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Where else but Silver Dollar City?

Randall Murphree - Guest Columnist - 6/13/2008 12:30:00 PM

Randall Murphree Water-drenching rides, talking vegetables, ice skaters on stilts and fantastic illusions were among the top attractions for the John and Lennie Riley family in Branson last weekend. The Plantersville, Mississippi, couple has been taking their nine children to Branson and Silver Dollar City (SDC) for more than a decade. They were there this time with four of the kids to enjoy the kickoff weekend of SDC's 2008 Kids Fest.

"We have always loved going to Silver Dollar City," John said, "because we know we can trust them to have decent, clean entertainment. And they're run by a family business that puts Christian principles into practice in their work every day."

Kids Fest, which runs from June 7 to August 10, has brought some outstanding guest shows to SDC, an 1880s Ozark Mountains theme park just outside Branson, Missouri. One stand-out is the world debut of "The Invention of Silliness," an original VeggieTales stage show. The animated vegetables of VeggieTales have been entertaining kids for years while, at the same time, teaching moral values.

"I like to ride all the roller coasters," said Luke Riley, 13. PowderKeg and WildFire are two of the thrillers at SDC. Older sister Faith had to stay at home because of work this time, but she agrees with Luke about the roller coasters.

"WildFire goes upside down about five times," Faith said. It's a high-flying coaster that reaches speeds up to 66 miles per hour. PowderKeg goes from 0 to 53 mph in less than three seconds.

Luke, his brother Israel (11) and sisters Ruth (9) and Esther (7), had just as much fun at White Water and Celebration City, two other family parks in Branson. At Celebration City, they were among the first to ride the park's new Roaring Falls in which a huge open car with some 20 passengers finishes with a five-story splash.

"Going to White Water was my favorite thing," said Ruth, "the big slide." The big slide at White Water is Kalani Towers, a 7.5 story, six-lane, multi-level thrill slide.

Israel added, "I like everything at Silver Dollar City and White Water!"

"Families now represent 41 percent of the travelers to Branson," said Jerry Henry, SDC research director. That compares to 26 percent in 2005. Henry is proud that his company, Herschend Family Entertainment, is providing the safe atmosphere that makes Branson a family vacation destination.

Herschend properties are part of a family company founded in the 1950s by Hugo Herschend who developed Marvel Cave, another unique SDC feature, as a tourist attraction and began adding other SDC features above ground. All three of the Rileys' favorite parks are Herschend-owned.

In addition to water slides and roller coasters, the Riley clan enjoyed numerous shows in both Branson and SDC. The Kids Fest event featured world-class illusionist Peter Gossamer and an all-new Ice Circus with flying aerialists, unicycles, a juggler with flaming torches and skaters on stilts.

Herschend's sons Peter and Jack now run the business which includes some 20 entertainment properties. The corporate mission is embodied in their goal to "Create Memories Worth Repeating." That goal is developed in greater detail in a statement ending with "... all in a manner consistent with Christian values and ethics."

That's what John and Lennie Riley like about the Herschend family parks – you can trust them. John is an on-air personality and promotions manager at American Family Radio headquartered in Tupelo, Mississippi.

"If you take that atmosphere," he said, "then add special features of Kids Fest, the park's year-round crafts exhibits and demonstrations, the great restaurants, permanent shows and carnival games for kids, you won't find a better family vacation spot."