Welk Resort Center and Champagne Theatre 1984 Missouri Highway 165 Branson Missouri 65616 417-337-SHOW 800-505-WELK 800-505-9355

Shows and Lodging:   Standard Branson Packages  Custom Branson Packages  Lodging On-Line:   Branson Hotel Reservations

The luxurious Welk Resort Center showcases the world famous Lawrence Welk Show, starring The Lennon Sisters and Jo Ann Castle. The popular morning show features The Lennon Brothers, and the Stage Door Canteen is host to the Ava Barber Country Music Show.

New for 1999

The Welk Resort Center and Champagne Theatre are pleased to announce that the Lennon Sisters have signed a new contract and will remain in Branson well into the next century.  The sisters announced that Peggy will be retiring after this season and will be replaced by another Lennon sister, Mimi.  Mimi previously performed with her sisters on the Welk TV show and the Mac Davis Show.  Presently she hosts the Lennon Brothers Show.  The theatre opening for the 1999 season, and Mimi's debut, will be April 1.  The new show for the 1999 season is entitled "A Century of American Music" a tribute to 100 years of music.

Theater: The Champagne Theatre is a re-creation of the set of the famous television show. Just like the famous set there are chiffon curtains, chandeliers and the formal bandstand. There is dancing to Welk videos in the theatre for an hour before showtime.

Seating: 2,300 solid and comfortable seats with excellent visibility. However, avoid the seats in the front row of the second tier behind the wheelchair seating.

Handicap access: Excellent. Special wheelchair seating area along the transverse aisle between tiers.

Stage Door Canteen: The Stage Door Canteen is a restaurant/nightclub serving buffet at lunch and dinner. Wine list, including champagne.

Show: A re-creation of the famous television show, many of the original cast members and musicians of The Lawrence Welk Show are on hand for the trip down memory lane. Most shows include The Lennon Sisters, Jo Ann Castle, and Joe Feeney.  Other veterans of the show make appearances throughout the season.

Welk Show
Welk Champagne Theatre
In the 2,300 seat Champagne Theatre enjoy a recreation of The Lawrence Welk Show, one of America's greatest musical variety shows.  A lavish fulfilled extravaganza with Welk Musical Family guest stars, and the incomparable 20 piece Lawrence Welk Orchestra playing favorite waltzes, polkas, and Big Band and Broadway tunes.  Wunnerful, Wunnerful!

Ava Barber
Welk Stage Door Canteen
Ava Barber performs in the Stage Door Canteen at the Welk Resort.  The Canteen is decorated in World War II memorabilia.  Ava takes her fans on a musical journey in an atmosphere like nothing else in Branson.

Morning Show: The Lennon Brothers (same family) produce a lively, warm re-creation of the old Canteen hits. An all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet is served and plenty of coffee refills. After breakfast, guests take seats in the Champagne Theatre for the show.   Show starts at 9:30, breakfast actually starts at 8:00. Get there in plenty of time to enjoy a leisurely breakfast and not be rushed.

BransonFest '99

BransonFest is in its seventh year, a kick-off celebration for the Branson season. BransonFest features exhibits, special shows, autograph sessions, art and culture and more, more, more.

Outdoor activities will abound again this year with exhibit from theatres, businesses and restaurants. Don't miss the food tent!. New this year is the Kid's Tent featuring fun for all ages, but emphasizing the great things Branson offers for children. Face painting, interactive games, art projects and a plethora of additional activities will make BransonFest '99 great fun for the younger set.

Branson Fest '99 kicks off Wednesday, March 24th at 9 a.m. with a tribute to our nation's heroes. Festival goers then have five days to enjoy indoor concerts, outdoor activities and more entertainment.

Concerts in the theatre will be held at 2 p.m. daily. Admission to the festival is FREE and tickets can be purchased for the daily concerts in the Welk Champagne Theatre.

Here are complete concert and special event activities schedules (although there are always some wonderful surprises on a daily basis). Concert lineups will have additional entertainers added.

ALL ACTIVITIES EXCEPT GOLF TAKE PLACE AT THE WELK RESORT

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24

• 9 a.m.   Tribute to our nation's veterans. Opening ceremonies conducted by the College of the Ozarks marching band. Local veteran William John Schoppman will hold a book signing for his book, "Shot Down, An American Aviator's True Story"
• 2 p.m. Branson Jam Concert featuring: Baldknobbers Jamboree, Breakfast with the Classics, Greg and Brooke Anderson (Grand Palace), Frederick (Waltzing Waters), Doug Gabriel (Starlite Theatre), Philip Wellford (Celebrity Theatre), Red, Hot & Blue (Lowe's), The Bowery Boys (The Bowery)

• Million Dollar Hole in One tournament begins on area golf courses
• 12 p.m. - Judging of competition for "hottest accordionist of the millennium" in Stage Door Canteen
• 12 p.m. - Celebrity judges award prizes for "It's A Piece of Cake" cake baking contest
• 2 p.m. - Branson Jam concert in Champagne Theatre featuring: Barbara Fairchild (Braschler Theatre), Buck Trent (Dinner Bell Restaurant & Theatre), Country Tonite, Dixie Wranglers (Dixie Stampede) Jim Owen (Mickey Gilley Theatre), Lowe Sisters (BransonTown USA), Mickey Gilley, Mike Radford (IMAX Remember When Theatre), The Duttons (Braschler Theatre)

• 9 a.m. Storytelling in Kid's Tent
• 1 p.m. Storytelling in Kid's Tent
• 11 am - 4 p.m. Taste of Branson Chef Exhibition inside Food Tent
• Golf Tournament qualifications continue
• 2 p.m. - BransonJam concert featuring: Branson City All Star Revue, Brent Aitchison (Celebrity Theatre), Dino Kartsonakis, Hughes Brothers, Jimmie Rodgers (Remember When Theatre), Lost in the 50's (Starlite Theatre), Ronnie Prophet (Shepherd of the Hills), Sunny (Wild West Show), The Platters (Celebrity Theatre)
• Golf Tournament qualifications continue

• 9 a.m. Storytelling inside Kid's Tent
• 11am - 1 p.m. Ronald McDonald visits Kids Tent
• 1 p.m. Extreme Science in Kids Tent
• 3-6 p.m. D.A.R.E. Fingerprinting inside Kids Tent
• Golf Tournament qualifications continue
• 2 p.m. - Branson Jam concert featuring: 50's At The Hop, American Kids (Starlite Theatre), Jim Stafford, Kirby VanBurch, Presley's Country Jubilee, Lennon Brothers and Gail, The Lawrence Welk Show with The Lennon Sisters, Jo Ann Castle, Ken Delo, Jack Imel, Ava Barber, The Lennon Daughters and the Cathcart Brothers.

• 9:45 a.m. Sunday Worship inside the Entertainment Tent
• 10 a.m. Million Dollar Shoot Out at Pointe Royale Golf Course
• 1 p.m. Extreme Science in Kids Tent
• 2 p.m. Gospel Concert featuring: Host, Bill Brooks, Branson Mass Choir, Barbara Fairchild, Doug Gabriel, Frederick, Jennifer Wilson, Larry Wilhite, Randy Brooks, Ronnie & Glory-Anne Prophet, Sunny Peterson, The Blackwood Singers, The Lowe Sisters.

Location: From W SR 76, take 165 south.

General: Open mid-March thru December.

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