The Arkansas Democrat Gazette today reports that unless about a half million dollars in donations comes in between now and the end of October, the Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs will NOT OPEN its doors next year. The article says the attraction lost over $100,000 last year, and is at just over a $500,000 loss for this season. I can tell you this, when I visited the play for the first time in early spring, there were fewer than 300 people in a theater that could hold at least 1,000. They apparently had, as a cost cutting measure, put dialog and music on a pre-recorded track, and the actors just "mouthed" their parts as the CD played. NOT very impressive to me. There were only a few "chill up the spine" moments in the play, and the acting was sub par, too. However, the grounds looked well maintained, and I did go through the main gift shop and they had well stocked shelves and a variety of items for sale. I purchased a play program, and that looked good, too. I was told by a friend at work that the Texans dinner show was good when she went to it. The Texans, formerly of Branson, have been playing at a theater on the Passion Play property for a few years. It appears tourism in Eureka Springs is good downtown this year, and the motorcycle events and shops and restaurants appeared to me to be doing well. The Fun Spot, as I reported here earlier, was open again under the "Pig Trail" name. A spokesman for the play said in the newspaper article that they had borrowed all the money they could. A spokesman says if you just send a dollar in an envelope in the mail, it would be appreciated. Sad commentary on the state of things...a major attraction in Eureka for 45 years! Truely this is a "signs of the times" thing, in this terribly depressed economy we have now. :'(
I don't know that it's all depressed economy. The town of Eureka Springs has evolved(or devolved, it's all relative) and the type of folk that live and visit there has changed. With more and more of 412 getting four laned or upgraded along with 67 north of Harrison getting 4 lane divided, it's now out of the way and lots of folks don't remember or know the back way to Branson anymore.
If someone new moved to Fayetteville and wasn't aware of the Great Passion Play before hand, they sure wouldn't learn about it cause the has been a serious lack of marketing over the years.
In addition, although it's not new, the Railroad in Eureka Springs hasn't had an operating steam locomotive in years. Memories of the good old days. I should thank my parents for the trips to Dogpatch, Passion Play, Eureka Spring RR, SDC, and Shepard of the Hills. I've shared a few of these with my kids, some have held up to the test of time and some not. As an adult I have returned to Eureka Springs, got married there and have attended a scooter rally. Made a trip to Turpentine animal sanctuary. I guess somethings are always evolving.
Quote from: crsjrr on September 26, 2012, 07:40:44 PM
In addition, although it's not new, the Railroad in Eureka Springs hasn't had an operating steam locomotive in years. Memories of the good old days. I should thank my parents for the trips to Dogpatch, Passion Play, Eureka Spring RR, SDC, and Shepard of the Hills. I've shared a few of these with my kids, some have held up to the test of time and some not. As an adult I have returned to Eureka Springs, got married there and have attended a scooter rally. Made a trip to Turpentine animal sanctuary. I guess somethings are always evolving.
If you like railroad excursions, the one from Springdale to Van Buren is a good one when the leaves are right and the trees here in Fayetteville are getting a touch of color in them. For the life of me, I haven't figured out how that haven't figured out a game day train that stops and departs from Dickson in Fayetteville for river valley folk.
I hate the news of the Passion Play, but I think lots of it was lack of marketing but the weather the past two years could have impacted it as well with it being so gosh darn hot even at night when typically in the Ozarks it's pleasant in the evenings.
I got a neat concept to bring Dogpatch back to life in a new way but not in Newton Co.
Chittlins: Let's hear about your Dogpatch idea. Not at the old site in Newton County, though? Interesting...do you think the old hillbilly theme would go over now? Most people that were young in the 1990s did not know about the comic strip, and the theme park greatly suffered.
