Lake of the Ozarks, MO – Missouri Life Magazine announced on Thursday, Oct. 22 that the “Welcome to the Lake of the Ozarks” episode of Missouri Life TV has been nominated for a 2020 Mid-America Emmy Award.
The National Academy of Television and Sciences’ 44th Annual Mid-America Emmy Awards recognize excellence in the television industry within the five-state region of Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas and Louisiana. “Welcome to the Lake of the Ozarks” was nominated under the Magazine Program category. The awards ceremony takes place on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. CST.
“Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks Tri-County Lodging Association is thrilled to learn that our sponsored featured program about the Lake of the Ozarks on Missouri Life TV has been nominated for an Emmy,” says Lagina Fitzpatrick, director of sales for Tri-County Lodging Association. “The creative team at Missouri Life did a fanatic job showcasing the history of the Lake of the Ozarks and some of the amazing activities that families can enjoy at our little piece of paradise.”
Missouri Life TV’s Emmy-nominated episode, which was produced in association with Tri-County Lodging Association (TCLA) and premiered on PBS in November 2019, follows host Meredith Hoenes as she invites viewers to embark on an adventure of discovery as she explores some of the most popular attractions and activities at the Lake of the Ozarks.
The 27-minute long feature begins with a rare look inside Ameren Missouri’s Bagnell Dam, which was completed in 1931 and created the Lake of the Ozarks – the largest man-made lake in the world at the time – by impounding the Osage River for hydroelectric power generation.
From there, viewers meet Steve Thompson, general manager of Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain Park in Camdenton, which was named as one of the top 10 “Crazy, Awesome, and Unexpected Places to Get Married” by Glamour Magazine. Thompson takes the audience on a guided tour highlighting the cave’s many natural formations and claims to fame, including Mystery Lake and the Bridal Chapel, where more than 3,700 couples have exchanged their vows.
The next stop is at Ha Ha Tonka State Park, also in Camdenton, which was voted the fourth-best state park in the country by USA Today and named the “most beautiful place in Missouri” by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine. Ha Ha Tonka’s “castle” ruins are one of the most photographed places in Missouri and the sweeping panoramic views and the blue waters of Ha Ha Tonka Spring bring travelers from far and wide to this scenic park.
The rest of the episode features a visit to Wobbly Boots Roadhouse in Osage Beach to sample some award-winning Ozark barbecue with restauranteur Mark Barrett; a fishing excursion with Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) All-American Champion Marcus Sykora; a behind-the-scenes look at Performance Boat Center, which manufactures and finishes some of the fastest and most powerful boats in the world; and a wakeboarding lesson with professional wakeboarder Kirby Liesmann, owner of Kirby’s School of Wake. Viewers also get a glimpse of a fun day at Big Surf Waterpark in Linn Creek, an evening of musical entertainment at Main Street Music Hall in Osage Beach, and luxury overnight stays at Margaritaville Lake Resort in Osage Beach and The Lodge of Four Seasons in Lake Ozark.
“Our Missouri Life episode perfectly encapsulates why over 5 million vacationers from around the world visit the Lake of the Ozarks every year,” says Fitzpatrick. “There is such a wide recreational appeal for people of all ages because there are so many different ways you can experience and enjoy the Lake of the Ozarks.”
Those interested in viewing the Emmy-nominated “Welcome to the Lake of the Ozarks” episode can do so here:
The Lake of the Ozarks Tri-County Lodging Association was formed in 1993 and exists to promote and develop Camden, Miller and Morgan counties as a desirable travel and tourism destination. For more information about the Lake of the Ozarks, as well as year around attractions and information on all lodging and dining options available at the Lake, please visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau‘s website, www.FunLake.com, or call 1-800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253).
Missouri Life Magazine explores and celebrates the people, places, history and destinations that make Missouri unique. Missouri Life has received many awards from state and international organizations, including winning the International Regional Magazine Association’s Magazine of the Year Award on six separate occasions. To learn more about Missouri Life Magazine, to view more Missouri Life TV episodes or to subscribe, visit www.MissouriLife.com.
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