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Book Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show - Branson, MO Tickets
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By Matthew Mahurin
After I walked through the enormous parking lot full of cars, trucks, and SUVs, I felt like I was stepping into the mansion of a southern plantation. There was even a southern belle in traditional costume and curls who greeted people at the door. I really didn't know what to expect about the Dixie Stampede. I've heard stories and knew it was a dinner show with some sort of competition between the North and South, but I didn't know specifics. As I walked into the pre show area, I couldn't believe how packed it was. It was like a church on Easter Sunday! After the pre show I made my way into the main arena. The arena was huge with stadium seating and a pit in the middle, which was full of some sort of dirt. It smelled like the country.
After my party was seated we met our server who was a Confederate soldier. He informed us that tonight we represented the South. Directly across from us on the other side of the arena was the North. Tonight with the help of the performers, we would be battling it out with different competitions and good clean fun. I must give props to the servers; they were all working really hard. The meal consisted of several courses and was intended to be eaten a very unique way. No forks or spoons, just your hands! I will never forget the moment the server plopped a whole rotisserie chicken down on my plate. I jumped and at first just stared at the crispy critter, I then laughed and ripped into the cute little guy. After the chicken came a potato, ham (no not a whole ham, but I wouldn't be surprised next time), and corn on the cob. You also get a biscuit, soup, drink, and for desert an apple turnover. My plate was so full of food! Although I hadn't eaten with my hands in a long time, I was kind of fun and the food was all really good. Everything was hot and delicious, a true southern feast! They even offer doggie bags for the food you can't finish. With everyone chowing down, it?s hard to cheer for the performers. This is where you can really stampede. You are encouraged to kick and stomp your feet in applause. When a lot of people do start kicking and stomping, it really sounds like a thunderous stampede.
With my fellow writer Mandy screaming, stomping and enjoying her special vegetarian meal (she got silverware!) on one side of me and customer service rep Brittany eating by the light of her cell phone on the other side of me, I watched as the competition began. Buffalos ran out in a stampede. Some of them playfully rolled around in the dirt and others ran with the Native Americans on horseback that joined them in the arena. As the show progressed I saw amazing tricks on horseback, piglet races, barrel racing, ostrich riding, wagon races, singing, and dancing as well as audience participation which included racing on a stick-horse, horseshoe tossing, and children chasing chickens. Every event is exciting and fast paced. There seems to never be a dull moment throughout the show. Though there was a competition between the North and South, the end of the show becomes very patriotic and brings us all together as Americans.
If anything, the Dixie Stampede took me back to my roots. Being from a small town and raised on a farm, I left the country and moved to the city. The Dixie Stampede was almost like going home. It is full of Southern hospitality with a friendly staff, great food, spectacular entertainment, and so much more. I recommend it for all ages. It is a true experience, and I will definitely be back.
