by Ben Grunfeld

Created on: May 29, 2008   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

The fun of Table Rock Lake is that the fun never ends. Scarcely a week goes past without the industrious and creative folk of the region carrying out some festival or another.

Boasting over 5 different fireworks displays on July 4th alone, including the infamous "Fireburst" and "Fire and Thunder Fireworks" celebrations, Table Rock Lake is home to a myriad of events ranging from bluegrass music festivals to nationally acclaimed Golf and Fishing tournaments, to your old fashioned county fair with steaming corn dogs and tractor pulls.

Although the region offers entertainment suited to almost every appetite, there is a definite country theme to most events. Sponsoring the majority of what's going on in the area, the Table Rock Lake Council of Commerce generally aims towards the tastes of the agriculturally aware and community focused individual.

Of the 90 officially listed events posted at the Table Rock Chamber of Commerce's official site (VisitTableRockLake.com), here are a few that will show aspiring country bumpkins exactly what life in the shadow of the Ozarks is really about.

1. Taking pole position in the celebration of Americana is the "Bluegrass & BBQ," held in Silver Dollar City in Branson between May 10 June 1. Especially welcome are lovers of roasted meat who enjoy being serenaded by such icons of the bluegrass music movement as 3 time Grammy Award-winning artists, the Nitty Gritty Band, IBMA Vocalist of the year Rhonda Vincent, and IBMA Entertainers of the year The Grascals. This hip knee-slapping toe- tapping hoe-down is not for the faint of heart and leaves hundreds of thousands of lucky attendants satiated in stomach and spirit every year, making it one of the largest bluegrass festivals in the world.

2. Next in line for the throne is the appropriately named Ozark Empire Fair. Held between July 25th to August 3rd in Springfield, this extravaganza of American culture promises to dazzle all with a line-up including the "Fairest of the Fair" beauty pageant, livestock auctions, and the prestigious Gold Buckle Gala, to mention only a few. Of course, there is a smorgasbord of rides, shows and exhibits that make boredom impossible for children and adults alike, the center of which is the Grandstand, which alone seats 8,000 people.

3. Carrying the frozen bronze medal is the Annual Ice Carving Contest, the last of which was held at the Titanic Museum, a mammoth half-sized replica of the original Titanic ship. With contestants given a meager 5 hours to create flawless pieces of art, spectators are treated to a rare show of genius meeting craftsmanship. The pieces that make it to the finals are nothing short of breathtaking, and enjoy much well deserved press attention across the nation.

Amazingly, these 3 events are only the tip of the iceberg. All year round, Table Rock Lake is a ceaseless hive of activity, offering residents and tourists countless opportunities to get outside and experience some of the best company and adventure that this nation has to offer.

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