster Discount Card, visitors should present a valid driver’s license and proof of gas purchases totaling a minimum of $20, incurred within 2 days of arrival, at one of the Chamber’s Welcome Centers. Gas Buster card holders will be automatically entered to win in one of 26 weekly drawings for a $100 gas card and a grand prize 4 day/3 night vacation in Branson for four, which will be awarded on October 31, 2006.

Branson entertainers Dave & Denise Hamner and Jim Barber will each be honored as recipients of the “Merlin Award” by the International Magicians Society (IMS). The prestigious awards will be presented to the stars of The Hamner Barber Variety Show in person during their August 12th, 8pm show by the World President of the IMS, Mr. Tony Hassini.

The Hamners are being honored with their second Merlin Award as “Entertainers of the Year.” In 1999 they received the coveted award for “Best Manipulation.”

Making this year’s presentation even more special, Jim Barber is receiving his Merlin Award for “Ventriloquist of the Year,” being the first entertainer ever to receive this award for ventriloquism in the society’s 38 year history.

The International Magicians Society (IMS) is the world’s largest magic society as recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. The IMS began in 1968 and now has over 37,000 members worldwide. It was created to help promote and preserve the art of magic and provide a format where magicians (and magic hobbyists) could share their secrets and ideas.

In the profession of magic, the Merlin statuette is the equivalent of the Oscar for film, the Emmy for television, and the Tony for theater. It is presented only to those entertainers who have achieved the highest level in their craft. The voting members begin with approximately one hundred names and narrow the list down to a select few. The criteria considered for a winner include talent, showmanship, originality, skills, and above all, the rare ability to entertain under any conditions.

The Merlin Award statuette was commissioned to over 100 art students from various colleges across the country. The winning design was carved and created in 1968 by New York University art student Carol Michaud.

Some of the more famous winners of the Merlin Award for excellence in magic include: Harry Blackstone, Doug Henning, Siegfried & Roy and David Copperfield.

The Hamner Barber Theater is pleased to announce that Jim Barber has been nominated as Branson’s “BEST COMEDIAN” of 2006 by BransonCritic.com, a volunteer organization of writers and researchers of Branson shows with over 2,000 reviews currently online.

In 2005 BransonCritic also honored The Hamner Barber Variety Show as it’s pick for Critic’s Choice as Branson’s “MUST SEE SHOW OF THE YEAR.”

Created by Doug Holland, the awards web site is a sophisticated method of ranking shows and entertainers by allowing fans of these shows to submit fair reviews to inform other potential Branson visitors of what there is to see and do in Branson, Missouri. It’s not a “push button” voting system, so awards are presented based on the quantity and quality of the reviews received on behalf of the nominated performers.