That's too bad, Junior. I hate to hear that. I'm afraid the same thing is going to happen to Shepherd of the Hills. That's why I decided I better go see it this summer. Hubs and I are going again this Fall when the leaves change. The crowd was so low that I don't know how they made payroll. I'm not sure what it takes to keep places like this going. The things that I didn't like about SOH were the tracked background music (much better to hear the night sounds w/o it), and the references to Branson that was written into the script. They also took out some of the hillbilly slang. I'm sure it was "modernized" to appeal to a younger, un-informed crowd. What does it take to keep a younger generation interested?
the idea? well it's just a concept of mine. It based off of Timberfalls Adventure Park in the Dells. It would a highly themed mini golf course based on the fictional setting of Dogpatch, It would have a raft ride or flume and rollercoaters all integrated with the golf courses but more efcort would be put into the blending aspect to go along with a lodge with indoor waterpark also themed accordingly along with several smaller scale flats indoors. Outdoor attractions would be year round weather permitting along with the year round operation of the lodge and waterpark.
Perhaps they should make it seasonal and not have such a big operating season?
Let's be honest, it is not in a PRIME area for tourism.
Could the same thing happen at Shepherd of the Hills? YES. Mark Trimble, who owned the homestead in the years I lived and worked in Branson, saw, just like the powers that be at SDC, that the arts and crafts and "back to the hills" movements of the 50s, 60s, and 70s, had passed, and interest in historical attractions was lessening by the mid-80s. He sold out and retired to enjoy his airplanes and his classic cars. His son, Kelly, that I went to high school with, has a land appraising business in Branson. Nothing tourist oriented. Gary Snadon, whose daughter I went to high school with, was involved in real estate and property development back in those days, and was instrumental in bringing Ride the Ducks to Branson. Gary wisely diversified attractions at Shepherd of the Hills. Let's face it, the tower, zipline, and Christmas lights have NOTHING to do with the Shepherd of the Hills storyline or theme. The arts and crafts at Shepherd of the Hills have been pulled back from the old days, and you still have horseback rides. For the traditionalists, you still have homestead tours and the play...always the real roots of the property. I understand when taking the tours there is a stop for a humorous skit with moonshiners now...similar to the train robbery at SDC. It does not surprise me that the play has been altered over the years, with recorded background music, and other alterations. The newspaper article I read about Passion Play said the reason the play in Eureka suffers is because less people will come back to see the same old thing...at other venues the story can and does change to attract repeat business. Change a play about the life of Christ, and you would be messing with big trouble and would abandon those hardcore fans that do come back. Anyway, I hope that as time passes and trends in tourism change and evolve in Branson, that there WILL be a place for Shepherd of the Hills, because it truely is the place where big time tourism STARTED IN BRANSON right after publication of the book when people started coming to the homestead to see the places Harold Bell Wright was inspired by. "The story, so very old, is still in the telling..."
Quote from: Swoosh on September 27, 2012, 05:22:47 PM
Perhaps they should make it seasonal and not have such a big operating season?
Let's be honest, it is not in a PRIME area for tourism.
Eureka is a huge biker destination these days, not your demographic for this attraction. Like I said, it's in flux. It's becoming more artsy and that's not a in a crafts type of vien and has a very diverse population. There's less an less that caters to the types of folks that would be GPP's target audience. We locals call it our little San Francisco. It's local politics are often in and best described as a state of chaos. The recent fiasco over a city deer hunt(cause they are thick like rats in NY's tunnels)is a comedy to follow here down the road. I'm fond patron of Wilson and Wilson, I love Blakeley's folk art. Some of you remember the days her parents kept shop at SDC with decoys and such. I go to visit and pick up a new print from time to time and she is the only reason I hit the War Eagle show at the Mill.
I will say this, of the three friends and one sister in law that have had their weddings at Thorncrown, none are still married. ;D Go look at Fayetteville's finist architect's work of art but don't get married there.
(http://i.factmonster.com/images/thorncrown-chapel.jpg)
I'm really sorry to hear that about the Passion Play. I really enjoy it, and have been there 3 or 4 times though it's been 25 years or more since my last visit. I will say though that the dialog and music has been on tracks since at least the 70's, maybe longer or even always. I've never seen it when it wasn't and the first time I saw it was in the mid-70's.
