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Grape Stomp at Hollister Grape and Fall Festival

September 24th, 2009 by Press Release

The 11th Annual Hollister Grape and Fall Festival, presented by the Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Hollister, will be held on Saturday, September 26th from 10 am to 6 pm on Downing Street in Historic Downtown Hollister.

The Grape and Fall Festival features great food, crafts, children’s activities, live music and entertainment from some of Branson’s best performers, a wine tasting garden, and the signature event—the world famous Grape Stomp competition sponsored by Branson Ridge Winery, where teams compete for the honor of winning the Ugly Monkey Trophy. The annual event is one of the most popular in the region, and attendance has exceeded 5,000 people in previous years. This year promises to be the most exciting and well-attended Grape and Fall Festival ever.

The Grape Stomp competition is one of the most anticipated events of the year in Hollister. Stomping teams wear costumes and choreograph their two-minute routine, while toga-clad local elected officials, like Taney County Presiding Commissioner Chuck Pennell and Hollister Mayor David Tate judge their efforts. This year, five teams will be competing for the honor. Our local dignitaries are above reproach, but during the Grape Stomp competition, the teams are encouraged to win the judge’s favor with baked goods, pies, and other treats.

The Grape and Fall Festival is a celebration of Hollister’s 100 year history. In the early days, Hollister was an important stop on the railroad, and autumn was the time of year when people brought agricultural products and other goods to Hollister for transportation to larger markets. 2010 is Hollister’s Centennial, and there are plenty of events being planned to usher in this important milestone in Hollister’s History.

Schedule of Events

8:00 am Bike Ride
Registration for the bike ride begins at 7:30 am, and the riders will leave from Chad A. Fuqua Memorial Park in Downtown Hollister at 8:00. This 12 mile fun-ride will go through Hollister to Branson Creek and back.

10:00 am – 6:00 pm Festival
Food, crafts, and live music from some of the area’s best groups on Historic Downing Street in Downtown Hollister. Kids activities and fun for everyone.

2:00 pm Grape Stomp Competition
Teams compete for the Ugly Monkey Trophy by winning the judges’ favor in this hilarious and entertaining event. Contestants are up to their knees in grapes.

For more information on the Hollister Grape & Fall Festival call 417.334.3050 or contact the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services and sellers of Branson show and attraction tickets and lodging. BTC can be reached by calling 800- 785-1550 or through its website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Posted in Branson Entertainment, Featured Articles, Hollister, Press Release |

36th Annual Autumn Daze Arts and Crafts Festival in Historic Downtown Branson

September 17th, 2009 by Press Release

The streets of Historic Downtown Branson will be filled with crafters, artists, and food vendors September 17-20 for the 36th Annual Autumn Daze Arts and Crafts Festival.

Applicants are screened by a committee to ensure that products are hand-made and exhibited by the person who made them and to guarantee a wide array of original arts and crafts. Unique crafts and gifts range from pottery, quilts, paintings, jewelry, wood carvings, ironwork, toys, and candles to organic lotions, bath products, and floral arrangements. In many cases, the crafters will be on hand to demonstrate their work and techniques.

Food vendors on site will offer carnival style snacks. There are also family-style restaurants and ethnic food choices in downtown serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Craft booths will be under tents at the Awbery Parking Lot on the corner of Commercial and Atlantic Street, as well as down Commercial Street. The show is open from 9 am to 6 pm Thursday through Saturday and 9 am to 4 pm Sunday. Admission is free. In addition, live entertainment is also planned from rock to country to gospel, and the Taney County Animal Shelter will offer adoptable pets September 19 from 9 am to 2 pm. The downtown merchants will be offering sidewalk sales.

For More Information: 417-334-1548

Posted in Branson Entertainment, Branson Outdoors, Featured Articles, Hollister, Press Release, Veterans/Active Duty Military |

The Hollister Police Department Cracks Down on Impaired Drivers

July 8th, 2009 by Branson.Com News Editor

You Drink & Drive. You Lose.

The Hollister Police Department recently focused extra enforcement efforts on impaired driving laws July 3-5.
During the effort, law enforcement officers issued a total of 21 citations that includes 3 speeding tickets, 1 driving while intoxicated, 5 safety belt and 1 child restraint violation.

“Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is never worth the risk of a tragedy. “We’re working to keep our roads safer” said Chief Preston Schmidt. Driving while intoxicated remains one of the top causes of fatal motor vehicle crashes in Missouri. In 2007, 243 people in Missouri were killed in more than 7,780 alcohol-related crashes. Enforcement efforts like this one help to take impaired drivers off the road and make travel in Missouri safer.

For more information on impaired driving, visit www.saveMOlives.com

Posted in Hollister, Press Release |

Hollister continues 56 year tradition of 4th of July Fireworks

June 10th, 2009 by Press Release

On July 4th, 2009 area residents, visiting families, and Branson area tourists will witness the oldest fireworks display in Taney County. The City of Hollister celebrates its 56th year of spectacular firework shows. This 4th of July Show has become an annual tradition, with many families and visitors to the City of Hollister and the Tri-Lakes Area.
Pyrotechnic Don Klein, the Hollister Parks Department and Western Taney County Fire Protection District personnel have completed training in safety and show technique for executing a spectacular hand lit fireworks show.

