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Book Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show - Branson, MO Tickets
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By Mandy Phillips
I won't lie, I'm proud to admit that I'm truly a fan of Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede. Any place that serves me an enormous, delicious feast while letting me cheer, jeer, and stomp my feet loudly for the hilarious audience competitions and performances from talented horseback riders in the center arena floor is a place I want to be.
Seating at the Dixie Stampede is of great importance as the show is based on a competition to "forever settle the dispute between the North and South." Those sitting on one side represent the North, while those sitting on the other side represent the South. Guests are encourage to hoot, holler, stamp their feet, and make a ruckus for their side, while jeering, booing, and hissing the other side is heralded. (Of course, as my fellow Southerners will attest, those truly from the South would NEVER be caught cheering on the North).
After we were seated, the energetic wait staff - dressed in Union blue and Confederate gray - offered an unlimited supply of iced tea, Pepsi, and coffee just before the show begins. As the narration began with a description of America's earliest days, a stampede of buffalo thundered into the arena before actors on horseback galloped in wearing Native American attire as they rounded up the buffalo. The next scene portrayed a wagon train of settlers headed West as the narration continued. Finally, as the historical account neared the mid-1800s, blue and gray drew their swords in a horseback face-off against one another represented the outbreak of the War Between the States. Thundering horses with Union and Confederate riders entered the arena as the music began, and Dixie Stampede had officially begun.
After the impressive opening sequence, things change up a bit as the cast launched into a variety of performances. Some musical numbers featured stately Southern gentleman and gracious Southern belles as they sang and danced in front of a spectacular plantation mansion, while others showcased remarkable displays of horsemanship with several trick riders. By midway through the show, though, the focus was on the heated competition between North and South. The professional cast competes on behalf of the audience with events like Ostrich Racing, horseback relays, and adorable pig races, while select audience members are chosen to compete in a stick horse race, chicken chase (for the kids!), and other events.
The newest addition to the Dixie Stampede, aptly titled "Dreams Take Flight," featured two performers - a gentleman on horseback, and a lady suspended in air by a cord from the top rafters of the arena. As a dramatic love melody plays, the two "danced" and interact in a way you'll simply have to see to believe. The performance obviously took countless hours of practice and perfecting the timing down to the second to work out as gracefully as it did.
I must admit, though, that I probably missed a little bit of the show as I focused on the delicious feast that was being served throughout the performances. First of all, an incredible buttery biscuit was served to get mouths watering. After that, a creamy vegetable soup was brought out, and was quickly followed by an herb-based baked potato and corn on the cob so fresh that I'd believe anyone who told me it was grown out back and harvested that same day. And while my meat-eating counterparts dined on a whole rotisserie chicken and tender pork loin, I opted for the vegetarian meal. The veggie meal featured an enormous plate of steamed vegetables that included broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, and more, as well as a fresh, whole orange. The vegetarian plate was served with a buttery sauce, and was so large I couldn't even come close to finishing it. (Plus, I knew I'd want to save plenty of room for the warm, delicious apple turnover that was served for dessert!).
By the time I had stuffed myself beyond the point of misery (though I was still pretty content to be miserable!), it was almost time for the final competition that would decide the winner of the competition. My wonderful Southern side was winning the overall competition by one point thanks to a crunch-time performance in the "Toilet Seat Horseshoes" competition by an audience member named Greg, but the final event was worth six points. The first side of the arena to pass a flag down the rows to every member of the audience would take home the glory. Naturally, the South took the competition, but it was close - and I'll admit that my voice was a little bit hoarse from cheering throughout the competition!
As we all know, though, a house divided against itself cannot stand, so the final few moments of the show featured a uniting patriotic performance. As the show's namesake, Dolly Parton, delivered an on-screen message and song, the cast went out in grand, horseback style with the Red, White, and Blue flying high.