It would be my guess that the recent slow economy is only a minor reason for their struggles, and the rest of Eureka's as well. The principle reason would be Branson. Thirty-five years ago, Eureka Springs was really bustling with tourist activity, but as Branson "boomed", Eureka struggled to keep up. I imagine it's remoteness with respect to Branson has something to do with that as well...it's not as easy to get to from the larger market areas.
But if Eureka is suffering due to Branson's success, it's not the first to do so. Believe it or not, Hollister used to be the more important town in the area in the early 1900's. And then, Rockaway Beach, a hot tourist destination in the 40's, 50's, and early 60's became a victim.
Anyway, I hope things turn around for the Passion Play and Eureka because both are fun to visit.
I've been to see a passion play twice at a really big church up in the KC area, for free, during Christmastime. I can't imagine anyone really being all that interested in paying to see a passion play at any other time of year aside from Easter and Christmas.
I hope things turn around for both of them, also. I haven't seen the Passion Play, but I do understand why people would want to see it at times other than Easter and Christmas. I've been coming to AR and MO since I was two years old. My best memories of childhood (don't read this mom) are of being in those areas with my grandparents. Being the first grandchild opens up opportunities until the next one comes along! ;D I love visiting Eureka Springs - I love the quirkiness of it. It reminds of Manitou Springs, CO. The last few times I visited it was so crowded that it was hard to move around. The shuttle is slow - we waited nearly an hour to get on at one location, and several people couldn't get on bc. it was full. Accessibility is a big issue, but I don't know how to fix that w/o losing the historical integrity of the town. This issue in itself is going to keep away the baby boomers. There isn't a lot for families to do in town (and there's that stroller - accessibility thing... The surrounding area is stunning! The lakes, parks, wilderness areas, etc. Aren't families doing that kind of thing anymore? That's what drew our family to vacation sites. I've been to the parks and lakes around there - sometimes I felt like we owned the lake. Nary another boat in site...Heaven to us, but hard on the area. Without the baby boomers and young families, I guess that leaves it wide open for an un-targeted demographic population.
It wasn't that many years ago, when I would mention we were heading to Branson that someone would say, "Oh, are you going to see that Passion Play?" So, there was a time when everything in that southwestern corner was lumped together. I guess I've rambled on long enough...
From what I have read and seen, the three music shows and the Passion Play at Eureka are all suffering. Someone brought up the idea, I think Swoosh, of cutting the Passion Play season back. I think that is a good idea...just run it in perhaps June July and August when folks will come out for it. No reason holding six months of shows with just 150 people in the audience when you can have it half that time and maybe pull in 500-750 per show.
I was an actor in the play last year and there was only 50 people there. My suggestion is to have someone buy the rights to the play and move it to Branson or have hershland buy it and put it in the amphitheater where the GAC show is
Having SDC obtain the rights and perform this at Echo Hollow is a good idea. However, I would hate to see Eureka Springs loose this production, a part of the history, culture, and tourism of that town since the 1960s. I hope they are able to keep it there, and maybe just perform during peak season when it would be profitable so it can continue for years to come. Could you imagine if someone obtained the rights to Shepherd of the Hills and performed it somewhere else? What a big loss for Branson, even though it too is not the draw it used to be.
I know I understand but when I acted in it, it was July and only 50 people were in the audience would that be peak season or are you saying Easter and Christmas?
July?!? Only 50 people?!? "The future's uncertain, the end is always near..."
Quote from: Junior on October 17, 2012, 04:16:26 PM
July?!? Only 50 people?!? "The future's uncertain, the end is always near..."
I could see an outfit like the one that runs Biblical themed shows in Branson possibly pulling something like that off. Just not in Eureka.
A buddy at work told me he saw something in the media that said unless the Passion Play gets some donations quickly, it will close in a matter of a few weeks. They need about a half million...donated so far $18,000. Send in your pennys, kids!
