For Immediate Release Media Contact: Pam Jones or Marjorie Beenders
April 19, 2010 Phone: 573-636-8282 « Email: pam@tbwgroup.net
Spring Travel Tips & Story Starters
See Mother Nature’s Finery & Enjoy a Fun Festival
at Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks
NEWS MEDIA NOTE: Spring is such a glorious time at Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, as the redbuds and dogwoods bloom against the green rolling Ozarks hills that surround our shimmering Lake. Spring also kicks off a full season of festivals, and it’s a wonderful time to explore our great outdoors by land or Lake. Read on for other hot topics and tips to get you started on spring stories about the Lake of the Ozarks. For more info, color images or other assistance, please contact us.
» LET THE FESTIVALS BEGIN! Spring festivals are seriously fun at the Lake of the Ozarks. The boating season will officially start at the 12th annual Spring Harbor Hop, Saturday, May 1. This on-the-water poker run typically brings out 1,500 “hoppers” who will cruise among 40 checkpoints—Lakefront bars, restaurants and marinas--drawing cards for a winning hand. That same weekend, up to 1,000 street rods, customs, street machines and motorcycles will make their way to the historic Bagnell Dam Strip for the 22nd annual Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals—the largest street meet in Central Missouri. Complete with golden oldies music, contests, kids activities, vendors, Strip retailers and family-friendly fun, it’s truly a scene out of “American Graffiti.” The season’s first Hot Summer Nights event on the Strip will take place Friday, May 14. It’s a mini-Magic Dragon featuring souped-up cars, trucks and motorcycles, music, giveaways, food and fun for all from age 1 to 101. Hot Summer Nights will continue June 11, July 9, Aug. 13 and Sept. 10-11. On May 15-16, Oma & Noma Days will recreate the 1920s-40s, when Bagnell Dam was built, with vintage vehicles, bluegrass and blues, storytellers, Ozarks crafters, dog shows, pageants, outhouse races, frog-jumping contests and a lot more zany fun. And on June 12-13, spirits will soar at the Crossover Christian Music Festival at Lake Ozarks, featuring many of the nation’s top Christian contemporary and rock recording artists, talented rising stars and more than 10,000 spectators.
» THE LAKE OF THE OZARKS GOLF TRAIL IS SPLENDID IN SPRINGTIME. The 13 member courses of the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail have been manicured and mowed and are ready for play the 2010 golf season. There’s something for everyone along the Trail, including courses designed by Arnold Palmer, Tom Weiskopf, Fred Farley, Ken Kavanaugh and Von Hagge/Devlin...as well as friendly public country clubs and spectacular golf resorts. Beginners and long-time players are sure to find challenges and memorable golfing experiences! Plus, the Trail features a wide array of accommodations for all tastes and budgets, from cozy cabins and cottages to full-service resorts, comfortable hotels and course-side condos. Check out the convenient, money-saving Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail Packages, the best way to enjoy golf at the Lake. www.golfatthelake.net.
» READY, SET, FISH! Every angler has his or her particular preferences regarding rods, reels and bait. But one thing all fishermen can agree on is the fantastic fishing at mid-Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks. With more than 1,150 miles of shoreline and 54,000 surface acres, plus rock bluffs, mud flats, gravel bars, coves, creeks, docks and crappie beds, it’s no wonder generations of anglers are hooked on fishing at the Lake of the Ozarks. The most sought-after game species in the Lake are largemouth bass, spotted bass, black and white crappie, blue catfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, white bass, hybrid stripers, paddlefish, walleye and bluegill. In fact, the Lake of the Ozarks is home to more than 500 amateur and pro bass fishing tournaments every year.
Numerous resorts cater to fishermen with heated, covered docks, and the area’s two state parks also attract anglers year-round. If you want to just cut to the chase, call on one of the numerous independent fishing guides who operate at the Lake and know all the so-called hot spots!
» MOTHERS HAVE A DAY AND A SPECIAL PLACE at the Lake of the Ozarks. It’s the Mothers’ Shrine in Laurie, the world’s only religious shrine dedicated to Mary as Mother of the Church, honoring the mother of Jesus and all mothers worldwide. The shrine centers on a revolving, 14-foot stainless steel statue of Mary in a huge outdoor amphitheatre. She watches over the Mothers’ Wall of Life, featuring the names of more than 2,000 mothers from all around the world, engraved in gleaming black granite. In springtime, the Shrine is abloom with the splendor of more than 25,000 colorful flowers that dreate a dazzling display every year. Admission is free. For more information please visit www.mothersshrine.org.
» SPRINGTIME IS CAMPING TIME AT THE LAKE. Campers of all kinds will find exactly what they’re looking for at the Lake of the Ozarks. The area’s 13-plus privately owned campgrounds offer more than 1,700 private campground sites, from rugged, wooded sites at the water’s edge, to meticulously groomed, paved RV sites with full hook-ups and numerous amenities--including free wireless Internet access, cable TV, modern laundry facilities, club rooms with full kitchens, well-stocked stores, marinas with boat rentals, mini-golf and more. Most are pet friendly and offer easy access to the Lake-area’s popular attractions, activities and entertainment. For those not into camping, the Lake of the Ozarks offers lodging in hotels and motels, full-service and family-owned resorts, vacation rental condos and houses, bed-and-breakfasts, even houseboats. Discover the Lake’s great lodging variety—from economy to luxury--matched by our impressive variety of places to dine and attractions to enjoy.
Spring is the season of exciting travel stories at the Lake of the Ozarks! For information, please call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau toll-free at (800) FUN-LAKE or visit www.funlake.com; to see current and past press releases, click on MEDIA in the upper right corner. And to arrange a customized tour for travel media, please contact Marjorie Beenders at 1-800-544-8474.
# # #
Note to News Media: For your convenience, you may download an electronic version of this article. Simply go to www.funlake.com. At the bottom of the home page, click on “Professional Media” to access this article and other Lake of the Ozarks news.
