For Immediate Release             Media Contact:  Pam Jones or Marjorie Beenders
October 6, 2010                                                               Phone: 573-636-8282 « Email: pam@tbwgroup.net

What’s new at the Lake of the Ozarks this fall?  RV’ing and campfires, fall festivals and foliage tours, values galore and much more! Read all the latest news in this edition of the quarterly Lake Breaking NewsLETTER.  For more information, color images or other assistance, please contact us.

CELEBRATE A CENTURY OF THE RV … This year the recreational vehicle industry celebrated its 100th anniversary. Today’s RVs have come a long way from the earliest models--basically towable platforms with tents on top.  Luxury high-end RVs now comewith full-size appliances, large-screen TVs, satellite dishes, space-enhancing slide-outs and multiple bathrooms.  The price tag can top $500,000!  But no matter what kind of RV pulls into a Lake of the Ozarks RV park, it is sure to be welcomed.  This autumn is an especially fine time to visit, as the Ozarks hills put on their annual colorful show—and as many Lake-area RV parks honor 100 years of RV’ing with great specials.  For example, Cross Creek RV Park in Lake Ozark offers one week for just $100 throughout October (then the park will close for the season).  Owner John Peters says, “Come enjoy the cool campfire nights and beautiful fall foliage, one last time before winterizing the RV.”  Nestled on a 10-acre fishing lake, Cross Creek guests enjoy free mini golf, discountpaddle boat rentals, weekend hayrides(including haunted rides!), friendly potluck dinners and a Halloween party.  The unique“treehouse cabins” are a big attraction.  For more information visit www.crosscreekrvpark.com.   In Lake Ozark, Majestic Oaks RV Park, open year-round, also offers an October special: save 20% of any rate!  Open year round, Majestic Oaks visitors also will enjoy Saturday-night hayrides, potlucks and Halloween festivities, including site decorating and costume contests, and trick-or-treating.  “Several of our fall guests are fishermen who think this is the best time to come fishing at the Lake, and we also welcome people heading down Highway 54 on their way to warmer climates,” says owner Rhonda Barrieau.  The park’s hiking trails offer a wonderful way to enjoy its hundreds of oak trees in full-foliage beauty.  For more details, visit www.majesticoakspark.com.  Now through Oct. 31 (after which it will close for the season), award-winning Osage Beach RV Park offers a 4th night free to RVers who stay three nights and present a coupon available online at www.osagebeachrvpark.net.  “A lot of RVers like to come to the Lake this time of year for the beauty and the peacefulness, and the great values,” says Osage Beach RV Park owner Pat Jones.  For information about all the RV parks and campgrounds around the Lake area, please visit www.campingatlakeoftheozarks.com.

DRIVE-THROUGH FALL FOLIAGE … Take a leisurely drive through the gorgeous fall foliage soon to be on display at the Lake of the Ozarks! This itinerary will require about three to five hours, depending on where you stop and for how long.

*  Start at Historic Willmore Lodge on Business Highway 54 in Lake Ozark for a spectacular six-mile view of Bagnell Dam and the Lake of the Ozarks. Constructed in 1930 by the Union Electric Company (now AmerenUE), the rustic Adirondack-style lodge houses a tourist information center and a fascinating, free-admission museum that tells the story of the construction of Bagnell Dam and the Lake of the Ozarks.
*  Directly across from Willmore Lodge on Business Hwy. 54, take Upper Power Plant Road a short distance south to the AmerenUE Overlook for a sweeping panorama of the Lake and the Osage River, and a birds-eye view of Bagnell Dam.
*  Travel Business Highway 54 south over the dam to the Historic Bagnell Dam Strip. It’s a fun and friendly mile of shops, restaurants and family attractions.
*  Take Business Highway 54, turn left on Route HH and cross the Community Bridge ($2.50 toll).  You’ll be on MM; turn on Route TT south, to Route F north, to Highway 5 south, the main road through the Lake’s west side.  Continue on Highway 5 over the Hurricane Deck Bridge and the Niangua Bridge, and stop at the parking lot at the south end of the Niangua Bridge for great photo opportunities.
*  Continue south on Highway 5 and turn right onto Lake Road 5-88 to the Thunder Mountain Conservation Area in Camdenton. Climb the tower’s first 80 feet (a total of 90 steps) to a viewing area for a unique Lake panorama.
*  Return to Highway 5 south through Camdenton and turn south on Route D to Ha Ha Tonka State Park, recently named one of the best state parks in Missouri by readers of AAA Midwest Traveler.  Explore the park’s intriguing castle ruins and enjoy the breathtaking view from high atop a 250-foot bluff. The popular state park offers 12 hiking trails that let visitors explore Missouri's premier showcase of karst topography, a honeycomb of tunnels, caverns, springs and sinkholes. Stop by the Visitors Center for more information and interpretive exhibits.
*  Return to Highway 54 and travel north to Lake Road 54-85, to the Casa de Loco Winery.  This unique winery, located in the restored Urbauer Fishing Lodge Historic District, was built as a sporting retreat in 1930 by a St. Louis industrialist. It offers an awesome view from a bluff overlooking the Big Niangua River—a wonderful finale to a memorable fall foliage drive in the Lake of the Ozarks.  Visitors may also continue to explore the area’s other wineries (see below) and attractions.