Quote from: Junior on October 25, 2012, 09:20:18 AM
A buddy at work told me he saw something in the media that said unless the Passion Play gets some donations quickly, it will close in a matter of a few weeks. They need about a half million...donated so far $18,000. Send in your pennys, kids!
The $500,000 figure is what was stated in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette article earlier this month. I don't see that amount of money being raised before next spring.
GULP! Goodbye, Passion Play? Wonder what will become of the museums, other exhibits, Berlin Wall segment, old country church, statue, and so on?
So has anyone heard? How did the Passion Play end the 2012 season...how much in debt, and will they be back again next year?
A;l I know is that they are still trying for donations to help it stay open as of yesterday.
My aunt acted in it the final day of the season and there was talk of selling the sets
I've seen all kinds of proposals of a theme park based on the Bible. There's a part of me that hates to think of park themed this way cause it kinda marginalizes it all. That's just my opinion, I know they have the other parts of the complex there but I think something like the Passion Play needs to be something that's a part of something bigger much like the amplitheater show at SDC is. It's a fine line to come up with something that wouldn't be just plain tacky.
Chittins: So if the play does not happen next year, the other attractions like the dinner show, old church, statue, Berlin Wall, the Bible museum, Christian Art museum and other attractions will stay open? I haven't seen anything about it in the local media in weeks.
Quote from: Junior on November 25, 2012, 05:17:14 PM
Chittins: So if the play does not happen next year, the other attractions like the dinner show, old church, statue, Berlin Wall, the Bible museum, Christian Art museum and other attractions will stay open? I haven't seen anything about it in the local media in weeks.
I suppose they could. I think we all agree that Eureka isn't the place for this anymore due to it's evolution and the type of tourists that now visit the city. It's completely an out of the way destination now for those that would likely patronize the Passion Play.
It's official -- the Passion Play is no more. Cornerstone Bank in Eureka Springs has foreclosed and has already started liquidating assets. The power is off.
More from KY3 in Springfield MO:
http://www.ky3.com/news/ky3-famous-passion-play-in-eureka-springs-is-out-of-business-20121203,0,3776673.story
Quote from: biscuitcreek on December 03, 2012, 08:00:45 PM
It's official -- the Passion Play is no more. Cornerstone Bank in Eureka Springs has foreclosed and has already started liquidating assets. The power is off.
More from KY3 in Springfield MO:
http://www.ky3.com/news/ky3-famous-passion-play-in-eureka-springs-is-out-of-business-20121203,0,3776673.story
so sad...what a shame! :(
I agree...this is sad news. Eureka used to be a nice change a pace where one could go and simply kick back and relax. Not so anymore. The last couple of times we were there was pretty disappointing to say the least. I have no interest in Harley Davidson costumes and hate the fact that you cannot enjoy a quite meal outdoors without some idiot going down mainstreet with straight pipes acting like they have a hot bike. They (the city), and many of you may think that is where the money is, but the numbers prove otherwise. Closed stores, hotels and now this....what a shame.
Sad news. The KY3 piece said the contents of the art and Bible museums have been confiscated and will be sold off. Very, very sad news. Will they have a "garage" sale to get rid gift shop stuff and other items? If they do, I'd love to go and see what I can pick up.
Quote from: DeweyBald on December 04, 2012, 12:08:24 AM
I agree...this is sad news. Eureka used to be a nice change a pace where one could go and simply kick back and relax. Not so anymore. The last couple of times we were there was pretty disappointing to say the least. I have no interest in Harley Davidson costumes and hate the fact that you cannot enjoy a quite meal outdoors without some idiot going down mainstreet with straight pipes acting like they have a hot bike. They (the city), and many of you may think that is where the money is, but the numbers prove otherwise. Closed stores, hotels and now this....what a shame.
You'll get no arguement from me. They went all bikes and have a large gay community. If you are not part of this Eureka isn't much for you these days. There's some good restuarants that some of us hit every so often mainly, but it's more and more a bar scene.
