Silver Dollar City's Southern Gospel Picnic to Present Soul-Stirring Music and Home Cooking

"Southern Gospel fans will find all the favorite groups, from legendary performers and Dove award winners to contemporary artists and family bands," said festival coordinator D.A. Callaway. "For guests new to the genre, there's plenty to sample - and everyone enjoys impeccable harmonies and uplifting songs." The variety of styles adds depth to the lineup of 60 groups featured during the festival, he said.

New to Southern Gospel Picnic this year is Guy Penrod, a well-known figure in Southern Gospel music and Inspirational Country Music Awards Entertainer of the Year nominee, whose credits range from singing backup for Kenny Chesney and Shania Twain to more than a decade performing with the Gaither Vocal Band. Now a solo artist, Penrod is the host of the show Gospel Music Showcase on the Daystar network.

Additional featured performers include Dove Award winners and Grammy nominees Jeff & Sheri Easter, The Isaacs, Brian Free & Assurance and Karen Peck and New River. Featured Singing News Fan Award stars include The Booth Brothers, The Hoppers, Legacy Five, Greater Vision and the Triumphant Quartet, 4-time Singing News Male Quartet of the Year. Fan favorites include The Perrys, The Martins and the Reggie Saddler Family. Daytime performances on stages throughout the park are followed by Southern Gospel Nights concerts each evening in the park's 4,000-seat amphitheater.

Special Sunday worship services are presented with the Hosea Bilyeu Family on August 25, and with pastor and noted humorist Dennis Swanberg on September 1.

Guests can savor more than the music -- the House of Chicken and Fixin's on the Square features double-battered fried chicken, apple butter-glazed chicken, orange-glazed chicken and smoked barbecue chicken, with favorite "fixin's" from potato salad and coleslaw to fresh-baked blackberry cobbler.

Southern Gospel Picnic guests can also soar on Silver Dollar City's new ground-breaking wood coaster Outlaw Run. Outlaw Run features the world's first and only double barrel roll on a wood coaster, with a 720-degree (double) barrel roll. It is the only wood coaster to twist upside down with a record-breaking three inversions; the world's steepest wood coaster with a first drop of 162 feet (more than 16 stories) at 81 degrees - nearly vertical; and the second fastest wood coaster in the world, reaching a top speed of 68 miles per hour. Outlaw Run and the park's 30 additional rides and attractions are open daily.

Throughout the festival, the park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. August 23 - September 2 (August 24, 9:30 to 6 p.m., and August 31 & Sept. 1, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.). Information: 800-831-4FUN

Featured Aboard the Showboat Branson Belle: Southern Gospel Cruises

Southern Gospel fans can cruise with their favorite artists aboard the Showboat Branson Belle, as Southern Gospel Cruises return, August 25 - September 1. These special noon cruises include inspirational songs by the ship's Made in the USA performers, followed by Southern Gospel artists including: The Talleys on August 25; the Crist Family on August 26; Down East Boys on August 27; Blackwood Brothers Quartet on August 28, winners of eight Grammys and five Dove awards; Primitive Quartet on August 29; Palmetto State Quartet on August 30; Gold City on August 31 with 60 Singing News Fan Awards over a 30-year career; and the LeFevre Quartet on September 1.

Each cruise features a three-course meal from the Showboat's Chef Larry, including slow-simmered beef roast and honey-Dijon glazed chicken topped off with the chef's own Golden Brittle Lemon-Berry Torte. All meals are prepared onboard in the ship's galley and served in the three-story atrium dining theater. Specialty dining options include the Paddle Wheel Club Room and Captain's Row.

The Showboat Branson Belle cruises Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri through December 31. Information: 800-775-BOAT(2628)

Guy Penrod