CRISP FALL WEATHER AND AWARD-WINNING WINES…are a great combination this time of year! In addition of Casa de Loco, the Lake of the Ozarks area features two other wineries.  Seven Springs Winery, set in a scenic valley near Linn Creek, serves outstanding wine and creative food daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.   On a cool, bright fall day, owner Mike Bleile suggests a full-bodied Seven Springs Norton; on a warmer autumn day, sample the more light-bodied Seven Springs Muscato Sparkling.  At Grey Bear Vineyards and Winery in Stover, owner David Fansler says on a beautiful fall day, guests will enjoy sitting on the deck overlooking the vineyard, while enjoying Buckskin, a dry white wine, or Black Dahlia, Grey Bear’s cabernet sauvignon. “Our cherry and blackberry wines also are great choices for fall,” he adds. The Lake’s 40-plus waterfront restaurants also offer excellent opportunities to relax and enjoy great dining with a gorgeous view of the shimmering Lake of the Ozarks on an autumn afternoon, now well into November!

FANTASTIC FALL FISHING!  By boat or dock, fall fishing at the Lake combines beautiful scenery with a favorite past-time. Most species can be caught year-round at the Lake; the most sought-after game species are largemouth bass, spotted bass, black and white crappie, blue catfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, white bass, hybrid stripers, paddlefish, walleye and bluegill.  To go straight to where the fish are, many visiting anglers hire an experienced, licensed fishing guide.  Several professional guides operate throughout the Lake area, each with a slightly different specialty or approach.  Each offers half-day or full-day trips, and provides a safe, comfortable boat, rods and reels and the proper bait and tackle for the type of fish to be caught.  Most important, Lake-area guides offer their expertise and skill; they know what depth of water to fish in, what lures or bait are most productive, and how different fish act at different times of the year.  Stunning fall scenery and a successful fishing trip…perfection!

HERE COME THE HOLIDAYS… Before you know it, the holidays will be here and as usual the Lake of the Ozarks is planning a gala celebration.  Here’s a quick preview of some sensational seasonal events:

• Nov. 12- Dec. 18, 7 p.m. The beloved visitor favorite, Main Street Music Hall, Osage Beach, will present its annual Christmas show.  For dates and ticket information, please visit www.lakemusichall.com.

• Nov. 19-Jan. 1 - The 3rd annual mile-long Lake Holiday Light Park in the Osage Beach City Park on Highway 54 will be open evenings Wednesday through Sunday, and daily Christmas through New Years Day. The Lake Holiday Light Park is the biggest and brightest light park at the Lake.  Typically more than 10,000 people tour the popular park, featuring 80 huge animated displays, including leaping reindeer, trumpeting angels, Santa on a wave runner, dancing penguins, Rudolph and Santa fishing, Candy Cane Lane, America tributes, charming animated scenes and spectacular lighted tunnels.  $10 per car. 

• Nov. 20 – Lake Holiday Parade and Celebration, Lake Ozark – Starting at 5:30 p.m., join Santa and Ms. Claus and all the elves as this gala parade makes its way along Bagnell Dam Boulevard, ending with a bonfire, entertainment, hot chocolate and cookies and more at Bagnell Dam River Park.  Free.

• Nov. 20  - Jan. 1 – The 13th annual Enchanted Village of Lights at the Laurie Fairgrounds will offer a mile-long display of lights and animated scenes.  Open daily, free admission.

• Nov. 25 – Jan. 1 29th Annual St. Patrick's Festival of Lights, Laurie, features 4,000 strings of lights throughout the grounds of St. Patrick’s Shrine and the National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church.  Free admission.

• Nov. 27 – Jan. 1 – The Unity Circle of Lights, Versailles. Enjoy this drive-through light park honoring cooperation among communities.  Free admission.

• Nov. 27, Dec. 4 & 11 – Breakfast with Santa at The Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark.  The much-anticipated annual family event!  Reservations required.

• Dec. 4 – Christmas on the Square, Camdenton – 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. This fun family event will offer games, crafts, prizes, snacks, a petting zoo and a visit from Santa himself!  Free admission.

 
Stay tuned for more festive holiday happenings at the Lake of the Ozarks!

A HOLIDAY SHOPPERS’ PARADISE … Shoppers will find the perfect presents for everyone on their holiday lists at the Lake of the Ozarks.  A top destination is the 110-store Osage Beach Premium Outlets, the state’s largest outlet center, as well as Stone Crest Mall in Osage Beach, the Victorian-themed The Landing on Main Street in Osage Beach and the famed Historic Bagnell Dam Strip in Lake Ozark…plus big-box, antique and specialty shopping galore.  Many Lake-area lodging properties will offer special shop-and-stay packages.  Perfect for girlfriend getaways, moms and daughters, families and smart shoppers!

RETURN OF THE EAGLES – AND EAGLE DAYS… Mark your calendar now for the premier winter event at the Lake, Eagle Days 2011, Jan. 8-9. Sponsored by the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, the event will features live eagles from the World Bird Sanctuary of St. Louis at Osage National Golf Resort, as well as viewing stations at the Missouri Department of Conservation recreation area below Bagnell Dam.  At Willmore Lodge, families will enjoy food vendors, kids’ activities and viewing stations, and, if the weather cooperates, the Tom Sawyer excursion boat will offer live eagle cruises.

COME SEE US!  At Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, we love to host journalists.  Let us know when you’d like to come and we will customize an itinerary just for you and take care of all your on-site hospitality arrangements.  Just call Marjorie Beenders or Pam Jones at 800-544-8474 (marjorie@tbwgroup.net or pam@tbwgroup.net) and we’ll get to work for you!

Note to News Media:  For your convenience, you may download an electronic version of this article.  Simply go to www.funlake.com.  At the top of the home page, click on “Professional Media” to access this article and other Lake of the Ozarks news.