Branson, MO, USA (March 28, 2016) — It’s the final bow for one of the nation’s most iconic international festivals as Silver Dollar City’s World-Fest begins its grand finale season. For more than two decades, World-Fest has brought thousands of performers from around the world to the theme park in the heart of America’s heartland, and in its final run, April 7 – May 1, the festival will feature over-the-top shows, new entertainment and all-time guest-favorite groups. A special opening event with all performers is set for park opening on Saturday, April 9.
Big shows include the new show Slàsk, a 35-member music and dance troupe from Eastern Europe, presenting an explosion of color, music and high-leaping dances in a feast of European folk traditions. Last year’s high-voltage hit Cirque Zuma Zuma, a heart-pounding-intense African circus showcase, returns featuring a troupe of 28 African performers with flying acrobats, thundering drums, aerial pole stunts and gravity-defying pyramids. Plus, an African Village pre-show starts the festivities in the theater courtyard, with African drummers, musicians playing instruments such as the 21-string kora, and performers on stilts.
All-time guest favorite groups are also featured for the final blowout season. Stix on Steel, from Trinidad and Tobago, rocks the stage with the music of dozens of steel drums, and Island Fire, with native musicians and dancers from Tahiti, Samoa and Hawaii, features two world-champion Fire Knife Dancers who dance while twirling flaming knives. Irish Harpist Dearbhail Finnegan, a nationally-renowned musician, performs Celtic/Gaelic music on the large Irish harp, accompanied by Robin Slater on flute and Irish bodhran drum. Ecuador Manta presents the panflute music and rhythms of the Andes region of Ecuador. The new show Osminka, a children’s group from the Czech Republic, presents the lively folk music and dances of Bohemia, playing instruments from fiddles and flutes to bagpipes.
The cultural feast continues at Tastes of the World, an international food pavilion, where offerings include specialties such as Caribbean nachos, Brazilian flatbreads and Polynesian Calzones. Desserts include Crepes Suzette and Gelato.
World-Fest, April 7 – May 1, is open Wednesdays through Sundays. Information: www.silverdollarcity.com 800.831.4FUN(386)