LAKE OF THE OZARKS, MO – Numerous Best Dam Birthday Bash events are scheduled in various communities around the Lake of the Ozarks from today, Friday, Aug. 6 through Saturday, Aug. 14 in celebration of the 90th anniversary of Bagnell Dam and the creation of the Lake of the Ozarks as well as the State of Missouri’s bicentennial.
Bagnell Dam, located in Lake Ozark, was completed in 1931 and created the “Best Recreational Lake in the Nation,” which was the largest man-made lake at the time. Come celebrate this milestone along with Missouri’s 200th birthday during the Lake of the Ozarks’ Best Dam Birthday Bash.
The weekend gets started with the Best Dam BBQ Birthday Bash at the fairgrounds in Laurie. This tasty barbecue cook-off takes place both Friday and Saturday, August 6 and 7.
On Saturday morning, Aug. 7 there’s the Best Dam 5k Fun Run/Walk at Old Kinderhook. Entry for this fundraiser run/walk is $25 with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. Registration begins at 7:00 a.m. with the run beginning at 7:30 a.m. As this is a true “fun run,” it will be a run or leisurely walk around the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks at Old Kinderhook Resort in Camdenton, so no official times will be recorded.
The Best Dam Motorcycle Ride takes place the same day, Saturday, Aug. 7 at the Zach Wheat Post 624 American Legion in Sunrise Beach. This motorcycle cruise begins at 9:00 a.m. and will highlight some of the most scenic views and rolling hills around the Lake area. The ride is free and breakfast and t-shirts will be available for a small cost.
The Best Dam En Plein Air Art Festival takes place Monday, Aug. 9 through Saturday, Aug. 14. Unique event sites will be featured each day during the festival at a variety of locations from local lodges, Lake-side restaurants, wineries, historic sites and surrounding towns. Artists will be spread out at 20 different venues around the Lake of the Ozarks. The Lake Fine Art Academy & Galleria will be the headquarters for the art festival. The artwork created during the week will be displayed for the Saturday Art Show, Sale and Awards Ceremony. The public is invited to observe the artists at work at the various events and attend the art show, sale and ceremony to vote on viewer’s choice awards. For a list of event locations and schedule of events, visit www.LakeFineArt.net.
On Tuesday, Aug. 10, the date of Missouri’s established statehood, visitors are encouraged to enjoy Missouri’s Ice Cream Day at their favorite participating ice cream parlors around the Lake of the Ozarks in honor of the ice cream cone, the official dessert of the State of Missouri.
The Best Dam Fireworks Display is also scheduled for Missouri’s official birthday on Tuesday, August 10. The largest simultaneous fireworks display to ever take place in Missouri will feature five barges on the main channel of the Lake of the Ozarks located at the 13 mile marker (mm), 26 mm, 34 mm, 38mm and 42 mm and another at the 10 mm of the Niangua arm of the Lake of the Ozarks. The fireworks begin at 9:45 p.m and local radio station KRMS will broadcast live during the celebration and will feature music from Missouri artists. The sponsors of the Best Dam Birthday Bash Fireworks Display include Bear Bottom Resort, Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain Park, One Source Services, Rough Water Dock, Margaritaville Lake Resort, The Lodge of Four Seasons, Captain Ron’s Bar and Grill, Branding Iron Restaurant and Saloon, the City of Osage Beach, Tri-County Lodging Association, Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau, the City of Camdenton, Rock Works and KRMS.
The August party wraps up with the Best Dam Birthday Bash Hot Summer Nights Car Show on Friday, Aug. 13. Hot Summer Nights is an annual summertime tradition at the Lake of the Ozarks featuring classic cars, trucks, motorcycles, family fun and music. This family-friendly cruise-in takes place on the historic Bagnell Dam Strip from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. The five-month Hot Summer Nights series began the second Friday in May and runs through Friday, Sept. 10.
For those looking for some additional fun this autumn, the City of Osage Beach hosts the Best Dam Fall Festival from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9. The free festival takes place at Osage Beach City Park and includes fun and games for children of all ages, pie-eating contests, a petting zoo, a variety of vendors and food trucks and live musical entertainment throughout the day.
For more information on the Best Dam Birthday Bash festivities, visit www.BestDamBirthdayBach.com.
Anyone traveling to the Lake will find accommodations to fit every style and budget. There are full-service large-scale resorts and smaller family-owned and operated resorts as well as charming bed and breakfasts or comfortable cabins and cottages. There is no shortage of fully furnished vacation rental homes and condominiums. For those who prefer sleeping under the stars, there are spacious campgrounds and RV parks interspersed throughout the area. For a complete list of accommodations available at the Lake, visit the “Lodging” tab at www.FunLake.com.
Visitors also can learn more about all the fun events, attractions and activities, as well as lodging and dining options available all year at the “Best Recreational Lake in the Nation” at www.FunLake.com or by calling the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau at 1-800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253).