A special aerial salute will pay tribute to Pyrotechnic Chad A Fuqua who was killed in August 2008. 3-D glasses to enhance the bright sky experience will be available, for a nominal contribution to the Fireworks Fund, at Town Hall or from a boot passer the night of July 4th.

Patriotic music will be played during the Fireworks Show on KRZK.

Bring yourfamily, friends, portable radios, lawn chairs, blankets & non-alcoholic drinks and snacks and enjoy the show..

The City of Hollister fireworks are funded entirely by donations from residents and business in the Hollister, Branson, and Tri-Lakes Area. This year will be no exception, your continued support is critical. Please make a contribution by mailing a check to:

Hollister Fireworks Fund
City of Hollister
PO Box 638
Hollister, MO 65673
Call 417- 337- 8315

Posted in Branson Entertainment, Hollister, Press Release |

Hollister has special week end planned

April 30th, 2009 by Branson.com News Staff

The City of Hollister will celebrate Founders Day on Saturday, May 2, 2009 beginning at 10:00 am. History, music, food and games will fill the afternoon for the very young, mom and dad and grandma and grandpa, too! Pie eating contest, fence white washing and bubble gum blowing will keep the kids entertained in the Chad A Fuqua Memorial Park. The adults will enjoy the history depicted through photos, artifacts and oral histories by local residents displayed in the refurbished Train Depot and at Hollister Town Hall.

The Chad A. Fuqua Memorial Poker Run will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2009 with registration at 12:00 noon. Bikes out will be at 1:00 pm. Proceeds from the ride will be donated to the Chad A. Fuqua Memorial Park Fund. Plans call for the addition of a cover over the existing entertainment stage in the CAF Park.

The Downing Street Boys will perform their second in a series of “After Glow” Concerts beginning at 8:00 pm in the Chad A Fuqua Memorial Park Sunday, May 3 at 8:00 p.m. Concert goers are urged to bring their lawn chairs and blankets for old-time singing under the stars.

Posted in Hollister, Press Release |

“Downing Street Boys” presenting free concerts in Hollister’s Fuqua Memorial Park

March 26th, 2009 by Branson.com News Staff

For most visitors, “Branson” is a fun and entertainment experience that has nothing to do with the geographic boundaries of any one city. In that context, Hollister’s recent announcement of free concerts by the “Downing Street Boys” adds yet another quality and uplifting activity that visitors to Branson, and locals alike, can participate in.

Following on the heels of an overwhelmingly successful concert attended by an estimated 600 people in Oct. 2008, the “Downing Street Boy’s,” referred to locally as “Hollister’s own Southern gospel style quartet” are going to present similar concerts the first Sunday of every month. Information contained in the city of Hollister’s press release states the concerts will present an evening of old-time gospel songs and hymns at 8:00 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month beginning April 5, 2009.

It goes on to say the concerts, entitled “After Glow,” are scheduled for 8:00 p.m. on Sunday evening to allow attendance by those who attend Sunday evening church services. The “After Glow” concerts will be held in the “Chad A. Fuqua Memorial Park,” located immediately adjacent to Hollister’s City Hall, are free and will run every first Sunday of the month up to and including October 4, the first Sunday in October. The park has no formal seating area in front of the stage so those attending are advised to bring their own chairs, blankets, etc. to sit on.

According to information posted on the 1Branson.Com Forum, the “Downing Street Boys,” composed of Trey Wilson, Mark McCauley, Ronnie Page, Jerry Trammell filling in for David Ponder and Lucas Case on piano, performed a concert at the Friendly Baptist Church on March 8. An internet search of each of the group’s members reveals that each has an extensive professional musical background and two of them, McCauley and Ponder, are currently performing in Branson shows.

The commenter said, “The crowd was treated to an evening of marvelous southern gospel music.” In an earlier statement, on the same forum, McCauley, said that one of the things he liked about singing in the “After Glow” concerts was that “It was great to present the gospel in song with the old songs that aren’t available any more at most gospel concerts.”

Parking is available along Downing Street in historic downtown Hollister off of Business Highway 65 and in the parking lots around Hollister City Hall and the Community Center. Food service for the concerts will be provided by Famous Dave’s Barbeque.

Posted in Branson News, Featured Articles, Hollister |

2009 Events - City of Hollister

March 20th, 2009 by Branson.com News Staff

The following schedule of events for 2009 was submitted by the city of Hollister on March 19:

Easter Egg Hunt (24 years) Saturday HACC April 11, 2009

Founders Day Celebration (6 years) Saturday May 2, 2009

56th 4th of July Celebration (56 years) Saturday July 04, 2009

Grape & Fall Festival (11 years) Saturday HACC September 26, 2009

Hollister Halloween Walk (6 years) Friday October 30, 2009

Hollister Holidays (9 years) Thursday November 26, 2009

Bell Ringing (Challenge) (5 years) Saturday December TBA

Hollister Santa Train (17 years) Saturday/Sunday December 12 /13 (tentative)

Chad A Fuqua Memorial Park Events TBA

Volunteerism is the willingness of people to work on behalf of others without the expectation of pay or other tangible gain. …

For addtional information contact:
City of Hollister
Vonnie Mathiesen
Assistant City Administrator
Telephone: 417-337-8315

Posted in Hollister |