For the first time in more than 20 years, cruises from Branson to Rockaway Beach will be available, as early as mid- to late-October. The news of the upcoming delivery of the first of two sight-seeing boats to be included in the Gage’s Branson Landing Marina and Shoppes complex was announced during the MDA telethon events over Labor Day Weekend.
“It will be the first public sight-seeing cruises since the original lake Queen in Branson, more than 20 years ago,” said Rhonda Hartzell, director of marketing for Gage’s Branson Landing Marina and Shoppes.
Branson’s Landing Princess, a 100-foot luxury yacht, will be arriving late this month and will be ready for operation a few weeks later. Hartzell said an area will be temporarily set up for boarding while the rest of the complex is still under construction.
The second sight-seeing boat, the new Branson’s Lake Queen, a 100-foot double-decker paddle wheeler, is also being constructed.
“The paddle wheeler will follow, but the date is undetermined,” Hartzell said. “Starting next spring both will offer dinner and luncheon cruises.”
Both boats will be able to accommodate 149 passengers. Special events such as weddings, business meetings, birthday parties and other kinds of special events will be able to be held on the boats.
The complex, which is currently under construction and is estimated to be completed within the next few months will include several businesses such as Shorty Small’s Restaurant and Pub, Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Parlor, Denny’s Harley Davidson store, an 18-slip marina for pontoon boat rentals as well as have a stationary dock-side event center on the south end of the second floor of the complex. The center includes a floor to ceiling glass banquet room called the Fountain Room.
“People on board will be able to view the fountains at Branson Landing,” she said. “That is one of the features that are fun for people.”
The center piece of the complex will be the old Lake Queen which is currently a undergoing restoration and remodeling of excess of $150,000. The Branson icon, which hasn’t cruised Taneycomo for more than 20 years, will be stationary inside of the complex. Visitors will be able to see a bit of Branson’s history as they board the 1958 paddle wheel.
“There will be artifacts, history, photographs and memorabilia of sight-seeing cruises of the White River and Lake Taneycomo,” Hartzell said, recalling what it was like to watch the original paddle wheel on Lake Taneycomo during its glory days.
The original Lake Queen cruised the local waters for decades before sitting idle for many years.
“It has been sitting in Roark Creek, near the end of Branson Landing, for many, many years deteriorating,” Hartzell said. “When Gages found out it was scheduled for demolition, they decided to rescue it and restore her since it was a part of their family’s history.”
The grandfather of Justin and James Gage, Fred Stewart, built Lake Queen. The Gages are partnering with SkipperLiner Industries out of LaCrosse, Wisc., on the entire complex.
Information courtesy of Branson Daily News