Dixie Stampede touts itself as the most fun place to eat in the Branson, and after attending the show, I have to agree! From start to finish, the show features nonstop entertainment, including singing, dancing, trick riding, comedy and a friendly North and South rivalry that had me stampeding my feet in delight. The show I attended officially started at 6pm, but be sure to get there early for the Carriage Room show opening act which begins at 5:15pm. Dick Franco, the featured performer, had me laughing along with his jokes and amazed by his juggling expertise.
The Dixie Stampede Branson tickets include a delicious feast, which is served promptly after the introduction of the armies and cavalries. I was seated in the North section and loudly cheered on my troops and cavalry as they were introduced. While the friendly North and South rivalry got started, I enjoyed a hot bowl of Dixie’s creamy vegetable soup, along with a yummy cheddar biscuit.
While enjoying the rest of my first course, I was awed by the roman riding and fiery hoop jump the skilled riders and horses performed, as well as the “Into the West” segment of the show which paid tribute to frontiersmen and Indians and featured “Sha-Kon-O-Hey,” written by Dolly Parton, as well as an amazing aerialist who gracefully soars high above the audience. The buffalo were a highlight of this segment of the show as well, as they stood their ground in the settlers-themed arena. Skeeter, the pesky and hilarious Dixie Stampede comedian, kept the show rolling with funny jokes, shenanigans and magic tricks too. Before I knew it, the dinner bell rang and my plate was being piled high with a whole rotisserie chicken, pork loin, corn on the cob and herb-basted potato, all while more spectacular trick riding, comedy and a beautiful tribute to the South is performed. Not soon after, the competition begins between the North and the South, where horsemanship and other feats are tested. Some of the competition is also done between audience members, such as the chicken chase for little ones and horse shoes for the adults. Plus, Skeeter gets in on the rivalry as he hosts races between mini-horses and pigs. The audience was roaring with applause and stampeding thunder as they cheered on their respective side, a sure sign everyone was having a great time at the Dixie Stampede Branson.
As the show winded down, I dug into my flaky apple pastry and watched the competition heat up as the North and South were neck and neck. The very last event – Pass the Flag – includes the entire audience and during my visit, it sealed the win for the North! The show finale is a patriotic salute to America as riders and horses in luminous costumes perform to Dolly Parton’s “Color Me America.” It was the perfect way to end a night that truly was the most fun place to eat in Branson.