Eureka has long been an artist and writers colony, and, over the years, has become known as a "gay community," probably the "gay center" in Arkansas. The city government has long been a hot bed, where officials argue with each other, and there is an "alternative lifestyle weekend" each year that the town welcomes people to attend. Citizens and city government folk have discussed such things as decriminalization of marijuana, and other controversial subjects. The town apparently had an "in city limits deer hunt" to thin out the wildlife, which has become a nusance. Eureka has a long, unusual history, and, like other towns, will continue to change as people change. I agree that even though it is a tourist town, when you push so many biker events, when you have alternative lifestyle events, that will turn off many, many people. Eureka has had a lot of closed shops, businesses, and so on, and it is too bad. The Great Passion Play and the associated museums, shops, and so on, made for one of the largest tourist businesses in town, and now it is gone. I wonder if the Texans Dinner Theater at the Passion Play is gone, too? The other two music shows in town are struggling as well. I do love the old historic buildings, the galleries, the restaurants, music shows, and other activities like Thorncrown Chapel, Onyx Cave, Leatherwoods Park, Pivot Rock, but the loss of the Passion Play is a great loss. Dinosaur World is now joined by the Passion Play as a dead zone in the community.
Even when the Passion Play was at its peak of fame, in the late '70s, Eureka Springs was full of pagans and witches and leftover hippies. It's always been the San Francisco of the South, never a straight-laced Christian conservative town like Branson.
If not for the bikers, I think the town would be completely dead by now, tourism-wise. It was always out of the way to get to; the other destinations in the area have just gotten easier to get to, comparatively.
Big write up about this topic in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette yesterday. Pretty much the same things in article as previously discussed. Locals hope a buyer can be found...they were one of the bigger employers in Eureka. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
Couple of more articles in the ADG today. It basically is the folks that ran the PP saying the town's restrictions on tour busses and it's gay rights advocacy measures has made it hostile to church groups. I'm not getting into whether that is right or wrong but it is a factor.
Can't help but think that SOTH found provide something similar with more success in Branson.
Another ADG article today says donors have given funds to re-light the Christ of the Ozarks statue, at least through the Christmas season. Seems they could not stand the thought of the statue being in the dark. Donations can be made to keep the statue lit as things with the Passion Play property continue to change and develop. Right now, everything else is closed, empty, and up for sale. If you have a spare five to six million, the entire place is yours!
Read an article in the Springdale, AR newspaper that said the Christ of the Ozarks statue is now lit up again at night...enough donations came in to take care of that issue. Now, anyone with a spare $5 million want to buy the entire Passion Play grounds? Ah, come on, while you are at it, we will throw in nearby Dinosaur World for an additional $200,000. It's a steal! However, since vandals torched the Dinosaur World Gift Shop, you will have to rebuild it. ;) :-\ :'(
Another article in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette says Randle Christy, top dog at The Gospel Station Network of Ada, OK, is trying to raise $75,000 that is the interest on the money owed on the Passion Play deficit. If raised, he plans on getting control of the facility and reopening in the spring. Christy is also pastor at Union Valley Baptist Church at Ada. He raised just over $9,400 at a meeting Thursday in Eureka Springs. On Friday, donation level had reached just under $17,000, according to Mike Bishop (Pine Mt. Theater) Eureka's C of C president. Christy says the play is $2.9 million in debt to Cornerstone Bank. He says he'll give $100,000 in free publicity to the Passion Play on his radio network of 25 stations that operate in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Christy says improvements need to be made to the play each year, and that in 2013, volunteers will have to give their service at the play to help keep things going. Oh, by the way, the $75,000 is due in full on MONDAY.
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Don't get me wrong, I'd like to see the play continue, but frankly, it sounds to me like Christy is expanding his empire. It is a known fact Gospel fans are extremely loyal, and to have 25 radio stations in states that have always been important to tourism in the Ozarks is a way for him to build up the business and reap the benefits. Plus, he probably will pick up the defunct business as a bargain basement price, and will have volunteers to run it at no cost, at least at first. We will see what happens here.
