There's a mystery of sorts unfolding amid the hills that embrace Silver Dollar City at Branson. I've learned the world-class theme park is on the verge of announcing its "biggest guest attraction ever."
That kind of verbal embroidery should excite the interest and whet the appetites of every prospective visitor.
So far, Lisa Rau, who directs public relations for Silver Dollar City, has been coy about revealing details. I can understand the suspense factor and curiosity it generates.
Still, it's made me want to know what's going on. So I'll plan on being at the media unveiling of this anticipated event on Aug. 16.
I do know this much. The addition reportedly will provide a "colossal world footprint" never previously done anywhere. "We promise it is a game-changer for the theme park industry and by far the largest single investment ever made at this theme park," said Rau.
The attraction reportedly is designed specifically for the mountainous Ozarks and promises several first (and only) attributes.
Rau wouldn't confirm my suspicion that Silver Dollar's existing Guinness-celebrated roller coaster, Outlaw Run, has some significance here, since it also originally delivered an attraction never before offered. My powers of deduction tell me it makes sense to keep ahead of themselves by surpassing previous accomplishments, right?
First Drop Magazine publisher Justin Garvanovic, founder of the European Coaster Club, is very familiar with Outlaw Run and its impossibly steep drop and double roll.
"Silver Dollar City is a very special park, so any new ride needs to be special also," he wrote me. "It doesn't seem all that long ago they set the coaster world alight with Outlaw Run. They are about to do it again with ? It's a wonderful park that somehow manages to impress me more with every visit; 2018 cannot come quickly enough."
Whatever it is, a mega-addition to the park also is bound to interest thousands across Arkansas.
"We have laser-focus interest on your state," Rau said. "We believe we offer a great getaway for the families of Arkansas, and Northwest Arkansas in particular is the fastest growing attendance market to Silver Dollar City."
She said park management learned through focus groups how many Arkansas residents don't have a clear picture of all that's offered just over the state line. "Our challenge is to ensure we deliver the full story not only of Silver Dollar City, but the scope of Branson's live entertainment and outdoor beauty."
Soon we all will have an answer to the latest mystery at Silver Dollar City.
Bad news
I started just to forgo commenting on this story altogether because it clearly fell into the OMG! approach of tabloids. And, after all, this is a family newspaper.
Of course I must be talking about that 49-year-old man from Siloam Springs arrested and charged with bestiality, criminal trespass and cruelty to animals, allegedly involving a family's pet female donkey.
And police say it was all captured on videotape. There's a top-level "ick" rating on life's Repulsive Meter if there ever was one.
Everett Lee Compton last week was sitting in the Benton County jail being held in lieu of $5,000 bond, says a news account by Arkansas Online reporter Kally Patz and other national and international media outlets.
As are all charged with crimes, Compton will have his day in court on Sept. 11.
Take their survey
Great news for Arkansans as thrilled as I've been over the unbelievable job our state's Department of Environmental Quality (wheeze) has been doing, particularly when it comes to vigilantly safeguarding the welfare of our precious Buffalo National River.
The agency is seeking the public's opinion about its performance. My hope is you (and everyone you know) will invest a few minutes to give it the feedback it's wanting. I have.
The department should hear your honest views on how well it's protected the environment we share over the desires of political special interests.
Here's the link: tinyurl.com/adeqsurvey.
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Mike Masterson is a longtime Arkansas journalist. Email him at [email protected].
Editorial on 08/06/2017