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- Branson, Missouri - Kirby VanBurch, Prince of Magic
Brochure Highlights: "World's Largest Magic Show." Routines include the "Secret of the Pharaohs," "Elastic Lady," "Unbelievable Appearing Helicopter" "Levitation on Water," and Special Guest Star Jim Barber and Chico (a ventriloquist dummy).
The brochure warns: "Due to circumstances beyond our control, illusions pictured may vary from those performed."
[Roadsideamerica.com Team, 08/21/2000]Kirby VanBurch, Prince of Magic Show:- Directions:
- US Hwy 65 exit onto Hwy 248, then drive northwest for around three miles. On the left, just past Eagle Rock Rd.
- Status:
- Closed
At the Waltzing Waters synchronized fountain and light show, the late Amazing Frederick played two pianos at once.
Roadsideamerica.com Report...
- Hours:
- 2006 - Frederick died.
- Status:
- Gone
The family-values history of singing film cowboy (and self-promoting pioneer) Roy Rogers. And Dale Evans. And their stuffed horses and dog.
Roadsideamerica.com Report...
- Hours:
- Dec 12, 2009: Closed. Everything auctioned.
- Status:
- Gone
Happy trails to Roy Rogers: To stuff or not to stuff?
Roy Rogers, America's greatest singing cowboy with his own museum, died of congestive heart failure on July 6, 1998. He was 86.
At the Roy Rogers Museum in Victorville, floral tributes from grieving fans filled the lobby only hours after Roy's demise became known. The 30,000-square-foot facility displays Roy's bowling trophies, his Shriner fezzes, and the mounted ( not stuffed -- most newspaper accounts are getting it wrong) carcasses of Trigger, Bullet, Buttermilk, and Trigger Jr. -- Roy's horse, Roy's dog, Roy's wife's horse, and Roy's horse's horse, respectively.
Roy, who lived just up the road, would visit the museum frequently to mingle with his fans and dead pets -- as he did during a brief Roadside Hypertour touchdown in 1994.
Roy played a singing cowboy in dozens of grade-B westerns. His backup singers -- also singing cowboys -- who now have their own theater in Branson, MO, canceled their July 6 performance in Roy's memory. In a press statement, they hailed Roy as "a great hero." Roy's fame and brand had a second life on America's highways as the name of a popular fast food chain, where one could get a good roast beef sandwich.
A persistent legend, never confirmed, was that Roy and Dale (his wife) planned to have their bodies preserved after death (mounted, not stuffed), placed astride their respective steeds, and exhibited in the museum. While this story sounds too good to be true, Roadsiders in the Victorville vicinity might consider stopping by the museum over the next few months, just to take a peek.
[07/11/1998]Search For The Historic Baldknobber
The Baldknobbers, the original family music group in Branson, MO, (now known as the Las Vegas of the Bible Belt and a top U.S. travel destination), is asking fans to search their homes for Baldknobber memorabilia to be placed in an exhibit that will celebrate their four decades of showmanship in Branson.
Over the years the Baldknobbers Jamboree music show has remained true to its traditions and in many ways embodies the rich, earthy culture of southern Missouri. It's expected that Baldknobber artifacts will be easy to find even in the dustiest attic or most dimly lit basement, as it's doubtful that anyone would otherwise possess a guitar made from a toilet seat, a polka-dot necktie six feet long, oversized buck teeth and safety pins, an entire tuxedo made of flannel scraps, a tambourine strapped to a pogo stick with a cymbal and bicycle horn on top, multicolored sequined overalls, belt buckles that light up and spin, or a pair of pants the size of a bus.
[03/15/1998]- Address:
- 2835 W. 76 Country Blvd, Branson, MO
- Directions:
- US Hwy 65 exit onto Hwy 76/W. Country Blvd. Drive west around 2.5 miles. Theater will be on the right.
- Hours:
- Shows nightly at 8 pm. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 417-334-4528
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