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One more thing...I thought the Bible Museum on the Passion Play grounds had a copy of the rare Gutenburg Bible. Seems to me if they would go to Christies Auction House in New York and auction this one item their money problems would be over. Any thoughts?
Quote from: Junior on December 29, 2012, 11:14:29 AM
Another article in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette says Randle Christy, top dog at The Gospel Station Network of Ada, OK, is trying to raise $75,000 that is the interest on the money owed on the Passion Play deficit. If raised, he plans on getting control of the facility and reopening in the spring. Christy is also pastor at Union Valley Baptist Church at Ada. He raised just over $9,400 at a meeting Thursday in Eureka Springs. On Friday, donation level had reached just under $17,000, according to Mike Bishop (Pine Mt. Theater) Eureka's C of C president. Christy says the play is $2.9 million in debt to Cornerstone Bank. He says he'll give $100,000 in free publicity to the Passion Play on his radio network of 25 stations that operate in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Christy says improvements need to be made to the play each year, and that in 2013, volunteers will have to give their service at the play to help keep things going. Oh, by the way, the $75,000 is due in full on MONDAY.
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Don't get me wrong, I'd like to see the play continue, but frankly, it sounds to me like Christy is expanding his empire. It is a known fact Gospel fans are extremely loyal, and to have 25 radio stations in states that have always been important to tourism in the Ozarks is a way for him to build up the business and reap the benefits. Plus, he probably will pick up the defunct business as a bargain basement price, and will have volunteers to run it at no cost, at least at first. We will see what happens here.
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One more thing...I thought the Bible Museum on the Passion Play grounds had a copy of the rare Gutenburg Bible. Seems to me if they would go to Christies Auction House in New York and auction this one item their money problems would be over. Any thoughts?
Thought I had read that the Bible collection was already getting broke up.
This is tounge in cheek but a half serious suggestion as well. The folks behind the Noah's Ark themepark idea thats been floated in Tenn and now Kentucky should look into this and move the concept here and incorporate it there. Lots of the property around the place seems to be for sell as well.
http://arkencounter.com/
But hey, during the car company bailout, I though they should let Chrysler go under and have someone buy the Jeep division and Hummer Division from GM and merge them into a focused brand complete with atvs and utility vehicles. My ideas are different.
Has anyone heard if they raised the $75,000 by Monday's deadline? Hmmmmm.
Quote from: Junior on January 01, 2013, 08:47:53 AM
Has anyone heard if they raised the $75,000 by Monday's deadline? Hmmmmm.
One of the north Arkansas radio stations reported this morning that the deadline was extended to noon today since the banks were closed on January 1st.
I heard on KY3 this morning on my out the door that the Gospel Network did indeed raise the funds. There is an article on the site from last night (http://www.ky3.com/news/ky3-great-passion-play-in-eureka-springs-is-close-to-raising-enough-funds-to-reopen-20130102,0,2028928.story) saying they were close, but no updated story online yet.
The $75,000 was raised to prevent the foreclosure. However, another $200,000 must be raised in order to open for the 2013 season. One article I read online said that more volunteers and less paid staff/cast would be necessary in order to put on a play in 2013.
http://www.hometowndailynews.com/13143/effort_now_begins_to_open_great_passion_play_for_2013_season.html
http://5newsonline.com/2013/01/03/the-great-passion-play-resurrected/
The local Fox affiliate in NW Arkansas said the play is back! Did not hear details. Follow up ASAP. ;)
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(ADD) Ah...just read the link on Chittlins post above. It answers all questions! Thanks! ;)
Here's an update from KY3 in Springfield. Goal is to open the first weekend in May with 3 shows a week (definitely a scaled back schedule from previous years).
http://www.ky3.com/news/ky3-passion-play-owners-plan-to-resume-shows-in-may-in-eureka-springs-20130103,0,3838367.story
Arkansas Democrat Gazette today reports the folks operating the Passion Play at Eureka Springs have paid back the tax debt and bank on things, but still owes $2.5 million on loans. The operators say they have had a good season, with average attendance last month at 500 per show, up about 20%. He said if the play did not have the debt on the loan, everything would be fine. The total paid on tax debt and what was owed to Cornerstone Bank at Eureka amounted to just under $114,000.
