Stampede!

New Year's Eve was interesting this year. My in-laws traded their Las Vegas timeshare with one in Branson, so we spent the week between Christmas and New Year's there with them in the condo. It was nice to visit with relatives, but the overall feel and pace of Branson is just not "us", if you know what I mean. Let's just say that Eureka Springs and Branson are just about as opposite as two towns can get.

How about a little comparison:
Traffic - Eureka Springs: zero. Branson: tons, all the time.
Tourists - Eureka Springs: mostly artsy types who appreciate history and old architecture. Branson: retirees who like to golf and appreciate cheesy entertainment.
Prices - Eureka Springs: very reasonable. Branson: very overpriced.
Overall Feeling - Eureka Springs: relaxing, stress free, and friendly. Branson: hurried, stressful, and people treated somewhat like cattle.

Anyway, we held out pretty well until the final night of our visit, New Year's Eve at the Dixie Stampede. The night started off with a bang when my husband refused to be in the "required" family photos taken before entering the arena. His mother even said, "Thanks for ruining my evening." The pre-show was very entertaining and probably our favorite part. The guy was a world class juggler who could balance huge things like chairs and ladders on his chin. Then we were "herded" into the horse arena, which is set up like a stadium with rows in front of the seats so the wait staff can run by and serve your food. The riding was very good, and I wish there had been more of it. The trick riding only lasted a couple of minutes. The horses were beautiful, dressed in english saddles and still decorated for Christmas.

The food was very tasty, but it was unnerving when we were eating chicken and they started doing chicken races down below. Then they passed out pork loin, and what was next in the show? You guessed it - the baby pig races!! That part really bothered me, but I don't think many of the other guests were even aware that we were eating and being entertained by the same animal simultaneously.

Anyway, we ended our trip feeling very "overdosed" by Branson. I don't think we will go back for a very long time.