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Book Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show - Branson, MO Tickets
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By Andrew Scott
For those that like to eat with their fingers, talk with their mouths full, kick the dinner table in enthusiasm and have a fun, family-friendly time, Dixie Stampede is for you. Throughout your Dixie experience you'll be served more food than you could ever eat in one sitting (or at least more than I could ever finish), all the while being entertained by a variety show that incorporates dance, comedy, song, special effects and live competition into one outing. From the moment I passed the horse stables that line the building's walkway, Dixie Stampede was quite unlike the experience I was expecting, and all the better for it.
As previously mentioned, even from the moment I stepped out of the car (or in this particular instance the lightening-yellow Tracker), I found sights to excite. From the parking lot to the theater entrance, nearly the entire theater walkway was lined with the stables of the actual horses used in the performance. I don't know about the typical Dixie guest, but I'm not used to being near live horses (or any horse for that matter), and found what could have been a tedious trip across a parking lot to be an eye opening journey. From Andalusians to Quarter Horses, I saw them all; although I could have never distinguished between the them had it not been for the plaques that hung above each stable.
Once inside the theater I sort of wandered towards a large gathering of people. In the middle was a man performing all sorts of juggling routines. Apparently Dixie has a pre-show opening act: more bang for your buck! Although I only caught the last five minutes or so of the pre-show, what I did see was rather impressive. The last routine featured a juggler doing what he does best with three flaming juggling sticks. While the set-up was by no means elaborate, the pre-show worked well with the more intimate feel, giving off a sense of awe to every member of the crowd as they anxiously huddled around the small stage in a complete circle.
After the pre-show, the stairs leading to the main seating were made accessible to the now rather large gathering that had assembled between the opening act area and the stairway. My mentality switched to stampede-mode as I began to kick up carpet dust and storm through the masses. However, the aggressive approach was hardly needed as there was minimal hassle making it to my seat, despite the sold-out crowd. Whether this was due to the audience or the staff, I was impressed.
The show began with a master of ceremonies riding out on horse, greeting the audience, explaining that tonight's show was a competition, and laying down the ground rules: half the building represents the north, half represents the south, cheer and stomp for your side, and throw flying raspberries (when you go you'll understand) at the competition. A few variety acts of song, dance, and comedy started the action, along with the two new additions for 2006 that Dixie had been promoting: "Dreams Take Flight", a mystic dance routine that involved a man on horse and a lady hanging from the ceiling by cable sort of spinning in circles for a few minutes, and Dixie funny man Skeeter's tap-dancing routine that tipped its hat to industrial innovation. While both additions were entertaining in their own right, neither were the highlight of the evening.
In the end, it was the food and sense of competition that really made Dixie Stampede an enjoyable experience. One piece at a time, throughout the first half of the show, I was served a biscuit, creamy vegetable soup, whole chicken, pork, potato, corn on the cob and an apple turnover, along with all the iced tea I could drink (they were also serving Pepsi and coffee).
Throughout the second half of my Dixie experience various horse-riding competitions, animal races, and even a few games involving audience participation were held as the north and south battled it out. When the dust settled, the side I was representing, the south, proved victorious, and I left thoroughly filled and having taken in a rather unique experience. If you're having a problem getting your dinner and show plans to mesh during a night in Branson, then go the easy route and combine the two with an entertaining performance and great meal at Dixie Stampede.