Quote from: Junior on June 25, 2013, 03:18:23 PM
Arkansas Democrat Gazette today reports the folks operating the Passion Play at Eureka Springs have paid back the tax debt and bank on things, but still owes $2.5 million on loans. The operators say they have had a good season, with average attendance last month at 500 per show, up about 20%. He said if the play did not have the debt on the loan, everything would be fine. The total paid on tax debt and what was owed to Cornerstone Bank at Eureka amounted to just under $114,000.
Here's hoping for a strong summer season. I read that article and they hope the attendance creeps up to 650 a show. Still, there's very little advertising here locally.
Chittlins-you from Eureka?
Quote from: DeweyBald on June 26, 2013, 10:31:03 PM
Chittlins-you from Eureka?
No,Fayetteville... but I consider all of NWA local really, I work with a guy that drives to Fayetteville from Holiday Island to work.
I live in NW AR, too. Anything west of the imaginary line from Harrison to Fort Smith is home territory as far as I am concerned.
Bluegrass widow went to high school in Elkins (outside Fayetteville). For me the line for 'home' goes from Tulsa on the West to Harrison in the East, north to Springfield and South to aound I-40. I may live in OKC but my heart's still in the Ozarks
I've got in laws that live in Bella Vista, my wife is from Strawberry and my dad was from Mountain View. I've got a lot of Arkansas ties, but I'm Okie born and bred. I live in Cushing between Tulsa and Stillwater. So from Stillwater to about Memphis is "home".
For those wanting a concise history of ES, Brooks Blevin's Hill Folks: Arkansas Ozarkers and Their Image has a chapter devoted to the subject. It makes for interesting reading, including a discussion of the founder of the Great Passion Play, Gerald L.K. Smith, who was, ah...a very...colorful character to say the least.
T.
So colorful, even most politicians were afraid to get too close to him. Now he and his wife are buried in a crypt at the foot of the Christ of the Ozarks statue.
http://www.ozarkssentinel.com/great-passion-play-to-see-7-7-million-visitors.html?fb_source=pubv1
just posted: record attendance, may not be able to read complete article.
http://www.ozarkssentinel.com/passion-play-sets-five-year-record.html
Good to hear. My preacher and I were discussing it last night.
New article in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette "What's Up" magazine said it was a good year for the Passion Play. By cutting overhead and lowering prices for the public, it was the best year for the play since 1983! Revamping the play for next year, brought back the animals that were sold off last year, special effects, more professional presentation...and so on. Opening night is May 2, 2014. 80 performances through October. Ya'll come! Interesting paragraph in the story, too. They will introduce the "Jerusalem Marketplace" which they say is an interactive exhibit that they call "Silver Dollar City in Bible Days." Hmmmmm...we shall see!
Quote from: Junior on December 20, 2013, 09:47:05 PM
New article in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette "What's Up" magazine said it was a good year for the Passion Play. By cutting overhead and lowering prices for the public, it was the best year for the play since 1983! Revamping the play for next year, brought back the animals that were sold off last year, special effects, more professional presentation...and so on. Opening night is May 2, 2014. 80 performances through October. Ya'll come! Interesting paragraph in the story, too. They will introduce the "Jerusalem Marketplace" which they say is an interactive exhibit that they call "Silver Dollar City in Bible Days." Hmmmmm...we shall see!
I'm not very religious, I got my own way of going about things but I enjoyed the Passion Play every time I 've seen it.
I've likely said this before, there's been lots of plans of biblical theme parks, this place already has the a backbone for that in an unlikeliest place around if some of these folks really wanted to do a full park. Eureka is Arkansas' little San Fran. and you'll never see an interstate quality road go up there, but I could see a vastly improved Ark 23 from US 412 w Huntsville with alternating passing lanes.