Branson approves $57,000 for inaugural ‘Spring Fling Blooming with Heritage’ Festival

At its March 10 meeting, the Branson Board of Aldermen approved $57,000 to hold the first “Spring Fling Blooming with Heritage” May 15 through May 16, 2026, in downtown Branson. The funds will be used for the fling’s advertising, marketing, decorations and the actual running of the event. They are coming from the city’s Tourism Tax Contingency Fund, a fund specifically intended for launching new attractions and promotions, such as Spring Fling.

The staff report for the event was presented by Heather Hermen, senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB. She said that already have a logo created, and the plans are well underway.

With excitement, she summarized the event’s key aspects. Among other things, this includes a reenactor who will play the role of Patrick Henry, “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death,” face painters, and music performers. She points out that the music was a huge success for Fall Fest. “Having those strolling musicians that were all throughout historic downtown just made it such an incredible experience,” she said.

She said the event will incorporate the red, white, and blue for America’s Patriotic 250th and have a similar format to the one used so successfully for the Fall Fest event, with different colors and other seasonal elements. She said that there will be balloon arches everywhere, reenactors, pinwheels all throughout the flower beds, selfie stations, places for people to take pictures and lots of patriotism.

City leaders seemed overwhelmingly pleased. Mayor Larry Milton said, “It’s going to be a lot of fun and something for us to invite and tell people all about, and it just falls into our red, white and blue patriotism and the 250th.”

Historic Downtown Business Owner Linda Cherry spoke to the Board with great emotion, explaining that the businesses are ready to lead the way. She explained that many are putting their own money into making the festival succeed, with most spending at least $1,000 on items like banners, lights and flowers. As one example, she points out that Dicks 5 and 10 is spending over $20,000 on new lights.

City administrator Cathy Stepp said how delighted she was to see the Historic Downtown merchants all so fully invested, supportive of the event, and taking things into their own hands, making historic downtown something nobody ever imagined it could be. “Always the credit goes back to you all. So, thank you for your continued investment, your patience, time and understanding, as difficult as it was. We are just getting started. What a year it’s going to be for downtown between this and Harley [Harley-Davidson National Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) Rally in Historic Downtown Branson September 10 through September 13, 2026]. I love it. So, thank you, everybody, for your efforts,” she added.